Tributes have been flooding in following the death of a legendary Glasgow curry house owner, who it's claimed invented curry staple the chicken tikka masala.
Mr Ali Ahmed Aslam, the entrepreneur behind the city's Shish Mahal restaurant, passed away aged 79 on Monday, December 19.
The city restaurateur opened Shish Mahal in Gibson Street back in 1964, taking a leaf out of the book of his father, Noor Mohammed, who ran what many regard as Glasgow's first 'proper' Indian restaurant, the Green Gates.
READ MORE: Glasgow's history with tikka masala and the restaurant claiming to have created it
In the 1970s, Ahmed Aslam, or Mr Ali as local curry lovers dubbed him, is said to have changed British curry forever by inventing the chicken tikka masala.
The now legendary dish is believed to have come about after a customer complained their chicken tikka was a little on the dry side. Mr Ali's chefs responded by creating a unique new sauce using a can of Heinz tomato soup and additional spices, so it is claimed.
Shish Mahal's new creation subsequently shot to popularity across the UK and was once unofficially declared Britain's favourite national dish.
The restaurant and a few prominent Glasgow faces tried to get the dish Protected Designation of Origin status back in 2009 - which would have meant restaurants the world over changing their menus to call it Glasgow Tikka Masala. However, their bid was unsuccessful, with a number of other establishments around the UK also claiming to have invented the dish.
Generations of local curry fans have dined at Shish Mahal, which is now situated at Park Road, Kelvinbridge. The business is now run by Asif Ali.
The sad news of Mr Ahmed Aslam's death was shared to the public via the Shish Mahal's own social media accounts.
On Twitter, Shish Mahal wrote: "Mr Ali #shishmahal just passed away this morning we are all absolutely devastated and heartbroken."
Tributes to Mr Ali have been coming in thick and fast since the announcement, with many citing Shish Mahal as the place their first tasted a proper Indian curry.
Writing on Twitter, @Martinkelly88 said: "I am sure Mr Ali was serving that Friday lunchtime in the summer of 1981 when I had my first proper curry with vegetable pakora, chicken dopiaza & chapatis. It was the start of my love-affair with curries. My deepest sympathies to all his family and friends."
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"Very sad news, a Glasgow legend of Indian cuisine," commented @Kingsparkrovers.
Dozens of others took to Facebook in response to heartfelt tribute to Mr Ali by the Lost Glasgow Facebook page.
Dorothy Rudge said: "Remember queuing in Gibson Street to get after the pubs had shut, my introduction to curry, can still remember the decor and that unique smell. Journey safe sir."
"Many a Saturday night I spent at the Shish having a chicken korma," said Mary Ann Coyle. "Best curry in town. RIP Mr Ali."
Margo McKee wrote: "Best Indian restaurant in Glasgow. First curry I ever had was there."
"So very sad, my condolences to Mr Ali’s family," commented Brian Toye. "I have many treasured memories of time spent at the Shish in the 70s. My first curry experience."
Norma Randall posted: "I had my first ever curry there and from then on I was hooked. Rest in peace."
Jacqueline Wilson added: "Sad news indeed. The best news when we were wee was to hear we were going to the Shish for a curry on a Friday night. Mr Ali was always there to welcome you in. To me it was the home of the Glasgow curry back in the early 70s."
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