A Glaswegian chef who is believed to have invented the chicken tikka masala - one of Britain's most beloved curry dishes - has died at the age of 77. Ali Ahmed Aslam, owner of famed Glasgow's Shish Mahal restaurant, passed away on Monday, December 19.
He opened the curry house in 1964, picking up the mantle from his father, Noor Mohammed, who ran what was considered to be the city's first "proper" Indian restaurant - The Green Gates. In the 1970s, Ahmed Ali, also known as Mr Ali by locals, is said to have invented the now legendary dish, which changed the British curry landscape forever.
It is believed that the dish came about after a customer complained their chicken tikka was too dry, reports Glasgow Live. As a solution, Mr Ali and his chefs created a new sauce using a can of Heinz tomato soup and extra spices.
Read more: Chef Paul Kitching has died - tributes are pouring in from the restaurant world
The restaurant's unique new dish then shot up in popularity across the UK, becoming a curry house staple and was once unofficially declared Britain's favourite national dish. While the restaurant and a few other prominent individuals tried to get the dish Protected Designation of Origin status back in 2009 - which would have meant restaurants across the world would have had to changed their menus to call the dish 'Glasgow Tikka Masala' - the bid was unsuccessful, with a number of other establishments around the UK also claiming to have invented the dish.
The news of his passing was announced on Shish Mahal's social media accounts, with the restaurant writing: "Mr Ali #shishmahal just passed away this morning we are all absolutely devastated and heartbroken."
Elsewhere, tributes poured in for the "legend", with many curry lovers from Glasgow crediting the restaurant as the place they had their "first proper curry". Writing on Twitter on person 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."
Another on Twitter said: "Rest in peace to the inventor of our real national dish," while a third added: "Very sad news, a Glasgow legend of Indian cuisine."
Many other took to Facebook in response to heartfelt tribute to Mr Ali by the Lost Glasgow Facebook page. Expressing their sympathies one person reminisced about times visiting the Shish Mahal: "Remember queuing in Gibson Street to get after the pubs had shut, my introduction to curry, can still remember the décor and that unique smell. Journey safe sir."
Another added: "Many a Saturday night I spent at the Shish having a chicken korma. Best curry in town. RIP Mr Ali." And a third person wrote: "So very sad, my condolences to Mr Ali’s family. I have many treasured memories of time spent at the Shish in the 70s. My first curry experience."
Generations of local curry lovers have dined at the famed restaurant, which is now situated at Park Road, Kelvinbridge. The business is now run by Asif Ali.
Read next:
-
Manchester's best 15 bars - from rooftop retreat to drinking den
- I compared £10 dinners at Manchester Christmas Markets and one was incredible
- Manchester sandwich shop closes just three months after opening due to rent rise
- Cool and quirky cocktails at Manchester Christmas Markets
-
Team behind successful Chinatown buffet opens city centre sushi takeaway
