Up next is a history of Indian migration and cuisine in Britain. If – like me - you’re a second-gen who didn’t live through the 1960/70/80/90s and frankly don’t care, feel free to skip ahead or watch puppies on TikTok whilst your parents read. Those who remain, please read, reminisce, and share memories. Perhaps, talk to strangers nearby and compare similar or different cultural perspectives. I’ve even distracted my generation, so openly use phrases like ‘Anne, remember in our day…’ or ‘Kuljeet, what was that place called on Leicester’s Curry Mile where we first kissed …’ without shame..

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The 1948 British Nationality Act allowed Commonwealth citizens to migrate to Britain. Many migrated from the Indian subcontinent in the following decades: 380,000+ by 1971 and 1+ million by 2001 - four of whom were my grandparents in 1964. Grouped as ‘Indian’, these migrants and their recipes settled throughout Britain; when did you last fancy a Pakistani or Sri Lankan meal? ‘Indian’ restaurants soon appeared nationwide, particularly in migrant populated areas like Manchester, Leicester and Coventry – Yes, funny, I live in London with family in these cities. These restaurants initially catered to the migrant work force, like ‘Rajdoot’ serving Manchester’s Indian millworkers – my grandfather included. Restauranteurs then Westernised their menus, dining experience and opening hours to accommodate British customers, for example Pakistani Brummies inventing the late-night Balti in the 1970/80s. This £4.2 billion industry allowed further expansion of Indian restaurants, often by second/third generation migrants. Today, Indian cuisine is a British favourite: 36% of British restaurants are Indian, whilst Indians account for only 2.1% of the British population.

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History lesson and TikTok videos over, please use my exhibition to bite into the spicy tale of whether racist attitudes and culinary responses to them, made Britain a nation of ‘Curry Munchers’.

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