December 6th, 2010
An Indian vegetarian restaurant has more than doubled its workforce and sales since being seen on television.
Prashad, in Horton Grange Road, runner-up in the Channel 4 series Ramsay’s Best Restaurant, has added to its team of seven, including four members of the Patel family.
Three new waiters and three new kitchen staff are on board and up to four more people are being recruited.
The restaurant has also doubled its dining capacity to cope with growing demand The number of covers has increased from 22 to 40 on the back of higher demand following the programmes in September and October.
Owner Bobby Patel said: “Apart from the quality of our food, the staff are what makes Prashad special. We have a happy and passionate team and everyone works together with great communication and chemistry between the front of house function and the kitchen.
“We strongly believe in empowering our employees, and testament to that is Imran, originally a part-time waiter and now our restaurant manager.
“Appearing on Ramsay’s Best Restaurant has enabled us to create these opportunities and we are very grateful for that. Prashad is now looking at ways to grow the Prashad brand further and diversify into different areas while still keeping within our core speciality of amazing vegetarian Indian cuisine.”
Business advice and support from Bradford Council’s enterprise service Kickstart, has helped the business secure funding for professional services.
Mr Patel said: “The advice and assistance of Peter Briggs, our Kickstart business growth adviser, has been paramount in the expansion of the business.”
Coun David Green, Bradford Council’s executive member for regeneration and economy, said: “It is great to see Kickstart playing a part in business success stories like Prashad and everyone there should be very proud of reaching the final of such a high-profile competition.
“Kickstart has helped hundreds of businesses in recent years and I am delighted the support for Prashad is leading to new jobs being created.”
The business was established in 1992 it has developed into an award-winning restaurant with Mohan and Kaushy working with oldest son Bobby Patel and his wife Minal.
Gordon Ramsay said Prashad’s food was “better than some Michelin-starred Indian restaurants in London.”
Mr Patel said: “Although it was slightly disappointing not to win it was a terrific experience.”
Source: Telegraph & Argus
