Dec 22, 2022
By: srishti.magan@timesinternet.in
Credit: Facebook
Chef Ali Ahmed Aslam, often credited as the inventor of the famous chicken dish the Chicken Tikka Masala, passed away aged 77.
Credit: Facebook
His restaurant, Shish Mahal in Glasgow, UK, announced the news on their Facebook page. The restaurant stated that it will remain closed for 48 hours.
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“Hey Shish Snobs…Mr. Ali Passed away this morning….we are all absolutely devastated and heartbroken” - Restaurant Shish Mahal shared this as a status on Facebook, along with an image of Chef Ali.
Credit: Facebook
As the news made it to social media, people offered condolences and recounted their memorable experiences of meeting Ali and eating at his restaurant - “My very first proper curry experience. 1972. And he remembered me when I went back after 20-odd years. Lovely man.”
Credit: Shish Mahal Gallery
Chicken Tikka Masala has been consistently climbing the popularity charts in Britain. In 2001, British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook called chicken tikka masala “a true British national dish.” In 2021, it was one of the UK’s top 20 family meals.
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While versions of Chicken Tikka Masala may have existed before, Ali is widely regarded as its inventor - having come up with the dish in the 1970s at his restaurant, Shish Mahal.
Credit: Shish Mahal Gallery
In an interview, Ali shared that when one of his customers claimed the chicken tikka was too dry, he decided to cook the chicken in a sauce containing yogurt, cream, and spices. He added they used yogurt and cream as their customers didn’t prefer hot curry.
Credit: BCCL
Ali Ahmed Aslam opened the Shish Mahal in 1964, and since then, it has become a permanent fixture for Glaswegians. As per reports, Ali originally hails from Pakistan. He moved to Glasgow as a young boy, with his family.
Credit: Shish Mahal Gallery
As per the restaurant’s own admission, Shish Mahal, and with it, Ali became a favourite of locals with “generations of Glaswegians knowing him as Mr. Ali.” The restaurant states its motto is “Unspoilt by progress”.
Credit: Shish Mahal Gallery