Curry king dies after top award.Byline: Gareth Evans Gareth Evans may refer to:
A SOUTH Wales South Wales south n → sud m du Pays de Galles curry king died the day after his award-winning Indian restaurant was named the best in Wales Wales, Welsh Cymru, western peninsula and political division (principality) of Great Britain (1991 pop. 2,798,200), 8,016 sq mi (20,761 sq km), west of England; politically united with England since 1536. The capital is Cardiff. . Popular hotelier Vijay Bhagotra, who ran the Court Colman Manor, in Penyfai, near Bridgend, and before that the Celtic Cauldron in Cardiff, died last Wednesday, aged 65. The Bokhara Brasserie bras·se·rie n. A restaurant serving alcoholic beverages, especially beer, as well as food. [French, from brasser, to malt, brew, from Old French bracier, from Vulgar Latin , located in the hotel, scooped the Wales British Curry Award for the second year running the night before. At a presentation ceremony in London's Battersea Park, Mr Bhagotra received his award from Sir Trevor McDonald Sir Trevor McDonald OBE (born George McDonald on 16 August, 1939) is a Trinidadian-born British television presenter. Until 2005, he was a newscaster with ITN, notable for having been the first black news anchor in the UK. . The event is considered the biggest in the curry calendar, attracting guests such as Tory party leader David Cameron. Mr Bhagotra was born in Kashmir, Pakistan, and came to the UK in 1970 when he enrolled on a hotel management course. He worked in Harrogate, Sheffield and Manchester before settling in Cardiff with Crest Hotels. Mr Bhagotra left after 15 years to set up his own specialist cafe in the Welsh capital's Castle Street. The Celtic Cauldron served a traditional range of food for nearly two decades, before it closed in 2006 when Mr Bhagotra was told his lease would not be renewed. But the self-styled businessman was best-known for the startling star·tle v. star·tled, star·tling, star·tles v.tr. 1. To cause to make a quick involuntary movement or start. 2. To alarm, frighten, or surprise suddenly. See Synonyms at frighten. Grade II-listed manor house he bought in 1999. Court Colman is the former home of the Llewellyn family, who were one-time agents of the formidable Margam Estate. It was revitalised under the guidance and imagination of Mr Bhagotra, his French wife Isabelle and their grown-up grown-up adj. 1. Of, characteristic of, or intended for adults: grown-up movies; a grown-up discussion. 2. children Roneeka and Sanjeev. In a tribute to his multi-cultural background, Mr Bhagotra created 34 themed bedrooms from India, Morocco, Japan, Italy and France - which proved a hit with guests. Chefs at the in-house Bokhara Brasserie have been serving up spicy dishes since 1984. The restaurant has been named among the top 10 curry houses in Britain, having received several accolades. Diners at the Bokhara can see their food being prepared in traditional tandoori tan·door·i adj. Cooked in a tandoor. [Hindi tand  ri, from tand ovens - with the help of special monitors located
around the seating area.
Mr Bhagotra, who lived in Penarth, made friends with some of the biggest names in showbusiness - who recognised his warmth and hospitality. Star guests included musician Stuart Cable, formerly of the Stereophonics, and heavyweight boxing champion Smokin' Joe Frazier - who stayed at the hotel in May. Close friend Jayce Lewis, from nearby Kenfig Hill, paid tribute to an "amazing" person. The musician, who appeared in the Echo last week, said he would dedicate his new single Icon to the hotelier. "I knew Vijay for 10 years and we had an awesome friendship - it is very sad," he said. Mr Bhagotra's funeral takes place at Coychurch Crematorium cre·ma·to·ri·um n. pl. cre·ma·to·ri·ums or cre·ma·to·ri·a A furnace or establishment for the incineration of corpses. crematorium Noun pl -riums or , Bridgend, on Friday at 11am. CAPTION(S): Vijay Bhagotra in the kitchen of the Court Coleman, Bridgend |
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