The Asian Catering Federation, in association with the UK's number 1 takeaway ordering service JUST EAT, has announced an Edinburgh date for its current road show.

The ticket-only event will take place at the Sheraton Grand Hotel in Edinburgh on Tuesday 9th and follows a similar event in Bristol on 3rd May.

The seminars, designed to show restaurateurs and chefs how to make their businesses more successful, are themed: "Nutrition and Hygiene in catering: Bringing it to the Asian Catering Sector.”

There is no charge for entry and dinner is complimentary, although numbers are strictly limited, so early registration via www.acfederation.org/acf-road-show-with-just-eat-rsvp-form is essential.

Speakers include: Graham Corfield, UK Managing Director of JUST EAT, nutritionist Ruth Tongue MSc, and industry specialists on food hygiene and sanitation.

Graham Corfield will be sharing an insight into local online consumer habits, popular cuisine and dish choices. He will also be talking about how technology can help restaurant owners to grow their business.

Ruth Tongue, with 10 years' industry experience and regularly appearances as a nutrition and health expert for the BBC, will be sharing her knowledge in how to create and market healthier choices.

There will also be guidance on food safety and hygiene from Ashvini Pancholi-Dhillon and Amanda Catling of Nation Sanitation Foundation (NSF); advising how environmental health officers carry out hygiene inspections, and informing restaurant owners how they can ensure they maximise hygiene ratings.

The talks will be followed by a sumptuous 4-course dinner and live entertainment.

The ACF will also use the events as a platform to announce the sixth Asian Curry Awards (ACA) with the winners being announced at a ceremony in London in October.

The awards are open to Bangladeshi, Burmese, Chinese, Filipino, Indian, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Malaysian, Middle Eastern, Nepalese, Pakistani, Singaporean Sri Lankan, Thai, Turkish and Vietnamese restaurants and takeaways.

These are tough times for ethnic restaurateurs, facing increasing competition and severe chef shortages, with 600 curry restaurants having closed in the past 18 months, according to figures from Kingfisher Beer.

“To survive and thrive, restaurant owners must respond to customers' changing customer tastes and chefs need to innovate and produce the exciting, healthy and authentic dishes today's discerning diners demand,” said Yawar Khan, Chairman of the Asian Curry Federation.

Curry lovers can now nominate their favourite restaurant in ACF's Asian Curry Awards 2016 via www.asiancurryawards.com.

The road show and awards are both sponsored by  Goa Premium Beer www.goabeer.com and Square Mile Insurance www.squaremileinsurance.co.uk.

Road show details:

Date: Monday 9th May 2016

Time: Registration starts at 5:45pm

Venue:, 1 Festival Square Edinburgh  EH3 9SR

To register contact the Asian Catering Federation E: info@acfederation.org or T: 0208 395 6820

ENDS

Editors' Notes: Photos available

The Asian Catering Federation (ACF) is a joint initiative of the Federation of Bangladeshi Caterers UK, the Chinese Takeaway Association UK and the Malaysian Restaurant Association.

The ACF strives to deliver real returns for its members within the Asian catering industry, helping them to find financial success, achieve excellence, and build customer loyalty. It aims to unite Asian caterers on one platform; campaign for greater recognition; achieve members' common goals through partnerships with government and other organisations; provide help with training, and create rewarding careers in Asian catering.

ACFs sponsors include Goa Premium Beer www.goabeer.com and Square Mile Insurance www.squaremileinsurance.co.uk

JUST EAT is a web based intermediary between independent takeaway food outlets and customers. It is headquartered in the UK and operates in 13 countries in Europe and South America.  www.just-eat.co.uk

Media Contact:  George Shaw, Avocado Media T 01892 750851  

M: 07860 695555 geo@avocadomedia.co.uk @AvocadoPR

Yawar Khan, Chairman, Asian Catering Federation/ Asian Curry Awards M: 07939 936786

100 Pall Mall, St James's, London SW1Y 5NQ

E: info@acfederation.org W: www.acfederation.org

T: 020 8395 6830 @AsianCatFed

E: info@asiancurryawards.com W: www.asiancurryawards.com

T: 020 7321 3900  @AsianCurryAward