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Curry Chat => Talk About Anything Other Than Curry => Topic started by: scalexkid on January 15, 2017, 09:21 PM

Title: Why the curry house is declining
Post by: scalexkid on January 15, 2017, 09:21 PM
I don't normally read the Guardian, but was looking for advice about Persimmons (Sharon Fruit) actually and this caught my eye.

You may or may not agree with the ideas inside, this is the Guardian after all, but gives some insights as to what some contributors have opinions on.

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2017/jan/12/who-killed-the-british-curry-house
Title: Re: Why the curry house is declining
Post by: Secret Santa on January 16, 2017, 04:27 PM
I had already seen this but got bored with the usual whiney nonsense from the trade that they have to have staff from Bangladesh or wherever or they just can't run their businesses. It's just a ruse to get people easily into this country.

Unless of course we're to believe them when they say that the ever so complicated three-pot cooking style can't be mastered by native Brits? They even defeat their own argument by saying that their best non-Indian/Paksitani chefs are Europeans.

And that it takes up to ten years to learn how to master the Tandoor? Just how retarded are the people they normally employ?  ;D
Title: Re: Why the curry house is declining
Post by: vinotinto on January 16, 2017, 07:33 PM
I agree SS.  Been meaning to write this for a while but I wonder why much is made of years of experience of spicing that Indian chefs have when in reality ,what they are cooking over here (generally) has little resemblance to traditional Indian dishes.  I believe any reasonably good cook can churn out decent Indian food
Title: Re: Why the curry house is declining
Post by: Garp on January 16, 2017, 09:01 PM
A really interesting article.

Thanks for posting.
Title: Re: Why the curry house is declining
Post by: Peripatetic Phil on January 16, 2017, 10:42 PM
I had already seen this but got bored with the usual whiney nonsense from the trade that they have to have staff from Bangladesh or wherever or they just can't run their businesses. It's just a ruse to get people easily into this country.
You have a problem with people coming to this country to work, Santa ?
** Phil.
Title: Re: Why the curry house is declining
Post by: George on January 17, 2017, 06:05 AM
You have a problem with people coming to this country to work....

I do, and that's one reason why I voted for Brexit, I regret supporting curry houses if the price paid by future generations is a population shift which means the UK eventually votes to become an Islamic State and, even if it doesn't, simply becomes far too overcrowded - like hell on earth - not unlike the country most of these people couldn't wait to leave.
Title: Re: Why the curry house is declining
Post by: Peripatetic Phil on January 17, 2017, 09:53 AM
You are, of course, entitled to your opinion, George, as is Santa; sadly I cannot respect you for holding such insular, xenophobic, views.  The vast majority of immigrants to this country have made a very significant contribution to its wealth, in terms of diversity, skills and cultural richness, and I for one welcome their many contributions to the society in which I am privileged to live.  We have, in London alone, restaurants representing the cuisine of almost every country in the world (certainly all those that are renowned for their cuisine) and none of these would or could exist had it not been possible for their founders and staff to migrate to this country in the past.  Many of the skilled workers on whose expertise and experience my health (and even life itself) depends -- doctors, surgeons, dentists, etc. -- are themselves former immigrants (they no longer describe themselves as such, since they are now British by adoption) and I am, of course, profoundly grateful that they made the decision to, and were allowed to, migrate here.

** Phil.
Title: Re: Why the curry house is declining
Post by: dc on January 17, 2017, 04:46 PM
Many of the skilled workers on whose expertise and experience my health (and even life itself) depends -- doctors, surgeons, dentists, etc. -- are themselves former immigrants (they no longer describe themselves as such, since they are now British by adoption) and I am, of course, profoundly grateful that they made the decision to, and were allowed to, migrate here.

But will the countries that all these surgeons, doctors, dentists etc are coming from ever make progress if richer counties like ours keep poaching them?
Title: Re: Why the curry house is declining
Post by: Peripatetic Phil on January 17, 2017, 04:54 PM
But will the countries that all these surgeons, doctors, dentists etc are coming from ever make progress if richer counties like ours keep poaching them?
I don't feel  that we /have/ poached them, per se :  the vast majority of them /qualified/ in this country -- had they not migrated here in the first place, they might never have received the training that has enabled them to excel in their chosen professions.  And of course a large number come here to train and then return to serve their own people ...  But the question is nonetheless a valid one, IMHO.

** Phil.
Title: Re: Why the curry house is declining
Post by: Garp on January 17, 2017, 08:23 PM
I do, and that's one reason why I voted for Brexit, I regret supporting curry houses if the price paid by future generations is a population shift which means the UK eventually votes to become an Islamic State and, even if it doesn't, simply becomes far too overcrowded - like hell on earth - not unlike the country most of these people couldn't wait to leave.

Got to laugh, George. No wonder you are an 'ex' moderator of a BIR curry-based forum when you hold such views.

I think you have been reading too many UKIP pamphlets shoved through your shed door.
Title: Re: Why the curry house is declining
Post by: George on January 18, 2017, 09:05 AM
Got to laugh, George. No wonder you are an 'ex' moderator of a BIR curry-based forum when you hold such views

All you can do is laugh, ridicule and scoff? I know there were strong views on Brexit. I backed the winning side and applaud Theresa May's speech yesterday,

You appear to support the side who turned out to be sore losers.

What exactly about my post, or SS's do yo disagree with and why? SS talks a lot of sense, too.

I suggested there's been a population shift which means the UK will probably, eventually vote to become an Islamic State - not in our lifetimes, or maybe for hundreds of years but I see it as a threat.. Why do you think there's zero chance of that ever happening?

 I also suggested the UK is becoming far too overcrowded - like hell on earth - not unlike the country most of these people couldn't wait to leave. What do you disagree with there? Do you think there's no chance of becoming too overcrowded and that, for example, the NHS can cope with unlimited numbers of people? Do you think Bangladesh is a lovely place, a bit like Switzerland with a high standard of living and nobody in their right mind would want to emigrate?

Title: Re: Why the curry house is declining
Post by: Peripatetic Phil on January 18, 2017, 10:31 AM
Your questions are implicitly addressed to Garp, George, but if I may, I would like to offer my perspective.

The fact that you and I were lucky enough to have born in the UK gives us no greater right to the world's resources than someone born in Syria or Bangladesh or Somalia.  The world's resources have to be shared by all, not apportioned purely by accident of birth.

** Phil.
Title: Re: Why the curry house is declining
Post by: Edwin Catflap on January 18, 2017, 05:25 PM
George I doubt that leaving the EU and coming out of free movement of people from within Europe will have much impact on people from India Pakistan or Bangladesh etc since the last time I looked they weren't in Europe?

Ed
Title: Re: Why the curry house is declining
Post by: George on January 18, 2017, 06:16 PM
The fact that you and I were lucky enough to have born in the UK gives us no greater right to the world's resources than someone born in Syria or Bangladesh or Somalia.  The world's resources have to be shared by all, not apportioned purely by accident of birth.

You raise a very good point and I'm also grateful to Edwin for his input.

I  hope to respond in a couple of weeks time, after I get back from a ski-ing trip..
Title: Re: Why the curry house is declining
Post by: Edwin Catflap on January 18, 2017, 06:24 PM
Are you skiing in Europe George?
Ed
Title: Re: Why the curry house is declining
Post by: tempest63 on January 21, 2017, 06:02 AM
Moving away from the xenophobia, the high street curry house has changed and not for the better IMHO.
Every restaurant and takeaway near to me now present bright orange chicken which has a peculiar aftertaste to it that both me and Mrs. T tend to dislike.
Everything really does taste the same despite each restaurant trying to outdo each other with a growing list of ever more exotically sounding dishes in their repertoire. Maybe If I could find a restaurant that had a 70's or 80's menu, dishes listed in degrees of heat and with a few well prepared dishes rather than an extended list of poorly prepared and equally poorly presented slop, I would start to eat out more. We might even get a bit more of the main ingredient such as chicken or lamb rather than the usual two or three lumps looking lost in a bucket of sauce.

Yes I know...Moany old git.

T63
Title: Re: Why the curry house is declining
Post by: Les on January 21, 2017, 09:07 AM
Moving away from the xenophobia, the high street curry house has changed and not for the better IMHO.
Every restaurant and takeaway near to me now present bright orange chicken which has a peculiar aftertaste to it that both me and Mrs. T tend to dislike.
Everything really does taste the same despite each restaurant trying to outdo each other with a growing list of ever more exotically sounding dishes in their repertoire. Maybe If I could find a restaurant that had a 70's or 80's menu, dishes listed in degrees of heat and with a few well prepared dishes rather than an extended list of poorly prepared and equally poorly presented slop, I would start to eat out more. We might even get a bit more of the main ingredient such as chicken or lamb rather than the usual two or three lumps looking lost in a bucket of sauce.

Yes I know...Moany old git.

T63

You may well be a moany old git, But I agree with you 100%, standards have gone down hill big time, There is no pride or heart in there cooking now, Just knock out some rubbish, call it curry, and sell it to the brits, Just my 2 pennies worth.

Title: Re: Why the curry house is declining
Post by: Peripatetic Phil on January 21, 2017, 10:37 AM
You may well be a moany old git, But I agree with you 100%, standards have gone down hill big time, There is no pride or heart in there cooking now, Just knock out some rubbish, call it curry, and sell it to the brits, Just my 2 pennies worth.

Since Les has already seconded your motion, it remains only for me to third it.  "Moi aussi" :(  The "bright orange chicken", is, I suspect, chicken tikka, which has all but replaced the more traditional (in the BIR sense) part-pre-cooked chicken in many curry houses today, more's the pity.

** Phil.
Title: Re: Why the curry house is declining
Post by: Ghoulie on February 22, 2017, 12:04 PM
I totally agree that UK curry house standards have gone down in the main since the 70s / 80s. 
I was spoiled in that in 1976 I 'emigrated' to the Middle East - Bahrain & Dubai - & travelled all over Middle East, Africa & Far East in my construction related work and was exposed to some of the most fantastic local foods imaginable.  Hence my preference for more 'authentic' dishes than the BIR versions so increasingly devalued today.  To me, it would appear that as the older Bangladeshi, Indian, Nepalese chefs have retired or literally died, the people who have taken over their shoes are often ex waiters who have inherited the curry house or borrowed a few bob and opened a takeaway without the real old school chef knowledge or ability.
In that case, they should be allowed to import 'quality' chefs to improve the situation - we don't need more waiters!
I had it on good authority from an excellent local Bangladeshi chef that a lot of his 1st and 2nd generation uk born Bangladeshi origin colleagues were not too interested in real work, since they could make bundles of money more easily dealing in drugs such as marijuana.

Now re Georges point on 'immigrants' / Islam per se.  As someone who has lived and worked amongst such people for 8 years in my ME days - '76 to '84, they were indeed in those days far happier times there than today - but still not without problems for Westerners, I feel more qualified than most to have an opinion on Georges subject  :-

1. I recently raised on this site the subject of Brick Lane curry houses and extreme anti western views and extreme unwarranted violence videoed against innocent Brit passers-by from curry house staff.  There is strong evidence of radical Bangladeshis present in London.  This cannot be denied or dismissed.  This problem is growing and is more widespread than just London.  One thing is for certain, the media are NOT reporting it - probably under instruction from gov - Just as in the EU, the riots in France, Sweden etc are NOT being covered in the mainstream media.  Probably because of fear of a backlash, or more likely they don't want you to know about the problems the mass immigration of millions of Muslim young men into the EU has caused.  An idiotic move in my mind.  Knowing what I know about their culture and views on the West and attitudes particularly towards women, gays etc.  A recipe for disaster if ever there was one, and the poor innocent citizens of the EU are reaping the effects of Mad Cow Merkels madness.

2. Islam is resurgent and has one aim - to dominate the world.  It hates the decadent Western way of life and it's avowed aim is to destroy it by takeover.  This they will achieve by population growth and are well on their way to achieve this.  Merkel has accelerated their plans by 10s of years with her immigration policy - something she now seems to be regretting.  Too late - the damage is done there, unless the EU has the stomach for drastic repatriation measures.
There are many articles written on Islam and its methods of takeover and historical evidence of them achieving it and also on how they go about it - the steps they achieve and the escalation of demands as they progress their population numbers.  The stages are easy to recognise too - early days in the UK - but the signs are unmistakenly there.  Don't take my word for it - Google it, Watch the many videos on it, Read the articles / books on it - many by alarmed Muslims themselves warning the West about what is coming to them.  The book INFIDEL is a good read by a very courageous Muslim lady - Ayaan Hirsi Ali

A Lebanese Christian ladies view - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abyBT0-_nyA

Winston Churchill had it about right - 100 years ago !!  http://blog.godreports.com/2015/01/winston-churchill-warned-about-dangers-of-radical-islam-over-100-years-ago/

I personally knew Lebanese Christians who were ideally placed to give real views on their arab Muslim neighbours.  Western minded arabs of the Christian faith who spoke the local arabic dialogue - so were completely in tune with the Muslim mindset.  Their opinion was simple - a backward ( retarded even) medieval religious mindset completely opposed to the decadence of the Western world and opposed totally and intolerant to any other religious beliefs.

3.  Hold altruistic Western views on these 'poor' Muslim immigrants - and they will exploit this to the fullest extent - shafting you and pulling your trousers back up without you feeling a thing.  By the time you realise what has been done to you and the country, you will be bowing to the East with your @rse in the air thinking ' How the fcuk did that come about?'

4. Note my avator - bullsh1t is not something I do !
Title: Re: Why the curry house is declining
Post by: Ghoulie on February 22, 2017, 12:14 PM
By all means, bring immigrants in to the UK - in reasonable numbers on an as required 'profession' basis.

The EU problem re immigrants is one of unfettered movement of people across EU borders.  We cannot possibly accept that here with literally millions of mainly Muslim migrants being allowed into the EU - with no doubt the ability to secure paperwork (legit or otherwise) to show they have an EU legal right to travel.  We have enough home grown Islam faith problem people without swelling the numbers outside our control.  We are a target for the Muslim takeover - make no mistake about it.
We don't have the facilities here in UK to accept mass immigration - housing for one - our war vets are living on the streets which is disgusting when immigrants are seemingly given priority, hospitals can't cope as it is, schools are overcrowded, doctors waiting lists are sky high.
Time we sorted the country out and looked after our own first.
Title: Re: Why the curry house is declining
Post by: Peripatetic Phil on February 22, 2017, 12:33 PM
[ -- Islamophobic rant deleted and long snip -- ]  Time we sorted the country out and looked after our own first.
"Our own", Ghoulie ?  May I ask why ?  Why do you believe that "our own" should take precedence, when there are millions and millions of people in the world who are infinitely more worse off than even our poorest citizens.  What gives us the right to abrogate our responsibilities for our fellow citoyens du monde ?  This planet is, for the time being at least, the resource pool on which every living creature known to us depends, and its resources must be distributed equitably, not merely according to accident of birth.

P.S. 
Quote
extreme unwarranted violence videoed against innocent Brit passers-by from curry house staff.
In all the reports which I have read, both at the time and subsequently, it was the curry house staff who came to the aid of the Britons who were being attacked, and most definitely not the perpetrators of the attack.  I continue to reserve judgement as to whether the Britons were indeed entirely innocent, or whether they had in fact provoked, to some lesser or greater degree, the violence attack to which they were subjected.

** Phil.
Title: Re: Why the curry house is declining
Post by: Ghoulie on February 22, 2017, 01:10 PM
? so the waiter who smashed the metal sign over the Brits head was going to his assistance ?.  God help us Phil if your blinkered approach to life is going to be the norm.  You and your like are betraying the country with your liberal views.
Title: Re: Why the curry house is declining
Post by: Peripatetic Phil on February 22, 2017, 01:43 PM
so the waiter who smashed the metal sign over the Brits head was going to his assistance ?.
Can tell me where you have found that the person using the sign as a weapon was identified as a waiter, Ghoulie ?  You may, of course, be quite correct, but without a reference to an authoritative and reliable source, it is impossible to know.  Here is what I have read (in the Evening Standard) :
Quote
A waiter at the Eastern Eye Balti House - outside which the third man was attacked - said he did not know what triggered the incident.  The man, who asked not to be named, told the Standard:
Title: Re: Why the curry house is declining
Post by: Ghoulie on February 22, 2017, 02:33 PM
Phil - I merely state facts as I find them and see them - based on my 1st hand experience in foreign parts over a longer period than most.  Just like you, I am entitled to an opinion - which clearly is at odds with your commendable (but misguided IMHO) altruistic take on life - one which I do not share - preferring that charity starts at home - especially putting ex servicemen above foreigners needs.  You clearly do not like that - but it is a view shared by many many Brits.

I have no intention of entering in a debate of any sort regarding this area. You have seen my opinion - that's where it ends.
Title: Re: Why the curry house is declining
Post by: Peripatetic Phil on February 22, 2017, 02:43 PM
Phil - I merely state facts as I find them and see them
If you don't want enter into a debate, that is fine by me, but I would still like to know on what basis you assert that at least one of the assailants was a waiter.

** Phil.
Title: Re: Why the curry house is declining
Post by: Ghoulie on February 22, 2017, 02:47 PM
I don't do debates  Phil - do you understand English?  Watch the video - the assailant came from a curry house - granted - he might even have been the owner not a waiter. Now do me a favour Phil and toodle off.  I have a business to run and you clearly have too much time on your hands.
Title: Re: Why the curry house is declining
Post by: Peripatetic Phil on February 22, 2017, 03:19 PM
I don't do debates  Phil
No, you just indulge in Islamophobic polemics
Quote
Watch the video - the assailant came from a curry house - granted - he might even have been the owner not a waiter.
Or he may have been a customer.  But perhaps you were too busy running your business to consider that option.
** Phil.
Title: Re: Why the curry house is declining
Post by: Ghoulie on February 22, 2017, 03:25 PM
 .. a fair option too Phil - whichever way, he was an asian male with malice aforethought intent on severely damaging a white passer-by - but please do not patronise me with your typical liberal sarcasm - the lowest form of wit.  Can you ever learn to just zip it and leave it at peoples differing opinions?  I can !!
Title: Re: Why the curry house is declining
Post by: Peripatetic Phil on February 22, 2017, 03:31 PM
Can you ever learn to just zip it and leave it at peoples differing opinions?
Then please do.  It was you who sought to re-start this topic with two highly xenophobic/Islamophobic messages at 12:04 and 12:14 today; having re-started it, it ill behoves you to also seek to finish it.

** Phil.
Title: Re: Why the curry house is declining
Post by: Ghoulie on February 22, 2017, 03:46 PM
Henceforth, I shall dub you Pedantic Phil - perhaps you are already the holder of that nickname. Now be a good chap and toodle off - if it is in your nature?
Title: Re: Why the curry house is declining
Post by: George on February 22, 2017, 03:55 PM
Islam is resurgent and has one aim - to dominate the world.  It hates the decadent Western way of life and it's avowed aim is to destroy it by takeover.  This they will achieve by population growth and are well on their way to achieve this.  Merkel has accelerated their plans by 10s of years with her immigration policy - something she now seems to be regretting.  Too late - the damage is done there, unless the EU has the stomach for drastic repatriation measures.

Never a truer word spoken. Phil must have his head in the sand,

Edwin - I went skiing to Italy. Are you a skier?
Title: Re: Why the curry house is declining
Post by: Garp on February 22, 2017, 04:28 PM
Admin - can you get rid of this idiot, Ghoulie.

There is no place on this forum for extreme views of any kind.
Title: Re: Why the curry house is declining
Post by: Ghoulie on February 22, 2017, 04:40 PM
Thanks for your kind words Garp - unfortunately, my opinions are based on fact and personal experience from living in the Middle East.  Pardon me for having the misfortune of having experienced what I have experienced and attempting to wisen up other people - seems you wish to learn it the hard way.  Forgive me for having the temerity to breathe too.
Title: Re: Why the curry house is declining
Post by: Peripatetic Phil on February 22, 2017, 04:54 PM
Admin - can you get rid of this idiot, Ghoulie.   There is no place on this forum for extreme views of any kind.
With respect, Garp, is it not better to publicly  challenge extremism rather than merely seek to suppress it from public view?
** (Pedantic) Phil.
Title: Re: Why the curry house is declining
Post by: Ghoulie on February 22, 2017, 05:16 PM
Thanks for your support Phil. 
The things that are being suppressed that you should be worried about are actually suppressions by the media re the actual events taking place in many EU countries that highlight the folly of inviting masses of people from different cultures into our society.  It comes out eventually - todays online media forces the issue which is rather worrying that 'big brother' even in this supposed free democracy of ours decides what is fit for you see / be aware of.

My blinkers have always been off.
Title: Re: Why the curry house is declining
Post by: Garp on February 22, 2017, 05:58 PM
Admin - can you get rid of this idiot, Ghoulie.   There is no place on this forum for extreme views of any kind.
With respect, Garp, is it not better to publicly  challenge extremism rather than merely seek to suppress it from public view?
** (Pedantic) Phil.

Very true, Phil. However, I don't see that this forum is the place to debate such views.
Title: Re: Why the curry house is declining
Post by: Ghoulie on February 22, 2017, 06:04 PM
As a clue Garp, and as a moderator myself on other forums - the hint is in the title of the area where the posts occur 'talk about anything other than curry'.  Perhaps as on other boards it should be prefaced with the comment 'If you are offended by peoples opinions different to yours - please do not enter'
Title: Re: Why the curry house is declining
Post by: Peripatetic Phil on February 22, 2017, 06:39 PM
Very true, Phil. However, I don't see that this forum is the place to debate such views.
Well, I agree with that.  But if such views are stated here, then I feel duty-bound to challenge them.  After all, in the main, the very people whose knowledge and experience we seek to emulate and re-create are quite likely to be followers of Islam, and I for one do not wish them to be led to believe that the majority of members of this forum are Islamophobes,  For much the same reason, really, <pedantry>as that</pedantry> yesterday, when I learned that the young man who took my money for petrol at a service station in Pembury was from Romania, I said "Welcome to Britain" to him, so that he was re-assured that not all Britons are xenophobic racists.

** Phil.
Title: Re: Why the curry house is declining
Post by: George on February 22, 2017, 06:59 PM
when I learned that the young man who took my money for petrol at a service station in Pembury was from Romania, I said "Welcome to Britain" to him, so that he was re-assured that not all Britons are xenophobic racists.

This says it all -  like you live on a different plant to myself, at least. And I certainly don't consider myself racist even if liberal extremists try to accuse anyone who has moderate and wholly reasonable views like Goulie of being a racist.
Title: Re: Why the curry house is declining
Post by: Garp on February 22, 2017, 07:12 PM
I hope everyone who voted "leave" will accept their full share of responsibility for the consequences.

Being a sore loser must be one of the worst personality traits.  If you don't like it why not go back to Sweden or wherever you came from?

No way could you ever be considered as racist, George.
Title: Re: Why the curry house is declining
Post by: George on February 22, 2017, 10:35 PM
No way could you ever be considered as racist, George.

I agree, of course. I assume people from Sweden and the UK are from the same race, as in white Europeans - Caucasians.

But people like you will always try to play the racist card, which underlines my whole point.
Title: Re: Why the curry house is declining
Post by: Ghoulie on February 22, 2017, 10:40 PM
The inevitable hysterical 'racist' card has to be played by seemingly ignorant people who need to get an education IMO so they even begin to understand what is being said.  The correct term often relevant should be REALIST.  If I was 'racist' for instance, would I bother torturing myself by living / working in such an environment as the Middle East for 8 years ?  Highly unlikely.  I was on the receiving end of racism against whites ( & against English in particular by Palestinians) - but it is to be expected in certain arabic countries.
Title: Re: Why the curry house is declining
Post by: vindapoo on July 04, 2017, 08:30 AM
just to add to this old post.

Curry house's in my locale are just too expensive compared to other eateries. It used to be an 'indian' was the cheapest option, certainly cheaper than a chinese for example. I'm sure they have bills same as the rest of us but,
Title: Re: Why the curry house is declining
Post by: Peripatetic Phil on July 04, 2017, 02:45 PM
I'm good mates with an owner and been to his place in sparkhill brum. I must say I was totally shocked first time I went, no english writing on any of the shops, no whites to be seen. A real ghetto, this was 15 years ago. I remember thinking at the time this isn't a healthy setup at all.
When I was 25--27 (i.e., circa 45 years ago) I had a girlfriend in Smethwick and I cooked curries (admittedly awful curries) even then.  And I chose to shop in areas such as Sparkhill because the shops were almost entirely Indian.  Buying was very much a question of "point and gesture", we had so few words in common, but the shopkeepers were all helpful and I remember to this day the joy on the face of one shopkeeper when (trying to buy orange lentils) I finally remembered the word "dal".  All of a sudden the shop floor was covered in dal containers, dal of almost every colour under the sun, and just that one little gesture of trying to speak his language made all the difference in the world ...

Quote
I don't hold with the whole 'we have to import chefs' reasoning either, they can train up local staff just like normal businesses have to do. Hell if we all can knock up a half decent curry as a hobby they can surely train up a chef in a few months.
I remain unconvinced.

** Phil.