HOSPITALITY
It is not the numbers only as the quality of customers also picked up. Suleman Raza made headlines in national newspapers while
Spice village customers range from the British House of Commons championing Pakistani cuisine. ‘Pakistani cuisine has a distinct taste
and House of Lords to Lambeth Palace, the Riyal Military Academy and flavour when compared with Indian cuisine, but it was surprising
at Sandhurst, several embassies and London’s best starred hotels that several Pakistanis market their restaurants and eateries as
and iconic venues. London’s favourite mayor Sadiq Khan ranks Spice “Indian” while actually serving Pakistani cuisine and being of
Village among his favourites. Every now and then some movie star Pakistani origin. “I proudly go around and tell the world that I am
walks in and some celebrity sneaks out. Social media and advisory a Pakistani, my restaurants serve Pakistani cuisine and I am proud
websites are abuzz with the amazing feedback. Awards are piling up of it. I have been doing a great business by marketing my business
every year from almost every known entity that deals with food and associated with Pakistani name and Pakistani food. “I call on all such
lifestyle. restaurant owners to reconsider their approach, be true to yourself,
your origin and be proud of Pakistan. This will give you more respect
and credibility than anything else,” he stressed in an interview with a
top tv channel.
Though Suleman has left his tough days miles behind him but he
contributes heavily to charities like Prince of Wales’s The British
Asian Trust to support vulnerable people in education, livelihoods,
anti-trafficking and mental health. As a Chief Executive of Spice
Village, Suleman ensures supporting various charities, Macmillan
Cancer Support, Tayaba, the water charity, Penny Appeal, PAGE,
Akhuwat and many others. More than 10,000 diners are fed annually
without charge under his Friends4Free campaign. ‘I want people
to five respect to food and all what is associated with it. I don’t like
Spice Village Group winning the award at Hurlingham Club in October 2019
In Business 2017 Conference in London, Suleman received the
coveted Award of Excellence by the global bestseller author and
leadership icon Brian Tracy in presence of more than two thousand
international delegates in London. On October 4, 2019, Suleman was
receiving an award at the Hurlingham Club at the food industry’s
biggest celebrations of the year. Spice Village Group was picked up
boasting about my philanthropic initiatives. It crushes my heart
returning someone from the door for not able to pay for it. As a
group, we do a lot and mostly keep it under the covers. Reaching
out to fellow human beings in need is not a choice. That is the only
option. For us, it is making difference through every single meal we
serve’. He concluded.
www.spicevillage.co.uk
for several reasons for the accolades by the top judges who were
impressed by the story, the journey and the finesse.
Apart from the roaring business success, Suleman’s real
achievement is moulding Spice Village restaurant chain into ‘a
business with a solid purpose’. He devised Spice Village’s three-
pronged CSR strategy focusing on sourcing, society and environment
balance. The first pillar is focused on healthy people by offering
portion control, balanced offerings and natural ingredients prepared
with nutrient-preserving cooking techniques. The second pillar is
focused on a healthy planet by implementing sustainable practices
that will improve the long-term health of people and the planet. The
final pillar is intended to support healthy communities by sourcing
from local suppliers as part of our commitment to championing
Great British quality. 100% meat, poultry and vegetables are sourced
through ethically run British farms. Suleman’s real contribution to
the food industry is believing into a sustainable and eco-friendly
model. Achieving zero waste target was a daunting challenge as it
took years of consistent efforts.
Suleman Raza delivering keynote address at
Asian Curry Awards at Grosvenor Hotel in 2018
Issue 41 2019
The Art of Luxury
77