Topic: Would you be happy to dine in a BIR staffed by non-Asians?

[Cory Ander]

It's interesting to note the concerns of "The Guild of Bangladeshi Restaurateurs" (who represent the Bangladeshi Indian Restaurant trade - see here: http://www.gbruk.org.uk/index.html)

It seems that one of their main concerns is that there are insufficient Asian staff available (chefs or otherwise) to meet the needs of the BIR trade.  They therefore feel that many more Asians need to be brought into the UK, from the Asian subcontinent, whether or not they are able to speak English, to meet this need.

Meanwhile, the Immigration Department are seemingly becoming more stringent on approving visas (or not!) which The Guild think is severely compromising the BIR trade.

It begs an interesting question, though.  How would you feel about being served in a BIR by non-Asian staff? 

It seems to me that it's highly unusual to see non-Asian staff in Indian restaurants (or Chinese restaurants, for that matter) but it is not so unusual to see staff of alternative nationalities in other types of restaurant (Italian, French, etc)? 

How would you feel about it and why?

[peterandjen]

As long as the foods good i wouldn't care if it was a martian cooking it.

[Mikka1]

Over here its the norm that Mexicans do a lot of in house cooking. I know for a fact they don't like Indian food that much so perhaps they are less likely to spill the beans as it were? ;D

Would I be happy? Hmmmm Not yet I wouldn't. I get some really good grub and a lot of these people have become good acquaintances too. Frankly at the moment I see this part of the food industry as a monopoly. It's the only one of its kind too where the home cook is for the most part neglected if such secret restaurant guide cook books exist, and we know they do.

I was told, "If I show you, you'll open a restaurant". And I have to beg the question and not that I ever would want to open a restaurant. What the heck would be wrong with that anyway? I cook damned good pizza, best tacos for miles, to die for spare ribs. I'm not opening restaurants....

I think a lot more recipe openness is needed before complaints are filed. Every other food type has good, open, plain recipes that everyone has access to.

[CurryOnRegardless]

We've been here before.

These people are just after cheap labour, there are plenty of people, Asian or otherwise, who would be willing and able to learn the requisite skills and plenty of local colleges able to offer formalised training and recognised qualifications but what do these guys want, more cheap labour to exploit.

Why bring people here, BIR cooking does not exist in Asia so they would have to learn the skills over here, we have enough unemployed people of all ethnic backgrounds particularly under 25's, to provide the BIR industry with chefs of the future.

These guys are just after a quick cheap fix, trouble is that only stores up further problems 5/10 years down the line and it's not the BIR industry that picks up the tab, economic and social, for them.

Regards
CoR

[Cory Ander]

But would you be happy being served by non-Asians CoR?

[Unclebuck]

But would you be happy being served by non-Asians

Yes and i have been. Monsoon Valley Restaurant   
 92 High Street, Chatham

Has on weekends white Caucasian waitresses, no probs with that all good dining there.
 
 

[chinois]

Yes i've been to one and it wasnt a big deal. I only twigged half way through the meal. I know why you're asking and i've questioned that point in regarding opening my own restaurant. I would be worried i wouldnt be taken seriously bcos i'm english so i guess i'd try to employ asian staff to redress the balance.

I suppose ideally you'd hope the person who takes your order to be asian or to know what they're doing. It doesnt matter where the other staff are from IMO.
Having said this the majority of the time i ask for advice on the food the (asian) staff haven't a clue. Their only descriptions are "spicy", "not spicy" and "little spicey".
The customers eat more BIR curries than the staff so if one of them explained the menu i'd be happy.

[chinois]

These people are just after cheap labour.

Why bring people here, BIR cooking does not exist in Asia so they would have to learn the skills over here

I think the main reason is bcos it's an opportunity for them to get visas for their family and friends. I've found the staff in restaurants/shops/kebab takeaways are often related and live together. I agree it's also cheap labour (one guy in goa was begging me to find him a job and said he'd be happy to take

[Mikka1]

Very refreshing to hear that Chinois.

BIR-type food does exist in india. It's a big place - everything imaginable and unimaginable exists in india 

[George]

But would you be happy being served by non-Asians CoR?

Good question. It's like negative racism in a way. Over decades, I've got used to the idea that Indian-looking waiters serve Indian food. The mood and appeal of a BIR would diminish if European, Chinese or African-looking people served as waiters, I know it's irrational but I'd almost certainly go to another restaurant. It just wouldn't feel right.