National Curry Week is celebrated every year in October. This year it is held from October 6 to 13. It is a week that is observed nationally for three main reasons. It is used to celebrate the rising Indian restaurant industry, honor the country’s favorite cuisine, and help raise money for poverty-focused charities. The holiday brings light to the spicy Indian dish, a stew with ginger, garlic, and turmeric as its primary ingredients. It was founded by a journalist named Peter Grove who fell in love with the delicious dish and decided to have fun promoting it while bringing attention to Indian culinary arts.
History of National Curry Week
National Curry Week was founded in October 1998 by the prominent journalist, the late Peter Grove, who had fallen in love with curry as many of us have before. He took the extra step to express his passion for the Indian stew by creating a holiday for it. He used to opportunity to raise funds for charity. The holiday has been celebrated annually since then nationally, because who doesn’t love curry? Indian food has become more prominent in our culture, and this exposure has helped to grow the industry and spread the love for Indian food.
Curry existed in India more than 4,000 years before the Europeans arrived. The basic ingredients used to make the stew were garlic, ginger, and turmeric. Archaeologists from the University of Washington at Vancouver were able to discover these spices in skeletons and pottery shards from excavations in India. They used a method called starch grain analysis to examine the human teeth and residue from cooking pots, where signs of turmeric and ginger were evident.
The British termed all sauce-based dishes ‘curry’ in the 17th century; it was introduced to English cuisine from Anglo-Indian cooking. They began to add spicy sauces to plain boiled and cooked meats. In Britain, curry was served in coffee houses from 1809, and by the 1940s and the 1970s, it became very popular. Today, it is a very popular dish enjoyed by many.
National Curry Week timeline
Curries are influenced by the establishment of the Mughal Empire.
Indian indentured workers in the British sugar industry carry curry to the Caribbean.
Curry houses start to become popular and millions of curries are eaten every week.
In October 1998, the journalist Peter Grove establishes National Curry Week.
National Curry Week FAQs
How many Indian restaurants are in the U.K.?
In the U.K., there are approximately 12,000 Indian restaurants.
What does the word ‘curry’ mean?
The word ‘curry’ originated from the Tamil word ‘Karil,’ which means ‘spiced sauce.’
When was the 23rd National Curry Week?
The 23rd National Curry Week was held in 2021 from October 4 to 10
National Curry Week Activities
Eat some curry
Curry is a delicious meal that is loved by many. Celebrate the holiday by enjoying some of your favorite curries.
Learn to make curry
There are many simple curry recipes you can try. Have some fun learning how to make the spicy dish.
Donate some food
Charity is a big part of this holiday. Use the opportunity to do some good by giving food to people who may need it.
5 Interesting Facts About Curry
The British like curry
It is estimated that an average Britain will spend about £30,000 on curry in their lifetime.
Chicken Tikka Masala is popular
The most widely loved curry dish in the United Kingdom right now is Chicken Tikka Masala.
There are different recipes
Each region in India uses different ingredients and cooking methods to prepare curry.
Indian restaurants are popular in London
Greater London has more Indian restaurants than Delhi and Mumbai combined.
The largest curry weighed a ton
Indian Chefs and Culinary Association in Singapore made the largest curry weighing 15.34 tonnes.
Why We Love National Curry Week
It supports charities
The holiday is a big supporter of charities. It reminds people to give to others in their community.
It promotes Indian cuisine
The holiday helps to spread the popularity of the dish. Many people enjoy the dish around the world.
It promotes diversity
People are more open to enjoying a more diverse cuisine. People around the world eat food from different cultures.
National Curry Week dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | October 3 | Monday |
| 2023 | October 2 | Monday |
| 2024 | October 7 | Monday |
| 2025 | October 6 | Monday |
| 2026 | October 5 | Monday |
Log In With Google