In 2005, after almost two decades in engineering, I lost my job. It was the first time I had been unemployed and, to be honest, it wasn’t great.

I decided to start a marketing consultancy. After a difficult first year, I walked into a meeting with the Asian Restaurant and Takeaway (Northern) Association. That meeting eventually led to Curry Culture.

The curry industry has often been poorly served by the media. Trade publications can feel detached from the people actually running restaurants, creating dishes and serving customers. I wanted to create something that highlighted the best of the industry for both the people working in it and the public who enjoy it.

Curry Culture has changed considerably since then, but the reason for doing it hasn’t.