Battle of the balti

Curry lovers could see one of their favourite dishes disappear from menus across the country.
 
Birmingham is seeking to trademark the name of one of its most famous creations, the Balti, reports the Daily Mail.

It would prevent restaurants outside an area of the city known as the 'Balti Triangle' from serving the dish.

Named after a flat-bottomed wok, the first Balti is thought to have been cooked up in the Sparkhill area of Birmingham in 1977.
It is now on the menu in more than 90 per cent of Britain's curry houses.

A spokesman for Birmingham City Council said: "The idea to trademark the term Balti is certainly an interesting one.
"We are always seeking new and imaginative ways to promote the city regionally, nationally and internationally."

But Suman Sinha, from Tandoori magazine, said any attempt to prevent those outside the Midlands using the name would upset many in the trade.

He said: "Birmingham is rightly proud of its creation but there will be strong resistance if they try to stop others from using the name Balti."

Birmingham's famous Balti triangle is made up by curry houses in the city's Sparkbrook, Balsall Heath, and Moseley areas.

Last Updated : 2009-07-04 07:20:45 | Text Size :

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