Cost of living crisis makes kitchens in Asian restaurants go green
More eateries replacing Tandoor ovens with electric ones while phasing out plastic
By Nadeem BadshahJul 07, 2023
SOUTH ASIAN cuisine is going more green during the cost of living crisis, with restaurants turning away from charcoal and gas ovens.
More eateries are using large combination electric cookers, rather than a tandoor oven, which can cook chicken, lamb and naan together, according to owners.
The industry has largely binned charcoal tandoor ovens and the next eco-trends are set to be electric ovens, phasing out plastic and reducing food waste – amid rising energy bills and the cost of meat and ingredients soaring in recent months.
Ravinder Bhogal’s London restaurant Jikoni was the first independent UK eatery to go carbon neutral in 2021 by switching exclusively to local sustainable suppliers, using green gas and partnering with an organisation to help turn non-recyclable restaurant waste into green energy. Chef Cyrus Todiwala OBE said he abandoned charcoal tandoors at his Cafe Spice Namaste restaurant, because it was causing too much damage in the kitchen.
He is installing an electric tandoor in his new training kitchen in east London.
The food author, who owns restaurants in London, told Eastern Eye: “Charcoal swallows oxygen like no other and if gas cookers are nearby, you are bound to get yellow flames as the air is devoid of the right levels of oxygen.
“This also has an impact on the people working on or near them, so we decided years ago to switch to gas, which is not as great flavour-wise, naturally, but very clean and controllable.
“But gas has its own issues too and does create air pollution too. The next step forward for us is to go for an electric tandoor which will go into our new training kitchen.
“At the moment since we have not got gas into the building; we are making all our kebabs using a Panasonic SCV2 High Speed Combination oven – the speed and efficiency is second to none and our meat is cooked perfectly, losing no moisture or very, very little, making the meat juicier and tender.”
Research has shown that an estimated one-third of the food produced in the world ends up as waste, which then contributes nearly 10 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions.
Todiwala added: “We keep an outdoor gas tandoor for making our naan, which we regenerate in the SCV2 which keeps our kitchen cool, clean and odour free.
“Our kitchen extraction system is clean and spic and span, plus the advent of fire risk is now greatly reduced.
“It’s not for everyone, as the oven is not cheap and costs up to £3,500 compared to a tandoor that could be much less or half the price, but you do save on consumables and energy on the SCV2.”
Ruhul Tarafder, who runs Jhal Chilli takeaway in Kent, said he has seen a handful of south Asian restaurants buy large combination ovens for around £5,000. He told Eastern Eye, “With the large specialist oven, it’s more automated, you preset everything and it cooks chicken, seekh kebabs, naan.
“You don’t need a tandoor or tandoor chef, so you are saving on staffing costs.
“The community can be slow to change and the industry hasn’t seen the benefit of these ovens.
“I saw it up north and I was like, ‘wow’.
“It would take time to get used to it, but restaurant owners would move towards it I think as it is better for the environment and could perhaps save gas.”
Tarafder, who also runs a merchandising firm that supplies to south Asian restaurants, added: “Nobody I know uses coal for tandoor ovens for a good few years now. It would be difficult to tell the taste unless you were a connoisseur. Gas is also quicker.”
Other restaurants which have gone down the green route include Crispy Dosa in Windsor, Berkshire, which serves a “sustainable plant-based” menu; Crafty Indian in Shipley, West Yorkshire, stopped using single-use plastic items while Queen Mumtaz in Bournemouth, Hampshire, did not use plastic for its refurbishment. The Shish Mahal in Glasgow trialled the UK’s first drone delivery service in 2021 to reduce its carbon footprint.
Owned by Cyrus Todiwala
At Mowgli, the Indian restaurant group owned by Nisha Katona, each eatery has a “Sustainability Sergeant” with the team organising local fund-raising events, focusing on energy usage, and sustainable sourcing. The company, which recently opened sites in Brighton and Edinburgh, is planning to open an eatery in Bristol this summer.
Katona, whose restaurant group recently secured investment from TriSpan, said: “We do things that a lot of restaurants do not and a lot of investors don’t understand that, and they would say our food should be cooked at a central kitchen and then delivered across the UK.
“But Mowgli is all about the food being prepared on site by experts, and they know how important it is for the food to remain fresh. Not many backers understand why we donate so much to charity, either. But our new partners do understand the business and so I chose them.”
Government figures in February showed wood-burning stoves and open fires in homes are now Britain’s biggest source of particulate air pollution.
About 200,000 wood stoves are installed in homes every year due to the surge in gas prices. The Stove Industry Alliance said sales of wood burners rose 66 per cent in the third quarter of 2022.
Juliane Caillouette-Noble, of the Sustainable Restaurant Association, was quoted as telling Waitrose magazine: “The turbulence caused by sky-rocketing prices and the scarcity of chefs presents a taste of what we can expect as the impact of climate change affects food production. It’s also giving chefs an opportunity to showcase their creativity and innovation, using all of every ingredient available and focusing on the finest produce.
INDIAN footwear sellers and artisans are tapping into nationalist pride stoked by the Prada 'sandal scandal' in a bid to boost sales of ethnic slippers with history dating back to the 12th century, raising hopes of reviving a struggling craft.
Sales are surging over the past week for the 'Kolhapuri' sandals that have garnered global attention after Prada sparked a controversy by showcasing similar designs in Milan, without initially crediting the footwear's origins.
After viral photos from a fashion show drew criticism from Indian artisans who make the sandals - named after a historic city in Maharashtra state - Prada was forced to acknowledge that its new open-toe footwear was inspired by ancient Indian designs.
"Prada 0: Kolhapur 1," said an Instagram post by e-commerce website Shopkop, whose founder Rahul Parasu Kamble's open letter to Prada pointing out the footwear is "soaked in tradition" was reshared 36,000 times on social media.
"I saw the controversy as a way to promote Kolhapuri," said Kamble, 33, who has seen sales of sandals he sources from local artisans touch 50,000 rupees ($584) in three days, five times the average.
Social media has been abuzz in recent days with criticism and sarcastic memes, with politicians, artisans and a trade body demanding due credit to Indian heritage.
Prada has said it will arrange follow-up meetings with artisans. In a statement on Tuesday (1), it added the Italian group intends to make the sandals in India in collaboration with local manufacturers, if it commercialises them.
India's luxury market is small but growing, with the rich splurging on Lamborghini cars and pricey watches. Prada does not have a single retail store in India and its products are usually reserved for the super rich - its men's leather sandals start retailing at $844 (£667), while Kolhapuris can be priced as low as $12 (£8.92).
But linking of the Prada name to the Kolhapuri sandals, which are made by around 7,000 artisans, is providing a business opportunity for some.
Mumbai-based Ira Soles is running new Facebook and Instagram advertisements which proclaim its $32 (£24) "Tan Handcrafted Kolhapuris just walked the ramp at Prada ... Limited stock. Global spotlight. Own a piece of what the world is applauding.".
E-commerce website Niira is offering up to 50 per cent discounts on its Kolhapuri slippers it says are "rooted in tradition". Its sales of $18 (£13.5) sandals, that looked like the one Prada showcased in Milan, have tripled, founder Nishant Raut said.
"Why can't an Indian Kolhapuri brand become as big as a Birkenstock," he said.
Handmade in small factories, Kolhapuri sandals, or chappals as they are called in Hindi, are often paired with Indian attire. Similar designs are sold in big outlets of Bata India and Metro Brands, and also on Amazon and Walmart's Flipkart.
In 2021, India's government said the sandals could achieve $1 billion (£728m) a year in exports. Though latest estimates are not available, artisans say the business has struggled as consumers increasingly opt for more fashionable, upmarket footwear.
Still, the Prada controversy is breathing new life into a craft that Lalit Gandhi, president of Maharashtra's main industry lobby group, says is "a dying art". Gandhi said he is in talks with Prada to develop a co-branded, limited-edition sandal.
Kolhapur craftsmen Ashok Doiphode, 50, is pinning hopes on a Prada boost. He hand-stitches sandals for nine hours daily but can sell a pair for just Rs 400 (£3.5)
"If big companies like Prada come, craftsman like me can get a good price."
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The Canary Wharf business district including global financial institutions in London.
THE UK economy expanded at its fastest pace in a year during the first quarter of 2025, driven by a rise in home purchases ahead of a tax deadline and higher manufacturing output before the introduction of new US import tariffs.
Gross domestic product rose by 0.7 per cent in the January-to-March period, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said, confirming its earlier estimate. This was the strongest quarterly growth since the first quarter of 2024.
Growth for March was revised up to 0.4 per cent from a previous reading of 0.2 per cent, according to the ONS.
The increase followed growth of just 0.1 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2024. However, GDP fell by 0.3 per cent in April from March, a decline affected by one-off factors.
Outlook for Q2 and pressure on budget targets
The Bank of England expects the economy to grow by about 0.25 per cent in the second quarter of 2025.
Finance minister Rachel Reeves is hoping for stronger growth to reduce pressure to raise taxes again later this year in order to meet her budget goals.
Thomas Pugh, chief economist at RSM UK, said weak consumer spending and hiring data in recent weeks likely reflected a short-term reaction to an employer tax increase and the US tariffs, many of which have now been suspended.
"Now that uncertainty has started to recede, consumer confidence is rebounding, and business surveys point to the worst of the labour market pain being behind us," Pugh said.
A separate survey published on Monday showed employer confidence in Britain had reached a nine-year high, with businesses more optimistic about the economy.
Interest rate cuts expected; energy prices a risk
The Bank of England is expected to cut interest rates two more times in 2025, which could support household spending.
However, a renewed rise in energy prices caused by further conflict in the Middle East could add pressure to the already slow-growing economy.
According to Monday’s ONS data, household expenditure grew by 0.4 per cent in the first quarter, revised up from an initial estimate of 0.2 per cent. The increase was led by spending on housing, household goods and services, and transport.
The UK property market saw increased activity ahead of the 31 March expiry of a tax break for some homebuyers.
Savings fall, manufacturing rises
Households drew from their reserves to support spending, with the saving ratio falling for the first time in two years. However, at 10.9 per cent, it remained high.
Manufacturing output rose by 1.1 per cent in the first quarter, ahead of the US tariff increase in April, compared with the final quarter of 2024.
The ONS also reported that the UK’s current account deficit widened to 23.46 billion pounds in the January-to-March period, up from just over 21 billion pounds in the previous quarter.
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Trump shakes hands with Modi during a joint press conference at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on February 25, 2020. (Photo: Getty Images)
TRADE talks between India and the US have hit a roadblock over disagreements on duties for auto components, steel and farm goods, Indian government sources said to Reuters, dashing hopes of reaching an interim deal ahead of president Donald Trump's July 9 deadline to impose reciprocal tariffs.
Here are the key issues at play:
HURDLES TO A TRADE DEAL
India's dependence on agriculture – a major source of rural jobs – has made it politically difficult for New Delhi to accept US demands for steep tariff cuts on corn, soybean, wheat and ethanol, amid risks from subsidised US farm products.
Domestic auto, pharmaceutical, and small-scale firms are lobbying for only a gradual opening of the protected sectors, fearing competition from US firms.
The US is pushing for greater access to agricultural goods and ethanol, citing a significant trade imbalance, along with expanded market access for dairy, alcoholic beverages, automobiles, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices.
"LACK OF RECIPROCITY"
Despite India offering to cut tariffs on a range of farm products, give preferential treatment to US firms, and increase energy and defence purchases, Indian officials say they are still awaiting substantive proposals from Washington amid Trump's erratic trade policies.
Indian exporters remain concerned about US tariff hikes, including a 10 per cent average base tariff, 50 per cent on steel and aluminium, and 25 per cent on auto imports, as well as a proposed 26 per cent reciprocal duty that remains on hold.
STRATEGIC ALIGNMENT
Indian policymakers see the US as a preferred partner over China but remain cautious about compromising policy autonomy in global affairs.
The US is India’s largest trading partner and a major source of investment, technology, energy, and defence equipment.
TENSIONS OVER PAKISTAN
India remains wary of deeper strategic ties after Trump’s perceived tilt toward Pakistan during a recent conflict between the neighbours, which raised doubts about US reliability.
GROWING INDIAN EXPORTS TO US
New Delhi is confident exports will continue to grow, especially in pharmaceuticals, garments, engineering goods and electronics, helped by tariff advantage over Vietnam and China.
India's goods exports to the US rose to over $87 billion in 2024, including pearls, gems and jewellery worth $8.5 billion, pharmaceuticals at $8 billion, and petrochemicals around $4 billion.
Services exports – led by IT, professional and financial services – were valued at $33 billion in 2024.
The US is also India's third-largest investor, with over $68 billion in cumulative FDI between 2002 and 2024.
US EXPORTS TO INDIA
US manufacturing exports to India, valued at nearly $42 billion in 2024, face high tariffs, ranging from 7 per cent on wood products and machinery to as much as 15 to 20 per cent on footwear and transport equipment, and nearly 68 per cent on food.
According to a recent White House fact sheet, the US average applied Most Favoured Nation (MFN) tariff on farm goods was 5 per cent compared to India’s 39 per cent.
(With inputs from Reuters)
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Vedanta Resources, which is based in the UK and owned by Indian billionaire Anil Agarwal, has been working on reducing its debt. (Photo credit: Getty Images)
VEDANTA LTD said on Thursday that its parent company, Vedanta Resources, has signed a loan facility agreement worth up to £438 million with international banks to refinance existing debt.
The refinancing move, where old loans are replaced by new ones, often at better terms like lower interest rates, has led ratings agencies such as S&P Global Ratings and Moody's to upgrade their outlook on the company this year.
According to Vedanta's exchange filing on Thursday, the lenders involved in the deal include Standard Chartered Bank and its Mauritius unit, First Abu Dhabi Bank, Mashreqbank, and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp.
Vedanta Resources, which is based in the UK and owned by Indian billionaire Anil Agarwal, has been working on reducing its debt.
The company lowered its net debt by £876m, bringing it down to £8.1 billion in fiscal 2025.
(With inputs from Reuters)
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Trump said that while deals are being made with some countries, others may face tariffs.
US PRESIDENT Donald Trump on Friday said a "very big" trade deal could be finalised with India, suggesting significant movement in the ongoing negotiations between the two countries.
“We are having some great deals. We have one coming up, maybe with India. Very big one. Where we're going to open up India," Trump said at the “Big Beautiful Bill” event at the White House.
The president also mentioned a trade agreement with China but did not provide details. "Everybody wants to make a deal and have a part of it. Remember a few months ago, the press was saying, 'You really have anybody of any interest? Well, we just signed with China yesterday. We are having some great deals," he said.
‘Some we are just gonna send a letter’
Trump said that while deals are being made with some countries, others may face tariffs. "We're not gonna make deals with everybody. Some we are just gonna send a letter saying thank you very much, you are gonna pay 25, 35, 45 per cent. That's an easier way to do it," he said.
Trump's comments come as an Indian delegation led by chief negotiator Rajesh Agarwal arrived in Washington on Thursday for the next round of trade talks with the US.
Talks ahead of July 9 deadline
Both countries are working on an interim trade agreement and are aiming to conclude it before July 9. The US had announced high tariffs on April 2, but the Trump administration suspended them until July 9.
Agriculture and dairy remain sensitive areas for India, which has not included dairy in any of its free trade agreements so far. India is cautious about offering duty concessions in these sectors.
The US is seeking duty reductions on items such as industrial goods, automobiles (especially electric vehicles), wines, petrochemical products, dairy products, and agricultural goods like apples, tree nuts, and genetically modified crops.
India, on the other hand, wants duty concessions for sectors such as textiles, gems and jewellery, leather goods, garments, plastics, chemicals, shrimp, oil seeds, grapes, and bananas.