An Officer and a chef

At the imposing Buckingham Palace, Prince Charles conferred the OBE (Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) on restaurateur Cyrus Todiwala for his contribution to the hospitality industry. Ten years earlier he had been conferred the MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) for his commitment to education and training, notes a press release.

Referring to the April 23 "ceremony conducted with absolute precision and flair,” Todiwala considered this visit to the Palace as "special” even though he had visited the royal premises on several occasions in the past too. Although the title may not officially carry any privileges, the honor can truly be experienced "when the British people hear of your title. It makes very little difference, of course to fellow Indians or Asians,” states a candid Todiwala. The converse effect is that "everyone suddenly thinks that you are also a millionaire and people start to put several pressures on you for sponsorships, money, etc,” he adds.

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on June 4, 1917 by King George V of the United Kingdom. The Order includes five classes in civil and military divisions. In decreasing order of seniority, these are: Knight Grand Cross (GBE) or Dame Grand Cross (GBE), Knight Commander (KBE) or Dame Commander (DBE), Commander (CBE), Officer (OBE), Member (MBE). The Order’s motto is "For God and the Empire.” It is the most junior of the British orders of chivalry, and the largest, with over 100,000 living members worldwide, according to Wikipedia.

Cyrus Todiwala (left) with Prince Charles (Photo: British Ceremonial Arts Limited) and above with Dr Zenobia Nadirshaw of the London Metropolitan University

The function this year helped to obliterate the unpleasant memory of 2000 when the "Palace realized that I was an Indian citizen and for that reason the Queen or her royal representative would not pin the honor on me,” mentions Todiwala. Ultimately the presentation was made by the cultural secretary. Even two years ago when he was honored as a deputy lieutenant of Greater London, an honor sanctioned by the Queen, the ceremony was conducted by the Lord Lieutenant at County Hall.

Regarded as "one of the most respected chefs and restaurateurs operating in the UK today,” Todiwala is a much sought after lecturer and after-dinner speaker. An honorary professor at Thames Valley University, in the autumn of last year he was conferred the honorary doctorate from the London Metropolitan University "for being a person distinguished in eminence and by attainments,” as notes his certificate. Although shyness prevents him from flaunting his degree, he says he enjoys "the looks on their face and the sudden elevation in status” when people learn of the distinctions he has earned. He finds it equally amusing that the head of the University’s School of Hospitality always addresses him as "Professor Cyrus.”

With his wife Pervin, Todiwala had set up the landmark Indian restaurant Café Spice Namaste in London 15 years ago that has won a host of awards for the couple as also the eatery. Among the honors he has earned are the Education and Training Catey Award, considered the Oscars of the UK hospitality industry, as also last year’s Highly Commended Prize for Sustainable Food at the City of London Sustainable Cities Awards. For environmental best practice, his Café won the coveted Green Apple Award, his accomplishments have been listed.

With his dedication to the culinary arts Todiwala is a regular on BBC’s Saturday Kitchen and uktv’s Market Kitchen programs. Besides contributing to culinary magazines and journals, he has also authored three recipe cookbooks including the bestselling Indian Summer (see "Treats from Todiwala,” Parsiana, March 21, 2010). He has even introduced Adventure Gourmet which is an ongoing program of chef demonstrations and master classes at his restaurant.

Under the brand, Mr Todiwala, are sold handmade pickles, chutneys and fresh cooking sauces that are marketed at the Real Food Festival section of Borough Market and at Selfridges Food Halls in Oxford Street.

Born and raised in Bombay, Todiwala is a graduate from the B. K. Somani Polytechnic and trained as a chef with the Taj Group in India, rising to the level of executive chef of the Group’s hotels in Goa. Migrating to Europe in 1991, he developed his hallmark style of blending traditional Indian culinary techniques and flavors with unexpected ingredients. In his gastronomic creations surface Parsi and Portuguese influences as also the culinary traditions of South Africa and the Middle East.

Believing that a successful businessman should devote time and energy to charitable causes too, in March this year Café Spice Namaste hosted the first fund-raiser of the year for Hospitality Action, a UK charity for hospitality workers who have fallen on hard times. He is also a trustee of Learning for Life and president of the UK based Time and Talents Association.