Restauranteur invited to Buckingham Palace

May 6 2008 By Gurdip Thandi

A BIRMINGHAM restauranteur has cooked up a right Royal treat after being invited to a prestigious reception at Buckingham Palace by The Queen.

Raj Rana, managing director of the award-winning Itihaas restaurant in Newhall Street, in the city centre, has been invited to the bash today in recognition of his valuable contribution of the UK's hospitality world.

Mr Rana will be one of 350 guests from across Britain at the reception. To mark the invitation, Itihaas has created a new dish for the menu.

The Imperial Khumb Malai features ingredients from both the east and west.

It features fresh young quails marinated in lemon and smoked garlic with a light mushroom and coconut curried sauce and accompanied by homemade Pont Neuf chips.

Mr Rana, who had no previous catering experience before Itihaas and previously worked in the jewellery trade, said he was stunned by the invitation.

He said: "An invitation to Buckingham Palace is not something you receive everyday.

"At first I was convinced it was a hoax or maybe sent in error, but soon realised it was for real!

"I feel truly honoured to have been invited, especially having been a part of the hospitality trade for only a few years."

The Royal recognition represents the latest success for the Itihaas restaurant.

At the coveted 2007/2008 Cobra Good Curry Awards, it was award both the Best UK restaurant and Best in the Midlands gongs.