William, Kate ‘in love with Pakistan’

LONDON: The Director of a British Asian restaurant that hosted Prince William and Kate Middleton has said that the Royal couple is in love with Pakistan and keeps gushing about their recent memorable visit of the South Asian country.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited MyLahore restaurant in Bradford where they were guided around by Ishfaq Farooq and his brothers. The visit by the Royal Couple to the British Asian restaurant, which takes inspiration from Lahore’s famous food, came three months after the Royal couple’s visit to Pakistan which made headlines in UK and Pakistan.

Ishfaq Farooq’s family restaurant was chosen by the Royal couple for the visit because of the brand name and its association with Pakistan’s food capital and its local fame for serving authentic Pakistani food. British Pakistani boxer joined Ishfaq Farooq, his brothers and the staff to welcome the Royal couple and their entourage.

During their visit to MyLahore, Prince William and Kate attempted to make mango and kulfi milkshakes and enjoyed the experience. At MyLahore, the Royal couple also met students from Bradford College on a kitchen apprenticeship scheme and attended a meeting with representatives from local Muslim women.

Speaking to Geo and The News, Ishfaq Farooq said: “The visit by Prince William and Kate Middleton was a brilliant experience for us. We were amazed to find out so much about Pakistan from them. Kate Middleton told us how she loved Pakistani people, culture and food. She was clearly missing the time spent in Pakistan.”

Ishfaq Farooq said that Prince William shared that he loved Pakistan in the same way his late mother Princess Diana loved the country and its people. “The Prince said the people of Pakistan are amazing and they received a great hospitality and love from the people during their busy tour of the country in October last year.”

Operations director Ishfaq said the royal couple wanted to see the kitchen’s restaurant and other areas. “They took a keen interest in how we cooked food and what we cooked. They went through the menu and then decided to make mango and kulfi milkshakes. The couple said they had experienced mango and kulfi milkshakes in Pakistan as well.”

Prince William asked about the origin of ingredients we use in our food. “He already knew a lot about the ingredients used in Pakistani, Asian food. We told the couple that we take pride in the fact that we take inspiration from Lahore, known as the food capital of Pakistan, and we are proud carriers of the banner Lahore.”

After making milkshakes at the ground floor area, the couple was taken to the private banquet upstairs where they tried Pakistani dishes. Ishfaq Farooq said: “Kate met my daughter and held her in her arms. She discussed how parents should always give time to their kids. William and Kate revealed they always try to eat a family meal together at night despite their busy schedule. We talked about families and giving time to your kids. Every household has personal stuff going on but with celebrities it’s just showcased.”

Ishfaq Farooq said that the royal couple shared that they believed in strong family values and unity of the family structure. They were appreciative of the family values and how important it is to have strong ties.”

Ishfaq is the youngest son of Mohammed Farooq, a first generation immigrant from Pakistan who moved to the UK in pursuit of a better life. Farooq spent his days as a labourer in the local mills. He then became a bus driver until his late retirement. From humble beginnings, Ishfaq and his brothers went on to become successful entrepreneurs in the hospitality industry. Mohammad Mahroof, Mahfooz Farooq, Shakoor Ahmed, Ghafoor Farooq and Asghar Ali started from a little town called Mirfield in Yorkshire where all the family worked together in a restaurant called Kashmir given to by their parents. They opened the restaurant in Bradford called MyLahore with the inspiration from the city Lahore, Pakistan.

Ishfaq Farooq said: “MyLahore is rooted in Yorkshire in a world of small kitchens yet huge hearts, where families tuck into everything from samosas to shepherd’s pie, and karahis to cornflake tarts – it’s a very British.”