National Curry Week has always been about more than food. It’s a celebration of the nation’s most-loved dish, a nod to Britain’s diverse communities, and a chance for restaurants up and down the country to put their best spice blends forward. This year, Birmingham’s Blanc NRI is adding a charitable twist to the mix – by turning every curry into a contribution.
The award-winning Arcadian restaurant, led by restaurateur Husban Ahmed, has announced it will donate £1 from every curry sold across September and October to local charity LoveBrum. The initiative is not only a nod to the city’s proud curry heritage but also a heartfelt show of support for Curry King of Birmingham, LoveBrum’s flagship fundraiser, which returns on Thursday 12th February 2026 at The Eastside Rooms.
Birmingham’s Curry Legacy
Few cities embrace curry quite like Birmingham. From legendary Balti houses to Michelin-starred modern Indian kitchens, the city has long held its reputation as one of the UK’s curry capitals. The return of National Curry Week (6–12 October 2025) is always big news here, but for Ahmed, it’s also personal.
“National Curry Week is the perfect time to celebrate the food we love while giving something back,” he says. “Curry King of Birmingham is such a great event, supporting so many good causes and underprivileged communities. We’re proud to play our part – and we can’t wait to bring some Brummie spice to the table.”
For diners at Blanc NRI, the charity tie-in comes in the form of a special fundraising curry, developed to showcase authentic flavour with purpose. Every order of the dish adds directly to LoveBrum’s fundraising pot, helping the charity support small, volunteer-led projects tackling hidden challenges across Birmingham’s communities.
Curry King of Birmingham: A City Tradition
Now in its ninth year, Curry King of Birmingham has become a highlight of the city’s social calendar. It’s not just another black-tie dinner – it’s a flamboyant, high-energy night where Birmingham’s business community swaps boardrooms for kitchens, teaming up with professional chefs for a live on-stage curry cook-off.
The format is as fun as it is competitive. Guests watch as teams chop, stir, and season their way through the challenge, cheered on by colleagues and rivals alike. Dishes are then presented to an expert judging panel, which last year included celebrity chef Glynn Purnell, Pushkar’s Rai Singh, and PR consultant Anita Champaneri, alongside food writers and culinary insiders.
The stakes? Glory, bragging rights, and the coveted Curry King crown – or, for the less fortunate, the dreaded wooden spoon.
Last year’s winners, aptly named Ring of Fire, triumphed in a showdown that raised thousands for charity. The 2026 event promises even more flavour and friendly rivalry, with a glamorous banquet and live cultural entertainment rounding off the evening.
Beyond the Banquet
While the spectacle on stage draws the crowds, LoveBrum’s work is what gives the event its weight. The charity’s mission is to fund and champion Birmingham’s hidden heroes – small grassroots projects that rarely receive mainstream attention but deliver vital impact. Past beneficiaries include initiatives tackling homelessness, mental health, youth development, and food poverty.
As Adam Heard, Charity Manager at LoveBrum, puts it:
“Curry King is more than just a fun night out – it’s about celebrating our city, its people, and its passion for food. Every ticket sold helps us support grassroots projects and hidden heroes who are making Birmingham a better place to live and work.”
By partnering with Blanc NRI during National Curry Week, the charity is extending that spirit of giving into everyday dining. Instead of waiting for February’s black-tie spectacle, curry lovers can start contributing now – one plate at a time.
Blanc NRI’s Place in the Mix
Blanc NRI has carved a reputation for bringing a modern, elevated take on Indian cuisine to the Arcadian, one of Birmingham’s most vibrant dining quarters. Under Ahmed’s leadership, the restaurant has become a go-to for those seeking dishes that are both rooted in tradition and refreshed with contemporary flair.
Its involvement with Curry King feels like a natural extension of that ethos – honouring the culinary heritage of curry while using food as a bridge to something bigger. As Ahmed notes, “Food is at the heart of Birmingham’s identity. This is about using that love of food to give back.”
A Curry Worth Ordering
For Birmingham’s diners, the message is clear: order a curry, enjoy the spice, and know that you’re helping make a difference. Whether you’re a Balti loyalist, a lover of fiery vindaloos, or someone who leans towards creamy kormas, every dish bought at Blanc NRI across September and October becomes part of LoveBrum’s fundraising story.
And with National Curry Week marking its 27th year in October, it feels like the perfect moment to remind ourselves that curry in Britain is about more than what’s on the plate. It’s about identity, community, and connection – all values that events like Curry King of Birmingham and initiatives like Blanc NRI’s support are working hard to preserve.
So, while the city gears up for the Curry King showdown in February, the celebration has already begun. And thanks to Blanc NRI, it tastes even better when it comes with a side of giving back.
