Bradford aims to spice up tastes of Italy

A Fast-Growing Asian restaurant hopes to open a franchise in Milan.

Staff from Bradford-based tea bar and grill Zouk are to spend three days in the Italian city next month as they try to set up a franchise there. They will mett potential business partners when they travel as part of the International Business Network group.

It coincides with Leeds in Milan, a weeklong festival of the cities commerce and culture in Italy, organised by marketing Leeds and the city council to attract Italian investment.

Zouk will also open a branch in Manchester in November. Amjad Bashir, who runs the restaurant with his sons has plans to open a branch in the new Broadway retail mall Bradford city centre.

Mr Bashir said I believe the formula we have here is a basis for success in other parts of the country, although it will be essential to maintain quality standards and our reputation for serving only freshly prepared ingredients. There is no frozen food at Zouk.

The firm was set up in 2006 and within a year had increased the number of covers from 55 to 110.

Its further development plans include the conversion of a dilapidated building next door to expand the dining, kitchen and bar and the building of a food academy, which would train young chefs and help address the shortage of good Indian chefs in the UK.