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Jersey restaurant curries favour with former Prime Minister

Jersey restaurant curries favour with former Prime Minister

Thursday 07 April 2022

Jersey restaurant curries favour with former Prime Minister

Thursday 07 April 2022


A local curry house was "very humbled" after a 'Major' visit last night.

John Major and his wife Norma enjoyed an Indian meal on Wednesday at Noya Shapla in St. Aubin.

79-year-old Mr Major served as UK Prime Minister and Leader of the Conservative party from 1990 to 1997, and was an MP from 1979 to 2001.

Owner Johirul Miah said the visit was a "proud moment" for himself personally and the restaurant.

He told Express that Mr Major had made the booking, but that staff were unaware it was the former PM.

When the couple arrived, the whole team were trying to figure out who he was as they recognised the face. 

Mr Miah said "growing up as a kid, he was the Prime Minister", so "it was nice" to have him dining at his restaurant.

Pictured: The owner said he was "very humbled to have him at the restaurant".

Diners on other tables at the restaurant also recognised the former Prime Minister. "I even had to double check just to make sure," Mr Miah said.

The couple enjoyed a three-course meal, which included:

  • Starter: Poppadoms and a chutney tray, followed by Aloo Chaat, Vegetable Chaat and Chicken Tikka Puri.

  • Main: Prawn Balti, Lamb Bhuna, Pilau rice.

  • Dessert: Mango sorbets.

This was paired with some Cobra beers and still water. 

"He was a very nice person to talk to, very genuine, he was humble," Mr Miah said. 

The pair enjoyed their food, with Mr Major apparently commenting that "it was better than England". 

"I told my family. It's a proud moment," he added.

Mr Miah's father came to Jersey in 1965 and opened the first Indian restaurant on the island.

He ran the Shapla Indian Restaurant in St. Aubin for 20 years before passing the trade on to his son.

After moving the business to town in 2014, where they offered take-away and deliveries, they decided to come back to St. Aubin five years ago, opening at the former NatWest premises and have been there ever since.

"It's my duty to keep my father's restaurant going," Mr Miah said.

Noya Shapla hope to see Mr Major again. 

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