Profile of Mr Agyapal Singh Babra

Agyapal, also known as Pal or Paul is a graduate in Commerce and studied Hotel Management from the Catering Institute in Bombay, India. Prior moving to the United Kingdom, he has lived and worked in India, Kenya, USA and Canada in the Hotel, Catering & media industry. Paul is married to Rani who is an Art & Design teacher at the Academy in Kent.

Paul has a great passion for cooking authentic Indian food. He is an instinctive cook and does not believe in using recipe books, his cooking style is totally different from the usual curry joints, he knows what he wants to achieve for a perfect taste!

In 2001 Canterbury Cook-off competition organised by the Canterbury City council; Paul came through a field of eight to grab a runner up prize representing his take away business “Baboo’s Authentic Indian Cuisine”. In January 2002, Paul launched Canterbury Curry Club with a basic concept to “bring people together” and to offer a variety of home cooked hot & spicy authentic Indian gourmet cuisine.

The Lord Mayor of Canterbury is an Honorary Patron of the Canterbury Curry Club; the club is a family run business. They set up their curry stalls; in 2007 World Archery competition held at the Duke of York military school in Dover, Kent, Olympic handover street party for 2012 London Olympics, school curry workshops and regularly participates in the Euro fair & festivals.

Paul has been invited by schools to conduct food technology demonstrations and to educate students with his authentic Indian culinary skills, curry workshops i.e. how to make a Curry, basmati pulao rice, appetisers, snacks, chutneys and dips, etc. During the Spice awareness sessions he involves students to participate in learning and creating delicious colourful dishes. The club organises annual big lunch, curry evenings, fund raising events, takeaways, club take bookings for outdoor catering, curry workshops, spices awareness and food demonstrations. Club arranged a gala dinner for Gurkha peace foundation and joined the campaign to save the Westgate hall in Canterbury. The Canterbury Curry Club was invited to particpate at the Campus Summer Fest 2010 at the Canterbury High School.

Canterbury Curry Club was commissioned to prepare a Carrot cake (Gajjar Halwa) for the Kent Police for their 150 years of services. The grand function took place at the Canterbury Cathedral in 2007, the club is also one of the co-sponsors of prestigious Tri-angle youth awards organised annually by the Kent Messenger group.

Paul is currently writing his own cookery book based upon his culinary expertise and cooking style of “traditional dishes in their original taste” to include recipes not generally available.

Paul pursues a keen interest in travelling and photography; his photos were published in many internationally acclaimed magazines & newspapers. In 1994 he was selected as an accredited press photographer for the Commonwealth games in Vancouver, Canada.  

Paul has taken pictures of Mr Nelson Mandela, former President of Kenya, Prime Minister of Canada and the Press assignment at the Capitol Hill in Washington, USA, Indian Bollywood film stars including Dev Anand, Amitabh Bachhan and in 2002 Prince Phillips, Her Majesty the Queen during their Royal visit to Canterbury, Kent.

Mr Babra has been featured in many print media and was interviewed on BBC radio explaining the Vaisakhi the Sikhs New Year’s celebrations.