‘Curry King’ Gulam Noon passes away
London: Lord Gulam Noon, one of Britain’s most prominent Indian-origin peers and “curry king” of the UK, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 79.
Mumbai-born Lord Noon founded the £200-million Noon Products business which is credited with Britain developing a taste for “chicken tikka masala”.
He had been battling with liver cancer for the past two years. He had briefly recovered following chemotherapy but his health deteriorated over the last six months.
“Today we have lost a giant, not only of the British Asian community, but also of British entrepreneurship.
A decent, honourable and generous man, who was dedicated to his family, but also to his country, the United Kingdom,” said Keith Vaz, Britain’s longest-serving Indian-origin MP.
His condolence message read: “Rightly known as Britain's first 'Curry King', he brought curry to the high street. There are thousands of people in Britain, in India and throughout the world who have benefited from his enterprise, jobs he created, and his big heart.