Royton restaurant hands out over 10,000 meals to the vulnerable

An eatery serving quality Bombay street food and British favourites has delivered a staggering 10,000 free mouth-watering meals during the lockdown.

COVID hub nurses, A and E doctors, hospice carers and vulnerable older people have all benefited from the culinary kindness of Royton-based Khau Galli (meaning, “Food Street”).

This despite the restaurant only opening in December following an expensive re-fit and, like eateries across the land, suffering huge financial losses because they were bereft of customers.

Tadka dhal and vegetable biryani were amongst the Eastern delights served to Royal Oldham Hospital and Manchester Royal Infirmary staff by the restaurant.

So popular was the food with one department, that co-owner Kamal Rob had to stop delivering there – and instead, open the door of his premises to serve food for all adhering to social distance guidelines!

Created by Kamal Rob with Mofozzul Hussain, and menu mastermind Ambrish Joijode, Khau Galli is now back in business with safe-distancing measures firmly in place.

Kamal and his team kept a positive approach during lockdown and put helping others to the fore.

Kamal said: “We received a lot of support from Oldham Council, which is why we are still here.

"Although staff were on furlough, we still had rent to pay,” said the 35-year-old proprietor.

"We are offering unique but traditional Indian food and personally I used the period to think again and genuinely believe that this is a fresh start for the business.”

For the founders, “being charitable is pretty much a way of life, especially in these unprecedented times.”

Co-owner Kamal has also made similarly exceptional contributions to good causes here and overseas like Maggie’s Cancer Centre and the Rohingya Charity.

Serving what Ambrish calls, “the type of food Indians eat at home and across small eateries on the streets of Bombay,” Khau Galli is situated in what was once the Old Grey Mare pub.

And rebirth is one of the central themes of Kamal, Ambrish and Mofozzul’s work as they attempt to give local people, including apprentices, the opportunity of employment.

Commenting on why he has devoted precious resources to charity during COVID-19, Kamal said: “Hand on heart, I love doing these things.

"Every penny raised goes to helping people somewhere in the world.

"It is so satisfying to make a difference.”

Discover more about Khau Galli by visiting: https://www.khau.co.uk/

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