Press releases

Visitors to Birmingham will be able to get an insight into the city’s famous Balti Triangle with Marketing Birmingham’s Balti Breaks.
 
For the 4th year running, Marketing Birmingham is offering the popular Balti Breaks which give a behind the scenes tour of the area, home of Birmingham’s famous Balti and widely

thought of as being the origin of the dish. Almost 400 people have enjoyed the Balti Breaks so far, with visitors travelling from all corners of the UK, including Edinburgh and Devon, to experience the city’s unique culinary offering.
 
The tour will provide food lovers with the chance to enjoy cooking, tasting and shopping in the Balti Triangle, and show why the area was recently named as one of the top 25 must do experiences in the UK by Rough Guide 2007.   
 
The afternoon begins with a leisurely drink as one of the best Balti chefs in the city shares some of the tricks of the trade.  This is followed by a demonstration and a guided tour of the Balti Triangle, giving an insider’s view of the area and includes a visit to a traditional sweet centre and a wide range of shops from textiles to a traditional grocery store. The day is rounded off with an authentic three course Balti meal at one of the area’s top restaurants and a quiz to test your Balti expertise.   
 
With the option to include an overnight stay in Birmingham’s city centre, guests can also experience one of the most dynamic cities in Europe with its revitalised city centre, award winning shops, cultural events and the appearance of some of Britain’s best hotels,restaurants and bars.
 
This year, Marketing Birmingham’s Balti Breaks will take place at the Balti Triangle’s Royal Naim Restaurant, Al Faisals Restaurant, Al Frash Restaurant and Zeb’s restaurant.  Dates for the Balti Break packages for 2008 are:  
    
Saturday 16th February, Al Faisals
Saturday 24th May, Royal Naim
Saturday 20th September, Al Frash
Saturday 29th November, Al Faisals
 
The Balti Break is £60 per person for the day package. Overnight accommodation is available from £23.50 per person
 
For more information on Marketing Birmingham’s Balti Breaks and accommodation in
the city, go to www.visitbirmingham.com or call 0870 225 0127.   
 
For further press information and images:
Emma Ward, PR Executive, Marketing Birmingham
Tel: 0121 202 5075 or email us.
 
Notes to editors:
The Balti Break is £60 per person for the day package. Overnight accommodation is
available from £23.50 per person. This price is an overnight stay at the Paragon
Hotel costing £23.50 per person in a twin or double room. All packages are subject
to availability, terms and conditions.
 
Rough Guide – Birmingham’s Balti Triangle was listed at no.15 in top 25 travel
experiences in the UK in the book 25s: Britain and Ireland by Rough Guide.
 
Actor Shane Ritchie is a big fan of the Balti Triangle and says:
"The last time I visited Birmingham, one of the cast took me to an Indian
restaurant…I then experimented with a different dish every night. But the chicken
madras and pilau rice was sensational!"
 
Balti facts:
• Balti means ‘bucket’ but is in fact a flat bottomed wok
• The Balti Triangle area has around 50 restaurants  
• The Balti was first brought to Birmingham almost 25 years ago
• The most authentic Balti houses are Pakistani or Kashmiri, and not Indian
• Even the Balti bowls are made in Birmingham!
 
This project is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Download BaltiBreaksdatesfor2008_en (.pdf 45.31 KB)