ABDUL LATIFAbdul Latif, who died on 20 January, 2008, was a dynamic restaurateur who laid claim to serving the world’s hottest curry.His Curry Capital restaurant in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, formerly known as the Rupali, became renowned throughout the UK, thanks to a series of publicity stunts that marked Mr Latif as a master of self-promotion.He was a certified Lord, held the world record for the longest curry delivery, let British servicemen and women eat for free and would refund anyone who managed to complete the ‘Curry Hell Challenge’.But as well as promoting his business, his antics frequently benefited charities in the UK and Asia, making him a sterling member of the community.Abdul Latif was born on 15 December, 1954, in an area of Pakistan that is now Bangladesh. His family emigrated to Britain in 1969 and first lived in Manchester but left the city after suffering racist abuse.They moved to Tyneside and Mr Latif got a job as a waiter at his cousin’s restaurant in Whitley Bay. Enamoured with the friendly Geordie locals, he decided to settle in the area and opened the Rupali in 1977. After a difficult first few years, it went on to gain a reputation for serving curries of award-winning quality.Curry Hell first appeared on his menu in 1987. Described as making Vindaloo taste like ice cream by comparison, the dish – made with a lethal combination of chilli seeds and chilli powder cooked to optimise spiciness – came with the caveat, "If you die whilst eating or as a direct result of eating the curry then your next of kin will incur the cost of your meal."Anyone finishing a normal-sized portion of the meal (and the accompanying pilau rice, naturally) would not be charged and received a certificate of ‘Spectacular Achievement’. Many tried, but the success rate stood at two or three in every 100. There was no time limit, but one man from Manchester polished it off in 90 seconds, to the amazement of staff.In 1994, he became the Lord of Harpole (a village in Northamptonshire), purchasing the title for £5,500 and thus laying claim to be the first Bangladeshi Lord of the Manor. He acquired lordly robes for promotional activities and patrons of his restaurant would make charitable donations to be photographed in them.As well as servicemen and women who had fought in Iraq, the Rupali also offered free food to pregnant women and local sporting legends, such as Jonny Wilkinson. Mr Latif’s delivery of a curry from Newcastle to an ex-pat in Sydney, Australia, put him in the Guinness Book of Records and he was a regular face in the comic Viz who described him as a "curry mentalist".Having become one of the community’s best known characters, he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts in 2003. "My being made a Fellow of the RSA is proof that ethnic minorities are part of this society," he said of the prestigious accolade. He stood as a local councillor and was a supporter of the Liberal Democrat party.Abdul Latif, who admitted his favourite meal was in fact fish and chips, died of a heart attack at the age of 53. He was survived by his wife, Neawarun, their four daughters and two sons.At a ceremony at the Bangladeshi Community Centre in Benwell, Newcastle, his son Kukon paid tribute to the self-proclaimed Lord: "He did a lot for the community, but not many people know what he did as a father. This is probably the hardest thing I have ever had to do and I will always be proud of him. He loved us more than anything else in the world and I will miss him more than words can describe. Please pray for my father today and forgive him if he has offended you."Peter Arnold, Lord Mayor of Newcastle, said: "Abdul Latif was a man who believed that, whatever we do in this life, part of our role is to do good and help others. He was a very good role model and he was always keen, whatever our beliefs were, that we should overcome the problems that face the people of this world."
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