My Delhi opened in 2019 in Newcastle with the vision of bringing the flavour of authentic Delhi-inspired street food dishes to the Northeast and providing a vibrant fun experience for its guests. By 2022 they’d opened a second restaurant in Sunderland, and won a host of awards including best street food restaurant at the British and Asian Curry Awards, as well as taking home the title of Britain’s Top Takeaway on the BBC TV programme of the same name. Now, in 2023, it has just been crowned the nation’s best street food restaurant of the year at the National Curry Awards, and the North East’s best takeaway at the Just Eat Restaurant Awards. They want to spread the joy and give back to the communities that helped the business grow and have chosen to support Chuf as their very first charity partners.

Alicia Clovis-Mothalib Chuf’s Corporate and Trusts fundraising manager talked about how the partnership came about:

“It’s no secret that my family love Indian food, so when My Delhi first opened in Newcastle we were excited. Not only was the food delicious, but there’s such genuine warmth from the whole team every single visit. The business was quickly flourishing and then the pandemic hit.

This spelt disaster for many in the hospitality sector, but My Delhi adapted so well, they engaged their community on social media and demonstrated their love of family and desire to connect with their customers. I knew at that point, this was exactly the sort of business that Chuf could work with. They wear their heart on their sleeve and evidently shared our values around family and the joy in cherishing special moments together.  When we eventually managed to sit down and talk about how a charity partnership could work, the ideas flowed really easily!”

Co-founder Elahi Shah gave an insight into the ethos behind the business and explained why family matters so much to the team.

“We followed in our father’s footsteps going into the restaurant trade. He set up business in South Shields back when we were kids and he taught us the importance of looking after guests. I say guests rather than customers or clients, because that sense of community and feeling welcome is so important to us. Our staff aren’t just staff, we’re a family, each playing a part in the business’s success and in supporting the My Delhi experience.”

Business partner Chef Gaurav has over a decade of experience in the UK restaurant scene but originally hails from Delhi, bringing his own experience and family recipes to the table. He said:

“We wanted to make customers feel like they are in the very heart of India’s bustling capital, but to know also that we care about the local community here in the Northeast too. We’re grateful to everyone that comes along to enjoy our food with their friends and family- they have supported My Delhi in Newcastle and Sunderland, and now we want to give back!”

Elahi continued:

“We have always tried to do the right thing in the best way that we can. During the pandemic we took meals to some of the most vulnerable and isolated people in the city, but we always knew that we wanted to support a local charity that is doing important work in the region so Chuf is the perfect match. For forty years they’ve been there for families at the most difficult times; supporting a world-class heart unit that we’re lucky to have on our doorstep. My Delhi is proud to have Chuf as our chosen charity and want to raise as much as we can to contribute!”

My Delhi have set themselves a goal of raising £5,000 in 2023 which could help Chuf to provide 1000 meals to Heart Families staying on the unit whilst their Heart Hero receives treatment.

They have some exciting Charity events planned for later in the year, including something that anyone across the country can get involved in. Keep an eye on Chuf socials for more details!

Photos: Max Cooper Photography

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