Curry king Kaz expands his empire with another Southsea restaruant

CURRY king Kaz Miah has spoken of his delight as he expands his restaurant empire further.
Kaz MiahKaz Miah
Kaz Miah

The successful businessman, who owns the Red Lounge Group, has added another Indian restaurant to his balti-studded line-up.

The group already runs six restaurants across the city, employing 80 people, and it is currently in the process of renovating the former Snookies restaurant in Southsea to open it as a glamorous Indian restaurant next month.

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Not content with seven restaurants, Kaz has told of his delight after he snapped up Purple Mango in Albert Road, Southsea.

Purple Mango restaurant Picture: Keith Woodland (161487-012)Purple Mango restaurant Picture: Keith Woodland (161487-012)
Purple Mango restaurant Picture: Keith Woodland (161487-012)

He said: ‘We are really pleased to have taken over Purple Mango. We are going to give it a refresh and we will make some changes to the menu to bring it up to the Red Lounge standard,’

The restaurant has been a long fixture on Southsea’s Albert Road, before it turned into Purple Mango it was the Eastern Eye for more than 20 years.

Three staff have transferred over to the new business, after the former owners sold up, and Kaz said he was on the look out for another four members of staff.

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He said: ‘It does not need much work as it is already well set up, but we are going to bring it into the 21st Century.

Purple Mango restaurant Picture: Keith Woodland (161487-012)Purple Mango restaurant Picture: Keith Woodland (161487-012)
Purple Mango restaurant Picture: Keith Woodland (161487-012)

‘We will be creating jobs, and we will be looking to more English staff to take up careers in the Indian kitchen.’

Kaz has been in talks with South Downs College and Highbury College about setting up a training scheme for chefs, in a bid to combat a national shortage of chefs in Indian kitchen.

He also said he wants to hear from more restaurants that would be prepared to work together on the project.

Red Lounge Group runs Kassia and Red Lounge in Drayton, Pasha, Red Lounge and Palash in Cowplain and Kassia in Clanfield. It also has plans to build a restaurant in Locks Heath.

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