Royal recognition for award winner
A Hamilton takeaway owner has been invited to meet the Queen at one of her annual Garden Parties.
The Original Mr Chef boss Wasim Arshad said it’s an “absolute honour” and can’t wait for the event in June.
During the summer, the monarch traditionally hosts a number of Garden Parties at Buckingham Palace, and one is held in Scotland at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
Over 30,000 lucky guests attend as the Queen gets the chance to speak to a broad range of people, all of whom have been chosen for making a positive impact in their community.
Wasim, who runs award-winning takeaways in Hamilton and Uddingston, has seen his business nominated for several top gongs in recent years, including the British Takeaway Awards and the Scottish Curry Awards.
He has also led charitable missions through the course of the pandemic, delivering free food and supplies to those struggling in the community.
And last year, the food joint created 35 local jobs in Hamilton after branching out. Wasim also organised an international charity project last year where he was able to help 50 deprived families in South Sudan by providing chickens and hens, used for eggs and breeding– providing vital income for those in poverty.
The Original Mr Chef owner is struggling to contain his excitement after receiving his letter to attend the Queen’s Garden Party.
It came from the Scottish Government, stating that the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has recommended to the event’s organiser that he should receive an invitation.
The letter described the occasion as “once in a lifetime” and included instructions on completing a form to confirm the invite.
Wasim wasted no time in responding and has already completed and returned his required forms and looks forward to the Garden Party on Tuesday, June 28.
He said: “I opened the letter and had a quick read as you do with most letters.
“I then put it down and thought is somebody having a joke on me.
“Then upon seeing the official parliamentary stamps on the letter and the invitation to attend The Royal Garden Party hosted by the Queen, I thought this is real.
“I called my wife who immediately thought I was joking and said words I cannot repeat here!
“It really is an absolute honour and privilege for a local Hamilton born and bred man to be included in a select few individuals who ever get to meet the queen in their lifetimes.
“A highly proud moment for me, my family, my 54 staff members and all my business associates.
“Myself and my business have won several awards spanning the last 10 years but this literally is the icing on the cake as we say.”
The Garden Parties began in the 1860s and are a way of recognising public service.
They have not been held since 2019, however, due to the pandemic.