Apart from the usual aromas that assault your senses when you enter a curry house, there’s a definite smell of success when you approach the Temple Fusion Restaurant in Woodford Essex.
The buzz of happy customers, being served by contented staff, is almost tangible.
Winners of several recent awards – both national and local – the successful eatery has become a popular permanent fixture in the local community over the past decade.
Fresh from his latest success at his year’s prestigious national Curry Life Awards – where the restaurant picked up a Best Restaurant of the Year Award – owner, chef and general all-rounder Soydul Hussain explains the secret of their success.
He says: “The trick is not to get complacent. This is such a competitive industry, which is constantly evolving with developments like new kitchen technology or front-of-house software, that you simply cannot risk standing still.”
As if to prove his point as we settle at our table, we are presented with a newly revised menu which has been a major recent project for Soydul and his team.
“The fusion menu is a good example of our desire to keep pace with changing tastes of our customers,” he explains.
“Over time you get to know what’s popular with regulars, and sometimes try little tweaks on old favourites for our more adventurous customers.”
Hence the new fusion menu includes Nepalese specialities such as Gurkha Jinhgha (where large prawns are marinated in a mixture of wholegrain mustard, lemon juice and ground spices) – as well as a clear nod to the trend towards vegan and vegetarian fare (including a Vegetable Sizzler and Quorn versions of Rogan Gosh, Bhuna, Madras and other traditional dishes).
There have also been significant front-of-house changes outside of the kitchen – with a total revamp of the dining area and the introduction of an outside eating area which proved extremely popular over the summer months.
Judging by our experience when visiting the restaurant on a busy weekday evening, the tweaks to the menu and restaurant ambiance are much appreciated by diners.
One regular customer seated at a nearby table with a group of friends confirmed: “There’s a group of around eight to ten of us who have been coming every week for the past ten years so they must be doing something right!
“We find the staff really helpful and it’s a nice relaxing atmosphere. The menu is really comprehensive too, so there’s pretty much something to suit everyone.”
Since opening around 13 years ago, Soydul is proud to point out that capacity and staffing have both virtually doubled to 80 covers and 17 staff – “while trying to maintain a homely, relaxed vibe.”
He sums up: “Our growth has been a big team effort – as was noted by the Curry Life award judges – and I like to think we are all part of a family, all working together to turn our vision into reality with a great deal of dedication.
“We couldn’t have achieved all that we have without my business partner and head chef Rumel Miah, who has been the creative genius behind our menu, constantly pushing boundaries with the help of his talented team.”
In addition to their coveted Curry Life Award, other recent accolades have come in the form of a Best Restaurant gong from the Bangladesh Caterers Association and local recognition in an awards programme run by the Guardian Group of newspapers.
There’s no doubt that something is stirring in this part of Essex – and the restaurant is developing into a Temple of Boom!
Temple Fusion Restaurant
Jubilee Parade, Snakes Lane East, Woodford Green, IG8 7QF – Tel: 020 8505 6687
