"And I really support the case for UNESCO status"
The Birmingham Balti’s quest to gain UNESCO heritage recognition has gained new ground as the Mayor of the West Midlands backed the campaign.
Self-confessed Balti fan Richard Parker has supported calls for the dish to be granted protected status.
The signature curry, which originated in Birmingham in 1975, is cooked and served in a thin, pressed-steel wok over a high flame. Unlike traditional curries, it uses vegetable oil instead of ghee.
UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage status would help preserve traditional cooking techniques while recognising the Balti’s contribution to the region’s cultural identity.
Mr Parker said he first fell in love with the dish after moving to the city four decades ago.
He told ITV News Central: “I’ve lived in Birmingham for over 40 years now – I spent my early years experiencing the fantastic food, which I really enjoyed.
“And I really support the case for UNESCO status, and the work being done, to secure that for the Balti dish, and also the Balti Triangle in Birmingham.”
The campaign was launched in March 2026 by a group of restaurateurs from the Balti Triangle, centred around Ladypool Road, Stoney Lane, and Stratford Road in Sparkbrook and Sparkhill.
Among them is Zafar Hussain of Shababs, who believes the status would boost business and protect the dish’s authenticity.
He said: “We have people visiting Birmingham and coming for you to sample a bounty here in the Balti Triangle from all over the world.
“Other people don’t cook it using the same method, not in the traditional way.
“We want to make sure people know what a true Balti is.”
The campaign is being led by Andy Munro, who has spent the past decade working to safeguard the Balti for future generations.
As secretary of the Association for the Protection of the Authentic Balti, he is seeking recognition comparable to protected regional foods such as the Melton Mowbray pork pie or Arbroath smokie.
He told The Sunday Times: “My mission is to ensure that when people come to Birmingham, they don’t go into a restaurant and think, ‘What’s the fuss about? That’s just like every other curry I’ve ever had’.”
The application process for the recognition is expected to take around six months.
Other foods and drinks to have received UNESCO recognition include Belgian beer, Neapolitan pizza, and the French baguette.
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