Abdul Latif

Abdul Latif was born in Pancha-Para, Sylet, Bangladesh and came to the UK with nothing more than a carry bag full of clothes, limited English and a desire to become and integral part of his adopted society. Moving away from Manchester due to encountering racism he moved to Newcastle and fell in love with the Geordies big heart. He settled and worked as a waiter in his cousin’s restaurant, and then opened his own called the Rupali Restaurant in 1977, in the heart of Newcastle’s Bigg Market.

Abdul’s dynamic entrepreneurial vision was light years ahead, compared to his counterparts. The Rupali Restaurant became renowned throughout the world for serving award-winning food with various publicity initiatives that marked Abdul as a true genius at marketing himself and the Rupali Restaurant. His flamboyant charismatic personality created a great buzz within Newcastle city he loved to the small corridors of parliament. Some of Abdul’s marketing ideas were ground breaking at the time, such as the Famous Curry Hell, which first appeared on the Rupali Restaurants menu in 1987. The first and only curry dish to be claimed as the hottest anywhere in the world. Abdul first introduced the Curry Hell to the UK public on the Big Breakfast show with Chris Evans and Gaby Roslin.

He delivered Curry to one of his old locals who had migrated to Sydney, Australia. The Rupali Restaurant holds the Guinness book of Records for the longest curry delivery ever. He offered free curry to Service men and women, local sports personalities such as Johnny Wilkinson and Newcastle United’s manager at the time, Graeme Souness, if we finished in the top three. Abdul’s love and commitment to his community was recognised by local charities, members of parliament, tourist boards, commerce and various organisations.

He was given legendary status in the cult comic; the Viz. Abdul was privileged to receive the great accolade to become a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts in 2003 for “his efforts to make a difference in society”. He joined the ranks of figures such as Charles Dickens and Benjamin Franklin.

Abdul became the Lord of Harpole, the first Bangladeshi Lord of the manner on the world, which had established him to raise thousands of pounds for charities in the UK and Asia. Even after the sad loss of Abdul Latif, he has been awarded the Gourmet Society Life Time Achievement Award and made an Ambassador of Peace, from the Universal Peace Federation.

The Houses of Parliament passed on an Early Day Motion “That this House mourns the tragic loss of Abdul Latif, also know as the Lord of Harpole, Guinness World Record Holder and former proprietor o the Rupali Restaurant on Newcastle’s famous Bigg Market, celebrates his enormous contribution to the city of Newcastle”.

To be honest with you there are too many accolades to name, please have a look around the Rupali’s memorial wall, to understand what a genuine exceptional man he was. The Rupali Restaurant will continue with the same essence of Abdul’s personality and we would like to continue the great memories for future generations to come.

Abdul Latif wouldn’t want it any other way.