Hubbard joins leading restauranteur to help Bangladesh flood victims
Cool Blue Naan gets cooler with Scotsman Easyfit EC-85
The Blue Naan is a really cool Indian restaurant in Felixstowe whose proprietor, Anwar Hussain has concerns beyond the restaurant walls. Not only does he serve some of the UK's best Indian food but Mr Hussain also cares about the plight of people in the subcontinent. He has set up his own trust - the Anwar Welfare Trust - in order to help people suffering from the floods in Bangladesh, and recently Hubbard donated a Scotsman Easyfit ice machine to the cause.
The Blue Naan is under day-to-day management of Mr Hussain's sons, Humayun and Tahir, who promote a friendly, family atmosphere for customers. The restaurant is beautifully decorated in a minimalist style featuring rich blue and burgundy walls with complementary modern furnishings, setting the tone for diners to enjoy individually prepared specialist meals.
After opening in early 2003 the Blue Naan quickly become one of the favourite haunts of Chris Davis, commercial director of Hubbard Ice Systems. Like so many professionals Chris finds it hard to completely forget about work when he leaves the office, and during one hot spell this summer he was amazed to find the restaurant was struggling with antiquated methods of producing ice for drinks. They were freezing ice in trays in the freezer and constantly refilling them in a frantic bid to keep up with demand.
"Why haven't you invested in a modern ice maker?" Chris Davis asked the Hussains. "Just take a look at our kitchens," they answered. "There isn't the space!"
He took them at their word. They were right - every space in the compact kitchen was devoted to food preparation for the extensive menu. But he spotted a small space in a corridor that would suit an ice maker.
The architecture of the Blue Naan caused another major problem for the installation of an ice maker - the location required the drainage to 'run uphill'. With ordinary ice makers this would be a problem, but not for the Scotsman Easyfit EC-85. It has a radical design with an integral wastewater pump. This pump means the machine doesn't rely on gravity to drain waste water and melting ice - the water can be pumped to a height of 1.5m or up to 20m to find a suitable drain outlet.
While the ice maker was being sorted out, Mr Hussain was planning a charity lunch for the Anwar Welfare Trust at The Blue Naan. Here, Chris Davis realised, was an opportunity to help Mr Hussain on two fronts - the ice maker and the fund-raising. If he donated the EC-85 ice maker to The Blue Naan, Mr Hussain could then pass on its cost to the Anwar Trust.
The Lord Mayor of Felixstowe was at the lunch on Sunday 5th September 2004 where the ice maker was officially donated. Altogether that day over £1,700 was raised for the Bangladesh Flood Victims Appeal. The Trust is ongoing, with tips from The Blue Naan's customers regularly donated to its funds. Recently Anwar Hussain sent out another £1,000 to Bangladesh charities.
Easyfit machines produce the famous Scotsman Supercubes: clear, long-lasting cubes of ice that enhance the appearance of drinks and chill more efficiently, because of their purity. They have integral storage bins, the latest electronic controls for maximum efficiency and reliability.
And since the Scotsman EC-85 ice maker arrived at The Blue Naan it has revolutionised drinks practice, says Humayun Hussain. "It's made such a difference to us. We no longer have to rush back and forth filling ice trays and waiting for them to freeze. The new machine is so quick and produces lovely clear ice. We use it in drinks and also to fill wine coolers for the table."
Chris Davis says his expertise doesn't stop with ice makers, and it was perhaps the sheer quality of The Blue Naan that induced him to join in the appeal. "It's the best Indian restaurant that I have ever eaten in," he said. "And believe me, I've eaten in lots." He adds, "We were delighted our ice machine was able to help Anwar's cause."
The Blue Naan is at 7 Hamilton Road, Felixstowe, Suffolk, IP11 7AX. Tel: 01394 671779. Web: www.bluenaan.com.
For information on the Anwar Welfare Trust, or to send a donation, contact The Treasurer, Anwar Welfare Trust, 7 Hamilton Road, Felixstowe, Suffolk IP11 7AZ. (The Trust's bank account details are: The Anwar Welfare Trust, Barclays Bank, Rayleigh, 20-70-93, account number 10251550).
