Glasgow chef claims chicken tikka masala originated in Scotland

Glasgow (Scotland), Aug.3 (ANI): A Glasgow chef has claimed that Britain's popular chicken tikka massala did not originate in the UK, but in Scotland.

Sixty-four-year-old Ahmed Aslam Ali, the founder of Shish Mahal, is claiming that he invented the dish, and is now calling on the European Union to give it "Protected Designation of Origin" status, alongside the likes of Champagne, Parma Ham and Greek Feta cheese.

Ali says that the creamy, mildly spicy curry was first made here in the 1970s to please the Scots, but then it went on to become the most popular dish in British restaurants.

"Chicken tikka masala was invented in this restaurant, we used to make chicken tikka, and one day a customer said, 'I'd take some sauce with that, this is a bit dry'," The News quoted Ali, as saying.

Glasgow's Labor lawmaker Mohammad Sarwar is now taking steps to gain EU legal protection for the curry. (ANI)