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Good
Curry Guide (Paperback) by Pat Chapman
Publisher: John
Blake Publishing Ltd; New Ed edition (20 April 2007)
ISBN-10: 1844543110
ISBN-13: 978-1844543113
Production-wise
this is the best yet of the nine editions from co editors Pat and
Dominique Chapman. 480 pages of glorious colour dotted throughout. As
usual, the restaurant comments are produced in conjunction with
members of Pat's Curry Club and, as always, some restaurateurs will
be delighted whilst others likely to be less so. The colour photos of
many of the restaurants makes all the difference to the presentation
as do the full pages colour ads dotted throughout the book. Although
the guide has only appeared on the shelves recently, the celebration
of the 2007 awards actually took place in London before Christmas. |
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BOTTLED
FOR BUSINESS The less gassy guide to entrepreneurship by KARAN
BILIMORIA with Steve Coomber Published by Capstone, a Wiley Company,
£14.99, paperback original
BOTTLED FOR
BUSINESS tells the success story of Karan Bilimoria - the founder and
Chief Executive of Cobra Beer. Karan shares his business principles
and gives an insight into how he has made Cobra one of the UK's
fastest growing beer brands and built it into a hugely successful
global business in little more than 15 years.
Karan Bilimoria
was 27 years old and had student debts of £20,000 when he set
off on his mission to brew the finest ever Indian beer and to make it
a global beer brand. With no prior knowledge of the marketplace, and
at the beginning of one of the UK's worst recessions, Karan entered
the most competitive beer market in the world - and took on an
industry already packed with established brands.
It was with
persistence, determination and a passionate belief in his product
that Karan launched Cobra in 1990, personally delivering cases of
beer to his customers in a battered, bright-green Citroen 2CV. By the
beginning of 1991, the company achieved one of its first important
milestones, reaching 100 Indian restaurants. Today, the brand has
grown to supply nearly 6,000 Indian restaurants, 6,000 bars, clubs
and pubs, and over 12,000 branches of leading multiples, supermarkets
and off-licenses throughout the UK. Cobra Beer is enjoyed in over 45
countries worldwide, and the brand boasts a retail value turnover of
over £96 million.
Bottled for
Business follows Karan's journey from the very beginning, charting
the key decisions made, obstacles overcome, and pivotal moments in
the company's history that helped turn a half-formed idea into a
global drinks business. Crammed full of business tips, insights and
interviews with key players at Cobra, the book will help anyone
interested in taking a good idea and turning it into a successful business.
REVIEW
: I don't know what I expected from this new 168 page book
from Capstone but whatever it was it is that and, perhaps, more.
Karan Bilimoria, or Lord Bilimoria of Chelsea as he now is, is an
example to all those who wish to achieve through sheer effort of work
and will. The book is a warts and all story of the ups and downs of
Cobra Beer Ltd and the title of the first chapter 'Persistance Pays'
might well be a good title for the book. The book takes the reader on
a fascinating rollercoaster ride and is peppered with boxed tips,
advice and observations. The book, and indeed the company, reflect
the personality of the man himself and is both interesting and, for
other aspirers, inspirational. ED |
