BRITAIN'S favourite national dish is under threat because of a staffing crisis caused by a shortage of training courses for specialist staff.

Ealing's Thames Valley University is only one of a few specialist academys of Asian cuisine in the whole of the UK and the industry is calling for more of them to be provided.

Enam Ali, chairman of the Guild of Bangladeshi Restaurateurs said: "There is already a shortage of skilled labour available to the Indian restaurant industry.

"This will only get worse unless more young people can be persuaded to come into the profession, preferably having been through specialist training."

Mr Ali's views were backed by local restaurateur Mr Miah who owns the Samrat restaurant on Pitshanger Lane. He said: "There is clearly a major crisis for skilled chefs, managers and waiters. It has got to be addressed.

"What we need is skilled staff who know what they are doing. There has to be some recruitment from abroad before we can train people locally."

The Academy of Asian Culinary Arts at Thames Valley University was set up in 1998 and 1400 people have graduated from their courses which are specifically designed to develop and advance the skills to be found in the Asian food sector.

Professor David Foskett, Associate dean at the Academy of Asian Culinary Arts told the Times about the courses. He said: "We are set up to train existing staff who are looking to upgrade their skills, as well as those without any prior experience."

But Professor Foskett warned that specialist courses would only work if schools do more to encourage young people to go into catering. He added: "Schools just do not promote catering. The whole education system is geared towards A-levels."