About APAB – The Association for the Protection of the Authentic Balti

The Association for the Protection of the Authentic Balti (APAB ) has been formed to protect the authenticity of Birmingham’s most famous dish. A group of genuine balti restaurants have formed a core group and are bound by a Memorandum of Understanding in relation to the preparation of their balti dishes. Part of the reason for this initiative is the term ‘balti’ has been corrupted by supermarkets, pie manufacturers and unfortunately by many restaurants to relate to a variety of ‘curry’ products nothing to do with an authentic Birmingham Balti.
All restaurants who are members of APAB can display a copywrited window sticker as a badge of authenticity, the design of which can also be used in their marketing materials. New members are welcome either by direct application or by customer referral but will need to complete an audit form on their preparation and serving methods.
The Secretary of APAB is Andy Munro, born and bred in the Balti Triangle, author of the Essential Street Balti Guides in the nineties and more latterly, ‘The Balti..It’s Birth, It’s Boom Years and Beyond‘, a book telling the story of the Birmingham Balti’.

In addition to restaurant members, a subgroup of Birmingham ‘champions’  has been set up to support a bid for the authentic Birmingham Balti to acquire formal status under the proposed  Government( DCMS) Living Heritage scheme .

The names of the ‘Balti Champions’ are an ongoing process but notable  names already recruited are Richard Parker (West Midlands Mayor), Tom Cullen from influential on line newspaper ‘ I Choose’, Kirsty Bosley (Birmingham Live , Chief Reporter Food and Drink), Brad Carter, Michelin starred chef, Lyle Bignon (Birmingham Night Life Ambassador), Prof. Carl Chinn MBE, Ph.D, Brummie author, historian and raconteur, Ed James (Presenter BBC Radio West Midlands), Steve Heaps, influential curry blogger, Cllr Phil Davies, BCC Cabinet Member for Heritage, Becky Frall, Visit Bham Tourism Lead and Gary Newbon MBE, (Television Presenter and Speaker).