The chef at the helm of Bassingbourn’s acclaimed Indian restaurant is excited to bring the taste of his Bangladeshi hometown to the village kitchen.

Royston Crow: Chef Altaf Hussain and cousin Amran.Chef Altaf Hussain and cousin Amran. (Image: Archant)

Altaf Hussain, 42, who has worked at Yuva in Old North Road since it opened eight years ago, is back in Bassingbourn after single-handedly serving up popular dishes with a British twist to 800 guests at a wedding in Barlekha in the Bangladeshi region of Moulvibazar.

He says: “I got so much praise. They were a bit shocked because they are used to traditional curries, but they were really impressed.

“They liked the garlic chilli chicken, which is a fusion dish.

“I brought loads of fresh ingredients back to Bassingbourn – the shatkora, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, bay leaves and cinnamon – so guests in the restaurant can enjoy the same flavours.”

Most of those ingredients are familiar names, but if you’re not sure about the shatkora it’s a cross between grapefruit, lime and lemon which adds a citrus tang to curry dishes.

Altaf said: “It’s been a privilege to serve Royston and Bassingbourn for eight years and I am always ready to give more to my local community.”

Altaf works in partnership with his cousin, manager Amran Hussain, who said: “We love Bassingbourn. We try to get involved with the community, and put on fundraising events – we also sponsor the cricket team.

“We are inspired by Altaf’s hard work – travelling to various countries to learn and identify some tasty dishes to bring back to Yuva.”

To find out more about the restaurant, visit the website at www.yuvaroyston.co.uk.