An award-winning chef is joining forces with Weymouth College to create a night of Indian cuisine.

Sujon Mia from Shalim’s Balti House Indian Restaurant in Weymouth will be teaming up with catering and hospitality students to whip up a delicious meal at the college’s HIX Academy Restaurant.

Mr Mia will work with the students throughout the day delivering a masterclass in Indian cooking under the watchful eye of Matt Parkinson, head of The HIX Academy.

Mr Parkinson said: “The opportunity for our students to work with local chefs – such as the team at Shalims – is invaluable. They can see first-hand the intricacies of a different style of cuisine and work alongside chefs whose experience and advice will only enhance their learning journey.”

The idea for the event came together during a meeting between Julia Cohen, the head of external partnerships at Weymouth College and Shalim Abs from Shalims Balti House who was looking at ways to attract local talented chefs into the Indian restaurant industry.

Ms Cohen said: “Weymouth College is firmly committed to developing the skills of Dorset’s students to prepare them for their individual futures. We are really pleased to be working with Shalim’s Balti House on this event which promises not only to give our students an invaluable learning opportunity but also a great evening of food which we hope you will join us in appreciating.”

Shalim Abs from Shalims Balti House Indian Restaurant added: “We are really looking forward to working with Matt Parkinson and his students. It will be interesting to see how the students adapt to our style of cooking.

“The menu we have put together focuses on traditional dishes that can be found in Indian restaurants the length and breadth of the county. One of the objective of this project to see if any of the students get interested in a career in Asian cuisine.”

The family run Shalims Balti House Indian restaurant first opened its doors in Weymouth back in 1996 in the Clipper Cafe site on Commercial Road in Weymouth under the name of The Balti House Indian Restaurant.

The father and son business grew from strength to strength in the 1990’s and at the dawn of the new millennium in 2000 Shalim took over the business from his father.

Since then Shalims Balti House has won countless local and national awards including the British Curry Awards five times.

The event will be held on Wednesday, February 21 and tickets can be booked by contacting The HIX Academy Restaurant at Weymouth College on 01305 208979.