The nation's influence on the London food scene is undeniable and exciting, with everything from neighbourhood eateries serving up regional classics, to Michelin-starred restaurants like Benares and The Clove Club continually drawing in ravenous crowds. And, for this year's anniversary, lucky Londoners can head to Brixton for a celebratory feast.
Indian chef Rani Pathare, known as "The Spice Angel" as dubbed by John Torode during her appearance on MasterChef, is hosting her first supperclub at secret bar The Beast of Brixton later this month.
With a menu comprising street food favourites like Dahi Batata Puri (these delicious puffed mini breads are currently all over your Instagram feed), Pulled Chicken and Chickpea Kachori, Lamb Dum Biryani and Aloo Methi; diners are in for a treat.
"When creating this special menu I wanted to showcase my favourite dishes using a delicate balance of spices to achieve diverse flavours from across India," said Rani about the event.
"The feast is a celebration of the Indian experience and The Beast of Brixton is a wonderfully intimate setting in which to tell the story of Indian cuisine."
With its entrance tucked away on Branksome Road, just off Acre Lane, The Beast is a hit with the locals and draws in a faithful crowd from further afield too.
As well as being a popular watering hole, the bar cooks up a devilishly decadent Sunday roast and is developing its calendar of hit supperclubs. Usually known for their punchy homemade frozen Margaritas, the owners will be serving their take on a frozen Lassi as a complimentary welcome cocktail ahead of the meal.
Rani's enthusiasm for the venue is contagious: "It's as if I come out of the kitchen and straight into someone's living room!
"I'm so excited to meet people at their tables on the night, share the traditional origins of each dish and raise a naughty rum lassi to India's Independence."
