Only a short walk from the sunny Salcoats beach in Ayrshire, Motherland Spice is a family run restaurant that has been a firm favorite with locals for 14 years.
Owner Madhav Bhandari explains that the Indian and Nepalese restaurant started as a family venture but has grown over the years.
“In the beginning we have only me, myself and wife and two staff in the kitchen. Now we have around twenty eight staff.”
“We are always busy, absolutely mobbed all the time and the customers are just loving it. We have a 99% regular [returning] customer.”
With one regular guest explaining that she thought she didn’t actually enjoy Indian food until she visited Motherland Spice, after her husband told her she had to try it, saying: “it’s the best Indian food I’ve ever had. The staff are amazing, the service is fantastic, you can’t ask for any better.”
Another guest explained that they traveled all the way from Lanark to attend Motherland Spice saying: “The food is something special…The staff are fantastic, the owner’s brilliant, he knows you can minute you walk in the door.”
He then further explained that one of his favourite dishes is the Chicken Tika Baja, the owners own creation.
“My favourite meal here is a Chicken Tika Baja. I can’t get it anywhere else, I think it’s the signature dish.”
Bhandari explained that there restaurant is unique as they create entirely new dishes such as the Chicken Tika Baja. “I have created the chicken Tika Baja, which is cooked with the touch of honey and peppers and onions.”
“a little bit of spicy and sweet. We just love it. It’s absolutely brilliant. People just like it. It’s amazing.”
Bhandari and the Motherland Spice have been chosen as the Curry Ambassador for Ayrshire.
“My staff is absolutely brilliant. You know, you can’t get staff better than this. I’m very happy with my staff and, and the whole team.”
“So I feel proud. I feel very good.”
Regional Curry Ambassadors have been chosen across the UK to champion their local curry restaurants and celebrate the unique heritage of their regions. They play a key role in promoting local food culture while helping to shape the future standards, reputation, and growth of the UK’s curry industry.
When asked about the future of the restaurant Bhandari explained that he could never move location or sell the restaurant. He wants to remain where he can serve his loyal customer base in Saltcoats.
“All the local people love us. So I didn’t want to go somewhere else.”
“All local customer made the motherland space. So as my plan is just give the best service, best food, best quality and good service and always. I love to give the consistency to my customer, either service or food or anything. Consistency and quality. That’s that’s the aim always.”
