Inspiring story behind new Bollywood Bar in Helensvale

The man behind a new Gold Coast restaurant that combines a love of Bollywood and traditional Indian cuisine has revealed the inspiring story behind his business. SEE INSIDE HIS NEW VENUE >>>

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A Gold Coast restaurateur has revealed how a chance viewing of a Bollywood movie led him to move to Australia and start his burgeoning empire.

Will Patel has just opened his latest venture, the Bollywood Bar, at Discovery Drive in Helensvale.

It is the fifth restaurant for Mr Patel, 33, who left his home in Gujarat, India, as an 18-year-old to study to become a chef in Melbourne.

“I saw a Bollywood movie called Salam Namaste in Year 12, which was shot in Melbourne,” Mr Patel told the Bulletin.

“I thought this (Australia) is a beautiful place.”

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Will Patel at his new Bollywood Bar restaurant in Helensvale. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

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After finishing his studies Mr Patel worked in a number of restaurants before investing his savings to buy Vinnies Pizza Pasta & Ribs in Tweed Heads in 2012.

“I put all the savings together and used all the credit cards I had and went for it,” he said.

Mr Patel has since taken on Vinnies restaurants in Beenleigh and Springwood.

The Bollywood Bar is a fully licenced restaurant. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

Three years ago he opened his first Bollywood Bar, an Indian Fusion restaurant in the Brisbane suburb of Carina, which is festooned with posters from popular Indian movies.

“I decided to do something from where I’m from,” Mr Patel said.

Some of the food on offer at the Bollywood Bar. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

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He has now taken the concept to the Gold Coast, opening a new Bollywood Bar in the heart of Helensvale which he says will use traditional Indian methods of cooking.

“We see people use cream and a lot of sugar,” he said.

“But we’re using natural ingredients like cashew nuts and coconut powder to make curry taste nicer, as well as not as hot.”

Mr Patel said he imports many of the spices used directly from India for dishes such as desi lamb shank, malabar prawns and kaju (cashew) curry.

Prior to Covid restrictions being introduced, his Brisbane restaurant was well known for its Bollywood belly-dancing sessions, something he hopes can take place at his new Helensvale eatery when the pandemic passes.

“Bollywood is popular within the community”, he said. “The best way to blend in with the Aussie community is through the movies and the food”.

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