During February and March, Ikon will be touring communities around Birmingham encouraging nominations, including events at HomeSense in The Fort Shopping Park and Birmingham Central Library.

 Families can nominate themselves in person or at www.arealbirminghamfamily.com  Through descriptions and photos posted by families, the online Family Album is building a picture of families across the city.

 Birmingham-born artist Gilian Wearing won the Turner Prize in 1997. In 2001 her film Broad Street documented party-goers at the various clubs and bars on the famous Birmingham street, whilst her 2006 work Family History, installed at Birmingham’s Brindley House development, reflected on Wearing’s childhood in the city.

Popular Starter - Chaat

The Broad Street based, fine dining Indian restaurant was voted as the Diners Choice Winner and The Midlands Best – Ambiance, Food, Overall, Service, Special Occasion and Most Booked. Pushkar was also voted UK’s/London & Ireland’s Best Indian and Best Ambience.

OpenTable is a worldwide online restaurant booking facility where food lovers can make reservations online for thousands of  restaurants across the country.

Rai Singh, Pushkar’s Creative Director, comments: “We couldn’t have wished for a better start to 2012. Collecting awards and accolades really helps with increasing business and is also good for the morale of the team. We would like to thank all the diners that voted for us and hope you carryon enjoying your Pushkar experience.”

Broad Street Wardens and City Pastors were delighted when the Lord Mayor of Birmingham joined them on a Friday Night street patrol.

Broad Street BID supported the development of the City Pastor scheme. The volunteers make a valuable contribution to the street, along with our Street Wardens, Door Staff, Taxi Marshals and the Police.

Broad Street is a safer place for all their efforts, just ask the Lord Mayor!

Hosted by BRMB’s breakfast show duo, Foxy and Giuliano, the glittering awards night at the ICC saw over 400 entertainers, businessmen and entrepreneurs rub shoulders celebrating the achievements of the venues, staff, management and personalities that make Broad Street the entertainment hub of the West Midlands.
Vintage cabaret style entertainment during the evening was provided by The Pin-ups.

There were 22 award categories in total Best Door Crew, Best Best Door Supervisor, Best Police Officer, Best Manager, Best Chef, Best Restaurant, Best Themed Restaurant , Best Casual Dining and Best Overall Venue.

Full list of winners:

The Ritchie Award for Outstanding Contribution and Excellence
Winner: Carmine Sannio

Outstanding Contribution for Broad Street
Winner: James Moreton

Best Door Crew
Winner: Walkabout

Best Door Supervisor
Winner:  Rafal Brezenski Rococo Lounge

Best Neighbourhood Police Officer
Winner: PC Steven Malborn

Best Police Officer
Winner: PC Abdul Rohoman

Safe Night Out
Winner: Rococo Lounge

Best Re Entry
Winner: Bliss

Best Independent
Winner: Oh Velvet Bar

Best Entertainment Performance
Winner: Nuvo Bar
Highly Commended: O’Niells

Best Restaurant sponsored by Birmingham City Centre Partnership
Winner: Pushkar
Highly Commended: Shimla Pinks

Best Manager
Winner: David Cox Grosvenor Casino
Highly Commended: Andy Chapman Bliss

Best Chef
Winner: Simon Bishop Branded Bull
Highly Commended: Steve Hewitt G Casino

Exceeding Customer Expectations
Winner: Mark Dovaston Grosvenor Casino

Best Front of House
Winner: Rai Singh Pushkar
Highly Commended: Shazma Astle Piccolinos

Best Themed Venue
Winner: Sea Life Centre Brindleyplace

Best Local in the City
Winner: O’Neills

Best House Team
Winner: The Figure of Eight

Best Night Out
Winner: Bar Risa & Highlights

Best Casual Dining sponsored by BRMB
Winner: The Obar

Best Overall Venue sponsored by Birmingham Mail
Winner: ICC & Symphony Hall

Best Arts and Entertainment Venue sponsored by Birmingham Post
Winner: Number Nine Gallery

In this issue, we celebrate Formula 1 legend Nigel Mansell being honoured on the Walk of Stars, meet new Broad Street tenants, Marketing Birmingham, and find out what has been happening with the building of the new Library of Birmingham.

We also have a chat to the new team at the Hyatt Regency, and discover the tasteful delights of Yo Sushi! in Brindleyplace.  We check out the Ikon Gallery’s programme for 2012 and take a peek at what the new year will bring to the big screens at Cineworld.

Read the latest edition online here - The Word

The Christmas Tour runs from 6.30pm to 830pm on Friday 16^th December, and must be booked in advance.

£40 Family tickets also available for this event.

This years British Curry Awards has seen a record number of nominations with over 68,000 from across the UK. All regional finalists and winners will be announced at the final by well-known celebrity Chef, James Martin.

Organisers of the event have teamed up with media partners such as ITN, Star Plus, BBC and the Daily Mirror in a bid to create an amazing spectacle that is set to dazzle all guests on the evening!

Bishal Rasaily, Pushkar’s Head Chef, commented “Its accolades like this I work so hard for and I’m truly honoured by this achievement. Thank you to everyone who has supported Pushkar so far and we hope to bring some silverware back to Birmingham.”

The BID has supported the Royal British Legion since its inception in 2005, raising thousands of pounds of much needed funds each year.

It is hoped that the BID’s efforts this year will help to raise the profile of the appeal. The BID has had a display of large poppies installed throughout the street and almost 20 6ft-tall poppies decorating the hoardings around the new Library of Birmingham site. Collection tins have also been distributed to venues throughout the area.

After much deliberating, last week Joanne Broomhall-Ellis was unveiled as the contests winner! The mother of six was nominated by her own mum for her skills at burning everything and being an absolute disaster in the kitchen.  

Joanne spent Friday morning with Simon Bishop, Executive Chef Director from Branded Bull on Broad Street learning how to whip up an extraordinary beef wellington and complementary beef tartar starter.

Simon trained at The Birmingham College of Food, now the UCB, and undertook a year’s training at the Ecole de Ferande, Paris, before moving to London to work at the Dorchester & Savoy hotels.

Since those early days Simon has won a host of competitions and titles, working in kitchens at New Hall Country House, The Belfry, Moxhull Hall and The Jam House as well as at Michelin starred restaurants in the British Isles, France & Spain.

Joanne’s nerves were quickly dispersed by Simon, who took her through all the stages behind the traditional dish. Her confidence quickly grew under his wing and the dish came together with ease having taught Jo the very basics, peeling the potatoes for the accompanying mash, down to what makes the best pancake preparation and the all important rolling of the pastry!

Caroline Ashton, Marketing Manager of the Broad Street BID said “We all enjoyed a gorgeous lunch following Jo’s lesson. She did herself proud and it was a real treat. She certainly won’t remain Birmingham’s ‘worst cook’ for long!”

Chefs still to take Birmingham’s worst cook under their wing include Brett Sandland of the Hyatt Regency, Andy Waters of Edmunds and Abdul Ishral of Shimla Pinks.

The run will take participants on a 13.1 mile journey from the City Centre down Pershore Road to Bournville before doubling back and taking in the sights of Edgbaston Cricket Ground and Cannon Hill park en route back to Broad Street and the finish.

The finish line is on Broad Street, between the Hyatt hotel and Centenary Square. Due to this Broad Street will have traffic restrictions in place on Sunday from 5am until approximately 4pm. These restrictions will run the full length of the street. Traffic diversions will be in place during this time.

A plan detailing the traffic diversions is available here. Please note that all businesses on Broad Street and in Brindleyplace will be open as usual during this time.