Tandoori Nights

Would you any of your club members be interested in attending our Indian Buffet Fundraiser was the note we received in early April, 2026 from Mike Barrett of the Rotary Club of Basildon.  The event would be hosted by them at the Tandoori Parlour, Thundersley, on Wednesday May 6 at 6.45pm for an evening of great food, fun and good company, the third year in a row to which we had been invited.

Top Restaurant

The Tandoori Parlour is in Thundersley and is one of the largest Indian restaurants in Essex, known for its excellent Nepalese and Indian Cuisine.  Not only that, but it has been voted by notable gourmets and chefs Lloyd Grossman and Ainsley Harriott, as one of the top four Indian restaurants in the UK.  So ... not an invitation to be missed!

We always like to support Rotary Club of Basildon initiatives so Peter Greene and Wendy, Robert and Rose Godfrey, and Keith and Gillian Wood, all went along to help support the event.  We arrived at the restaurant well before 6.45 p.m., as requested, in the car park across the road.  Then, first stop, the bar for some drinks, and then to our table ready for the food.  

Delicious Food, Great Service

The event was well supported with three tables seating the participants.  We were on a dedicated Rotary Club of Billericay table.

The Staff were friendly and attentive, and soon brought poppadoms and chutneys to every table, followed by a plate for each person on the table with a selection of starters.  “Tell us if you want English or vegetarian options” said the waiter, as he handed out these starters.

Then it was time for the main course, a buffet.  And what a buffet!  So many different dishes from which to choose.  We wandered around the buffet loading up our plates as appropriate and sat down for a delicious repast.  The food was very tasty, although some dishes weren’t hot.  We mentioned it to the waiter, and he immediately offered to cook fresh alternatives for us.  He tried to insist but we declined as we had almost finished what we had taken - perhaps we should have spoken up earlier.

Then time for desserts for those with space to manage them, chosen from the usual laminated card of speciality ice creams.  Many of us found the space to participate!

A Real Draw

All the while, Rotary Club of Basildon circulated through the restaurant selling raffle tickets, and not just to us, but also to the general public at other tables in the restaurant for an end of meal draw. 
Time for the raffle to be drawn.  How did we do?  Our table of six won four of the prizes – a hand-made stool, a bird box, a mix of Gins from the local Pigs Bay Distillery.  A successful end to a very pleasant evening.  How much did the raffle raise?  Over £200!  Well done Basildon!
Good company, great service, very good surroundings, and good food.  Above all, a highly successful fund-raiser which collected more than £400 including the raffle’s £200.