New Leeds restaurant launches Indian takeaway pizza boxes as lockdown forces it to shut after 12 days

Jazz and Aman Gill opened The Funky Indian restaurant in Pudsey in October, but had to shut up shop just days later due to the second national lockdown.

The husband-and-wife duo have come up with creative ways to serve their customers while the premises is closed.

The restaurant is serving up 'naan pizzas' and tasty Indian sharing boxes for collection, with a mix of eight Panjabi dishes served up in a pizza box.

Chilli Chicken, Chicken Tikka, Tandoori Chicken, Lamb Seekh Kebabs, Masala Beef Meatballs are included in the meat box, while the vegetarian box is loaded with Veg Samosa, Onion Bhaji, Aloo Tikki, Chilli Paneer , Paneer Tikka and Tandoori Paneer.

Customers can also opt for a mixed box, where they can select eight meat and vegetarian dishes. All boxes are served with Lemon and Mint Salad, Masala Onions and a side of coriander.

The food is served at fridge temperature and can be kept in the fridge for up to three days, ready to be warmed in the oven.

Jazz and Aman launched their business The Indian Curry Cardinal in 2019, bringing a "taste of Panjab" to homes across Leeds.

They started out as a delivery kitchen from their Leeds home, before launching restaurant Naan'Izza Co located in the popular matchday pub The Drysalters in Elland Road.

The restaurant was a hit with customers, serving innovative 'naan pizzas' topped with tomato sauce, meat or vegetarian toppings and loaded with masala fries.

After a three-month stint, the Naan'Izza site closed and the couple opened their second restaurant, The Funky Indian, in Richardshaw Lane in Pudsey.

Jazz told the Yorkshire Evening Post: "I used to stay awake every night searching for locations and couldn’t find anything, until this amazing building we now call home popped up.

"We met the landlord the following day, struck a deal, renovated and opened on October 22. Unfortunately due to the second lockdown, we then had to close after 12 days of trading and this was devastating."

After huge demand from customers the couple launched The Funky Indian website, serving up the popular Indian Sharing Box and favourites from the Naan'Izza menu.

Customers can pre-order from the website and collect their food from the restaurant on selected days.

Jazz added: "It blew up! We had to get staff in, have two kitchens prepping and Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve was crazy.

"It wasn’t as busy as it would have been if our doors were open, but it was the light at the end of the tunnel after two months of not having a wage and being a brand new business.

"Once lockdown is over we will open as a coffee shop bistro in the day, restaurant at night and a bar until 12.30am, but like many others we are just awaiting guidelines and instructions.

"We want to thank all the customers who have supported us so far in this journey."

The next share box collection dates are January 29-30. Customers must pre-order on the website before January 28.

The next Naan'Izza collection dates are January 22-23. Pre-order before January 20.

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