THE owner of a family-run Indian restaurant fed 100 NHS staff at Basildon Hospital - and has vowed to continue delivering 100 meals every week during the Covid-19 pandemic.

As the Echo continues with its #BackingEssexBusiness campaign, community spirit has flourished in some of the most unprecedented times we have ever seen.

With the backing of his loyal customer base, Adam Hussain, owner of Basil Spice at Cranes Farm Road in Basildon, has been working hard with his family to cook and deliver more than 100 biryanis to frontline staff.

The children in the family have also been involved by putting together Easter treats for families and children.

The restaurant has closed its doors but is still operating a takeaway service for its customers.

Adam, said: “I will make a minimum of 100 portions, if not more, biryanis, while the pandemic is ongoing, to feed those remarkable staff every Wednesday, who are risking their lives to safeguard the lives of our Basildon residents.

“Thanks to my loyal customers who have even contributed to the cost of ingredients. I was very fortunate to deliver more than 100 biryanis to Basildon Hospital last Wednesday, and the overwhelming comments and thanks that I have received was phenomenal.

“A front line doctor texted me and said how hungry he was, and to eat something fresh, healthy and filling on the go was priceless.

“This made me realise that time has become a very valuable commodity.”

Basil Spice opened in February 2018 and business was thriving.

For 2020, party bookings at the restaurant were booked out until June.

Adam prides himself on his rule of feeding people food you would eat yourself and treating people how you want to be treated.

After such a short amount of time trading, thanks to Adam’s attitude and outlook, Basil Spice won best restaurant in Essex for food and ambiance, hosted by the Euro Curry Awards last year.

Adam added: “The best thing about Asian cuisine is you can re-heat the food if it goes cold, and it will taste just as good, if not better, as by then the marination sinks in.

“I could not do this alone. I am lucky I have friends, family and especially my Facebook family.

“We are stronger together.”

“I want to say thank you to all those people that have supported me in this new venture directly or indirectly, from the Basildon mayor, council, my lovely family and to all those customers that order curry from us to enable me to return the favour to the ones who are now saving us from what could be.

“Please respect social distancing, keep washing your hands and stay home, be safe.”

Visit www.basilspice.com, basilspicebasildon on Facebook.

Call 01268 523526 / 01268 523532.