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KEBABS IN THE UK
Although the doner kebabs popularity shot up
since the 1970’s, according to reports, Kebab first
appeared in the UK in the 1940’s as immigrants from
Turkish, Cypriot and Kurdish communities arrived in
Search for a new life.
First-generation immigrants increasingly brought
their families over to settle with them and by 2011, the
the census estimated that the UK population of Turkish,
Cypriot and Kurdish communities numbered at least
500,000 people.
As with all migrant populations, the people
of these communities brought their customs and
cultural influences with them, including the Doner
Kebab.
The first UK kebab shop is reported to have
opened in London in 1940. The Istanbul Restaurant
in Soho is likely to have served kebab meat, roasted
on a horizontal spit and served with traditional
accompaniments including rice and salad.