User:Khris1942

E.P.Veeraswamy was, as most people think, a famous Indian chef who opened Veeraswamy's Restaurant on Regent Street, London, in 1926. In fact he did not exist, and was Edward Palmer (hence E.P.) the grandson of William Palmer,an English banker who founded Palmer & Co of Hyderabad and one of his Indian wives. It is possible that William was at one time an Indian Army officer. Edward used his grandmother's name for authenticity, and founded a company importing spices and foodstuffs to England. He also opened the restaurant, which was the first Indian restaurant in Britain. The original name was Veerasawmy, but in 1934 a typographical error made when printing the menus resulted in the restaurant and company being renamed. A book written by "E.P.Veerasawmy" and called "Indian Cookery-for use in all countries" was published and has become a classic of Indian cuisine. In the preface, Veerasawmy describes himself as the Indian Catering Adviser to the Indian Government, British Empire Exhibition Wembley 1924-25, Founder of Veerasawmy & Co Indian Food Specialists 1896, and of Veerasawmy's India Restaurant 1926-30. In fact Edward Palmer did all those things.