The manager of an Indian restaurant whose chef was kidnapped and racially abused has told how staff and customers are determined to work through the trauma caused by the incident.

Rupa Miah, 28, who runs the Baburchi restaurant, in Stock Road, West Hanningfield, spoke out after chef Anwar Khan, 26, was carjacked while making a delivery in the early hours of Sunday.

Mr Miah, who has been running the restaurant since it opened seven weeks ago, said everyone had been shocked at Mr Khan's treatment.

Staff at the new Indian restaurant frantically called the police and local hospitals when Mr Khan, who is single, failed to return after making his deliveries.

"We called the last customers he was due to visit and they had received their curry. We waited a while but when he did not return we started to make some emergency calls."

It was not until Sunday morning that police informed him of what had happened to his chef.

The manager added that Mr Khan's health was top of the menu for the moment. He said: "As long as he is well, that is all that matters."

Published Wednesday, January 8, 2003

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