Bradford’s new International Food Academy is set to get a high-profile visit in the form of Government Minister Eric Pickles in the near future.

Details of Mr Pickles’ upcoming appearance at the academy were revealed yesterday at an event that saw Mohammed Aslam, the managing director of the Aagrah group of restaurants, officially unveiled as chief patron.

Michele Sutton, principal of Bradford College, said she had invited Mr Pickles, the former Bradford Council leader, after hearing him mention how it would be “jolly good if the UK had a curry college”.

“I wrote to him and said we have got one and he has written back to say he will come and see us,” she added.

Mrs Sutton was speaking as the patrons of the IFA were unveiled at the college yesterday.

They include Mr Aslam and associate patrons Bobby Patel, from Prashad, and Charalene Lee, the owner of Chino Thai, now known as Dragon Thai.

The IFA offers apprenticeships and helps train the unemployed to get them back into work.

Mr Aslam said:“We strongly believe in training and I think our community is better equipped than others because we have something good in Bradford.

“But we are only at 50 per cent and need to educate and train people to get to 100 per cent.

“You have to work hard and believe in yourself and be honest and have commitment and I am delighted to be part of IFA.

“We will do our best to work in partnership with the college.”