Cafe Taj owner Rob Abdul has purchased an Iraqi fighter jet to fly curries around the world and use at air shows

Chef Rob Abdul has bought an Iraqi fighter jet to deliver his specialist curries around the world.

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The businessman who heads up Indian restaurant Cafe Taj in Parrock Street, Gravesend, says he came up with the idea with a pilot friend and is even taking flying lessons.

The pair expect to spend about £35,000 after buying and restoring the plane, which Rob says is needed because his food is requested from all around the world by top celebrities.

Mr Abdul, 40, said: “It’s a novel idea. I’m learning to fly and my pilot friend is a partner. We are really excited. When it is ready we will seek permission to fly it.

“One thing you cannot do as a businessman is disappoint your customers and I still regularly get requests from around the world, many are celebrities and you can’t turn business away.”

In the summer of 2006 the Reporter revealed Mr Abdul sent a rare takeaway to Germany during the World Cup at the request of dance band Opposite Worlds. He is currently the only chef in England capable of cooking vowl, a 3ft fresh water fish only found in East Bengal, which the band requested from their luxury hotel room.

The same year he was whisked to the Dartford Festival by helicopter when Lee Ryan, formerly of record breaking boy-band Blue, requested a meal for 40.

He also teamed up with an Indian restaurant in Bath called Bombay Nights and sent over a meal to the England cricket team during the Ashes.

He said: “We sent over a meal to Australia for them because they couldn’t get a decent curry anywhere over there. I prepared the meal, the now famous World Cup Boal.”

It was packed in special containers and seen by health inspectors before it was sent on the 8,998 mile journey.

His creations come from secret family recipes dating back generations.

When not in the air he says the plane, which is currently stored at Manston Airport, will be used at events such as air shows to promote Cafe Taj and give children the chance to sit inside.