A businessman and restauranteur who came to Coventry to study engineering has revealed he stayed in the city after falling in love with it.
Shaz Mathews moved to the city to study and later worked for Jaguar Land Rover. But entrepreneurial Shaz felt so bowled over by his new hometown that he decided to start a restaurant allowing him to give back to the community.
Since opening last year, The Tiffin Box, on the Butts, Spon End, has been winning acclaim for its approach to food and customer service. But the restaurant has also used its name as a springboard for grassroots football teams and community boxing events.
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“I moved to Coventry around 10 years ago to study at Coventry University and I just fell in love with the city,” Shaz told CoventryLive. “I came from Manchester and wanted a fresh start in life, and Coventry gave me opportunities that changed everything for me.
“The people here were so welcoming and friendly. I studied here, built my career here, met my wife here and raised my family here. Coventry has given me so much and I’ve never wanted to live anywhere else.”
“I worked as an engineer at Jaguar Land Rover for four years after university and I felt the city helped me achieve so much in life. That’s why I wanted to give something back.”
The Tiffin Box has thrived since opening, earning awards and rave reviews.
“We want people to experience authentic flavours from across India,” Shaz said. “Our menu takes diners from North India to South India and showcases the diversity of Indian cuisine.
“A lot of customers tell us the food reminds them of what they ate while travelling in India. Hearing that from people of all backgrounds is something we’re incredibly proud of.
“We don’t take shortcuts. We could make dishes look brighter or stronger using artificial ingredients, but that’s not what we’re about. We want to serve food that is fresh, honest and authentic.
“The restaurant has become a place where families, friends and the wider community can come together. For us, hospitality is about much more than serving food.”
Shaz with Chef Joman(Image: provided)
That The Tiffin Box has gone down well shouldn’t be too much of a surprise. Shaz has utilised the skills of renowned chef Jomon Kuriakose, who is the restaurant’s director of culinary.
He also has tried and tested the winning formula, with a chain of Tiffin Box venues already successful in one of world’s leading hotspots when it comes to luxury and decadence.
“I have three restaurants in Dubai and this is my fourth branch,” he shared. “I could have opened it in London or another major city, but I chose Coventry because I genuinely believe the people here deserve the very best.”
This is a philosophy that drives Shaz and how he operates.
“A lot of the profit we make goes back into community projects because I want to create opportunities for local people and help young people make positive choices in life,” he explained. “We started a football club two years ago and have already earned promotion through the league system. We now have youth teams, partnerships with organisations such as the Aston Villa Foundation and volunteers who are helping young people develop both on and off the pitch.
“The aim is simple. We want to keep young people active, engaged and away from negative influences. If we can give them discipline, confidence and opportunities through sport, then we’re doing something worthwhile.
“Everything we do comes from a genuine love for Coventry. I feel the city has given me so much and this is my way of giving something back.”
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