New take on classic Birmingham Balti, made using popular ingredients from Alabama, USA, devised for International Day of Birmingham
Global reggae stars UB40 first to try the new dish, which includes fried chicken, butter beans and peanut butter, ahead of Thursday 24 September
The move comes as the city bids for UNESCO protected status around world-famous Balti, invented during the 1970s in Birmingham by Kashmiri chefs
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The Balti, a dish synonymous with Birmingham, UK, has been given a makeover using ingredients popular with a sister city 7,000 miles away in preparation for a global celebration of ‘Birminghams’.
A restaurateur in the UK city has taken fried chicken, butter beans, and peanut butter – staples of the Southern US city Birmingham, Alabama – to mark the third ‘International Day of Birmingham’ on Thursday 24 September 2026.
The Birmingham Alabama Balti (BAB) has been dreamed up by Zaf Hussain, chef and owner of popular Kashmiri-style eatery Shababs alongside Birmingham Balti UNESCO sponsored bid director Andy Munro, and is blended with his traditional Birmingham UK Balti ‘gravy’ sauce.
The BAB is cooked and served in the same carbon steel flat bottomed pan – a defining feature of the Brummie speciality.
Amongst the first to sample the new dish were members of global reggae stars UB40 – well-known ambassadors for Birmingham, UK and self-confessed Balti fans.
UB40 founder member, guitarist and vocalist Robin Campbell said: “The band have long been fans of Birmingham Baltis.
“Throughout the 1970s, and going for food after long days of rehearsing, recording, and performing throughout the last five decades, this Birmingham classic has been a go to for the band.”
“To taste a new Balti designed with our cousins across the water in mind as part of shared celebrations of our cities is an honour. Music and food are universal languages that bring people together.
“Its also good training for us as we head to the US for a major tour throughout September, October and November.
“We’re delighted to be backing International Day of Birmingham and the UNESCO Birmingham Balti bid.”
Both Shababs and UB40 are supporters of the major annual celebration of Birmingham, UK and its namesakes across the world, created as part of Sky TV show Joe Lycett’s United States of Birmingham.
The yearly celebration recognises the contribution of the city, and its people and places – alongside sister towns and cities across the world which bear the same name.
The Birmingham Balti is currently being considered for protected status under the UK’s UNESCO-backed Inventories of Living Heritage scheme to recognise and safeguard its authentic cooking traditions.
Zaf Hussain, chef owner of Shababs, who is part of the UNESCO bid, said: “The Balti, along with UB40, is a powerful cultural icon of Birmingham – a city that is the proud result of its many peoples and myriad influences on food, music and more.
“We are always looking for new ways to connect with our fellow Birminghams – creating a new take on a Balti using ingredients from over the pond was a challenge for us – but we’re delighted with the response from UB40 and all those who have tried the dish.
The Birmingham Alabama Balti (BAB) will be available to order at Shababs Birmingham on International Day of Birmingham, Thursday 24 September, and the following day, Friday 25 September.
Andy Munro, the Brummie driving forward the bid to secure formal status for Birmingham’s famous culinary creation, said: “If we secure approval, it will be the first genuine multi-cultural dish to gain this formal recognition.”
Bars, cafes, restaurants, and other hospitality businesses across the city have pledged their support for the big day, with a host of special offers including ‘Eat Like An Emperor’ promotion with 1981 prices at Chung Ying Restaurant which celebrates its 45th birthday this year, and the return of the Custard Factory donut at Medicine Bakery’s city centre sites.
Independent city food and drink brands Bonehead, Chung Ying, Loki Wines, Nortons Digbeth, Pips Hot Sauce and Spirit of Birmingham will also take part in International Day of Birmingham programming, as well as renowned city chefs Dan Lee (Hawker Dan, Masterchef Professionals) and Glynn Purnell (Plates by Purnell’s, Trillium).
For more information on International Day of Birmingham 2026, visit www.idob.co.uk