The new owners of the Marlborough Motor Inn, Chandra and Saras Singh, have added Indian food to the menu at the Stockmen’s Restaurant. The Indian Banquet is just one of many changes at the Marlborough Motor Inn in recent months.

“We aim to refurbish the Marlborough and provide the quality service that our customers expect. Plans are well advanced for the makeover,” Mr Singh said.

The decision to introduce an Indian Banquet at the Stockmen’s Restaurant pays tribute to the Singh’s Fijian India heritage.

“We are fourth generation Fijian Indians and have been in Australia for more than 20 years. As such in our restaurant we are introducing Fiji Indian curries,” Mr Singh said.

Mrs Singh, who has more than 50 years experience cooking traditional curries, will prepare the Indian Banquet in the restaurant, a role she enjoyed at the family’s first motel. The Singh’s own and successfully operate the Best Western Zebra Motel in Coffs Harbour.

“We increased business at the Zebra from 45 per cent occupancy to more than 75 per cent in three years. Against industry trend, we experienced growth every year. Of course a $450,000 refurbishment helped. Our children now operate the Zebra,” Mr Singh said.

The couple’s daughter Aarti Singh will operate the motel and restaurant in Cooma. Aarti has recently returned from five years overseas where she taught in Japan.

Following her graduation from University Aarti worked as a Senior Diet Supervisor at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and Concord Hospital. Aarti has now made Cooma her home and she expects the addition to the menu to be well-received.

“We introduced the curries at Coffs Harbour and it was so popular it is now permanently on the menu. We offer beef, chicken, goat and fish curries,” Aarti said.

The Indian Banquet begins with samosas and the mains include chicken curry, Fiji style spicy fish curry, and vegetable curry dishes served with rice and roti bread, as well as chutneys. The curries are accommodated to a person’s taste, whether they prefer mild, medium or hot food.