Swansea restaurant boss dishes up festive kindness with hot meals for homeless

The owner of Rasoi Indian Kitchen in Pontlliw and Rasoi Waterfront in SA1 delivered almost 50 freshly cooked meals on Wednesday 17 December to two city projects run by homelessness charity The Wallich.

The meals were shared at the Gorwelion Project on Gore Terrace and the Ty Tom Jones Project on Alexandra Road, both of which provide safe accommodation and vital support for people who have experienced, or are at risk of, homelessness.

“Christmas is about kindness”

Speaking about the gesture, Suki said:

“No one should feel forgotten at this time of year. Christmas is about kindness, and we hope that a warm meal helps bring some comfort to people who really deserve a moment of joy. Our staff were amazing as always — they jumped at the chance to get involved and we’re proud to continue to support our community in this way.”

Charity hails timely boost

Staff at The Wallich said Rasoi’s gesture offered a welcome lift at one of the toughest times of year.

Mark Winston, Area Manager for The Wallich, said:

“Christmas can be an especially challenging and emotional time for people who have experienced homelessness. Acts of kindness like this remind people that their community cares about them. We’re incredibly grateful to Rasoi for stepping in once again to support our projects in Swansea.”

Rasoi’s reputation for giving back

Rasoi’s ongoing commitment to community support has earned the restaurants a reputation for generosity, with regular backing for local charities and initiatives throughout the year.

Suki added:

“It really is our pleasure and ethos to give back to our local community, and we are so grateful to help a very deserving cause. We hope this helps to raise awareness of the excellent work being carried out by The Wallich here in our city — especially at this time of year.”

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Generous Indian restaurant Rasoi serves up free meals for children at events

The meals — curry and rice prepared by local restaurant Rasoi — were served at Back to School with a Cwtch events run by Swansea-based charity, Faith in Families.

Alongside the hot food, nearly 1,000 free backpacks and school supplies were handed out to help children start the new school year feeling prepared and valued.

Cherrie Bija, CEO of Faith in Families, said the summer holidays can be a particularly challenging time for many families:

“Back to School with a Cwtch is about more than supplies — it’s about giving children the confidence to start the school year feeling valued and prepared. Thanks to Rasoi, families could sit down together over a warm, delicious meal, turning what could have been a stressful day into a moment of connection.

“In a time when the cost of living is higher than the average wage, many hardworking parents just need that extra hand — and when our community comes together like this, no child is left behind.”

Rasoi, which has restaurants in SA1 and Pontlliw, said it wanted to support the charity’s mission by helping to remove one of the pressures families face at the end of the summer break.

Suki Kullar, owner of Rasoi, said:

“We know how tough the summer holidays and back‑to‑school period can be for many families, so being able to provide a warm meal and a moment of togetherness felt really important.

“Seeing children and parents relax, smile, and share food was a reminder of why we do this. We’re proud to support Faith in Families and the incredible work they do every day for those who need it most.”

Faith in Families works year‑round across Swansea, offering practical help, activities and opportunities for children and their families to help break the cycle of poverty.

#BlaenYMaes #Charity #Clase #FaithInFamilies #IndianRestaurant #Pontlliw #Portmead #RasoiIndianKitchen #SA1

Local restaurant serves over 1,400 meals to families in Blaenymaes, Portmead and Clase during summer holiday support events

The meals — curry and rice prepared by local restaurant Rasoi — were served at Back to School with a Cwtch events run by Swansea-based charity, Faith in Families.

Alongside the hot food, nearly 1,000 free backpacks and school supplies were handed out to help children start the new school year feeling prepared and valued.

Cherrie Bija, CEO of Faith in Families, said the summer holidays can be a particularly challenging time for many families:

“Back to School with a Cwtch is about more than supplies — it’s about giving children the confidence to start the school year feeling valued and prepared. Thanks to Rasoi, families could sit down together over a warm, delicious meal, turning what could have been a stressful day into a moment of connection.

“In a time when the cost of living is higher than the average wage, many hardworking parents just need that extra hand — and when our community comes together like this, no child is left behind.”

Rasoi, which has restaurants in SA1 and Pontlliw, said it wanted to support the charity’s mission by helping to remove one of the pressures families face at the end of the summer break.

Suki Kullar, owner of Rasoi, said:

“We know how tough the summer holidays and back‑to‑school period can be for many families, so being able to provide a warm meal and a moment of togetherness felt really important.

“Seeing children and parents relax, smile, and share food was a reminder of why we do this. We’re proud to support Faith in Families and the incredible work they do every day for those who need it most.”

Faith in Families works year‑round across Swansea, offering practical help, activities and opportunities for children and their families to help break the cycle of poverty.

#BlaenYMaes #Charity #Clase #FaithInFamilies #IndianRestaurant #Pontlliw #Portmead #RasoiIndianKitchen #SA1

Work to begin on 31 affordable homes in Pontlliw despite local opposition

The scheme, led by Pobl Group and delivered by Willis Construction, will provide a mix of houses, bungalows and apartments for social rent on land off Clordir Road, a site currently designated as countryside under the Swansea Local Development Plan. The development was approved under an exception policy for 100% affordable housing.

“We’re proud to have been selected by Pobl to deliver this important scheme,” said Rhys Ford, Director at Willis Construction. “Our focus will be on delivering high-quality homes while working openly and respectfully with the local community throughout the build.”

A divided village

The project has faced strong resistance from residents and community groups. Two petitions with over 500 signatures and 73 formal objection letters were submitted to the council, citing concerns about pedestrian safety, traffic congestion, and pressure on local services.

Pontlliw and Tircoed councillor Victoria Holland said the village’s schools were already full and public transport was limited. She told the planning committee:

“We are not against affordable housing in Pontlliw—we are just against it in that area.”

The development will include an uncontrolled pedestrian crossing near its entrance, prompting concerns about visibility and road safety. A planning officer acknowledged the fears but said the crossing met safety standards and that no personal injury accidents had been recorded on Clordir Road in the past five years.

Meeting urgent housing need

Despite objections, councillors voted 7 to 4 in favour of the application, citing the acute shortage of affordable housing in Swansea. A report before the committee noted that 268 people on the council’s housing waiting list had named Pontlliw as a preferred location.

Planning agent Rob Davies, speaking on behalf of Pobl Group, said:

“Demand for housing is extremely high in all parts of Swansea, including Pontlliw. Affordable house-building targets have been missed for four consecutive years. Sites such as this are vital to meet that need.”

The development will be 100% social rented tenure and managed by Pobl Group. The scheme includes contributions of £75,500 and £92,288 to increase capacity at Pontlliw Primary and Pontarddulais Comprehensive School, and £6,000 towards transport and highways improvements.

Community engagement and next steps

Pobl and Willis Construction say they will work closely with Swansea Council and the local community to ensure the project delivers maximum social value. Plans include support for local schools, community groups, and employment initiatives, with a commitment to using local labour and suppliers wherever possible.

“We are delighted to receive full planning permission for our proposed scheme at Clordir Road,” said Amy Malone, Project Manager at Pobl Group. “It will provide 31 much-needed quality affordable homes for social rent, for Pontlliw.”

The development forms part of Pobl’s wider programme to deliver affordable homes across South Wales, with a focus on energy efficiency, community integration, and long-term tenancy support.

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#AffordableHousing #CllrVictoriaHolland #ClodirRoad #newHomes #Pobl #Pontlliw #socialHousing

Swansea Rasoi Wins ‘Indian Restaurant of the Year’ at National Awards

Swansea’s multi-award-winning restaurant group, Rasoi, has been awarded ‘Indian Restaurant of the Year’ at the renowned Corporate LiveWire Prestige Awards.

This national accolade adds to the restaurant’s growing collection of awards, highlighting Rasoi’s achievements in delivering exceptional dining experiences for customers. 

The win comes at a particularly momentous time for Rasoi, as Rasoi Waterfront in SA1 celebrates its 10th anniversary. Founded by Swansea brothers Jas and Suki Kullar, Rasoi first launched Rasoi Indian Kitchen in Pontlliw in 2015, with the duo rapidly expanding their brand into new ventures such as Rasoi Waterfront, Rasoi Catering, and the successful Kullars restaurant brand in the Middle East.

Now, Rasoi has developed a reputation for excellence in Swansea, welcoming diners for authentic Punjabi cuisine, small plates and fan-favourite signature cocktails. 

On their success, Suki Kullar, owner of Rasoi, said: “It’s a huge honour for Rasoi to be recognised as Indian Restaurant of the Year, especially as we’re due to celebrate Waterfront’s 10-year anniversary this year.

“We’d like to say a huge thank you to our valued customers for their continued support, and we’d also like to extend our thanks to all the staff at Rasoi Waterfront for their hard work and commitment to amazing food and fantastic customer service. Without them, awards like this would not be possible.”

#awards #Business #IndianRestaurant #Pontlliw #Rasoi #restaurant #SA1 #Swansea

Rasoi launches Wales’ first Indian street food vending machine in Swansea

Located on Wind Street, in the heart of Swansea’s nightlife hub, the 24-hour vending machine will offer a fast, convenient and delicious alternative to the current late-night food options.

Designed for night owls, partygoers, or those just looking for a quick snack, the vending machine will provide authentic Indian flavours at the touch of a button any time of the night or day.

Using cutting-edge heating technology, each snack will be served hot, crispy, and full of flavour – just like they would be served at Rasoi’s restaurants in SA1 Waterfront and Pontlliw.

Owner of Rasoi, Suki Kullar, said: “At Rasoi, we are always looking for new ways to bring authentic Indian flavours to Swansea. We know after a night out, people want something quick and easy but aren’t willing to compromise on quality. We think our vending machine will be the answer to that and will be a game-changer for those looking for a late night snack in Swansea.  

“Over the past few months, we’ve worked with leading technology experts to bring this concept to life. If it’s a success, we’re hoping to expand to even more locations across the Swansea Bay region, for even more people to enjoy our award-winning dishes whenever they want at any time of the day.

“It’s an exciting step forward for us, and we’re proud to be the first in Wales to launch this concept. We can’t wait for Swansea to give it a try.”

The Rasoi vending machine will be situated towards the bottom end of Wind Street and will launch at 7pm on Saturday, 5th April. A range of hot snacks will be available including popular items such as onion bhajis and samosas, with prices starting at just £2.95.

The launch marks another milestone for the Kullar brothers, two of Swansea’s most impressive multi-award-winning entrepreneurs. Having opened Rasoi Indian Kitchen in Pontlliw as teenagers, they have since expanded their brand to include Rasoi Waterfront in SA1, Rasoi Catering, and their successful Kullars restaurant brand in the Middle East. 

April fool!

While the Rasoi isn’t launching a new street food vending machine, it is still worth checking out! Visit rasoiindiankitchen.co.uk for more info!

#AprilFool #foodDrink #Pontlliw #Rasoi #SA1 #Swansea #vendingMachine #WindStreet