Created in 2007 and first taking place in 2008, The Lord Mayor's Big Curry Lunch (LMBCL) is the City of London's hottest annual event.
The first LMBCL took place in April 2008, hosted by the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress at Guildhall, the centre of the City of London’s governance, ceremonial and philanthropy.
The idea behind the event is that it would be a Civic and Guildhall event but with a difference: a fixed-price allowing guests unlimited curries and accompanying drinks, no seating plan, guests would serve themselves (and go back for more if they wished), and everyone would sit on benches.
The Lunch has had the unstinting support of each Lord Mayor since 2008.
From the outset, the Lunch had a number of purposes.
*To raise funds to support Soldiers and former Soldiers, both Regulars and Reservists and their families.
*To raise awareness in the City community of the role of the Armed Forces of the Crown. Particularly among a younger generation of City folk.
*To build awareness of the three national service charities that work ceaselessly to support all members of HM's Armed Forces
*To emphasise to City workers the breadth and depth of the City’s philanthropy in support of those in society who need help in a variety of ways.
That first Lunch in 2008 attracted 700 guests and raised £143,000. Following its success, the attendance grew year on year to the extent that we now use all the principal rooms in Guildhall, generously provided by the Corporation of the City of London without any charge. As of September 2024, we have contributed a total of over £3.7 million to help support all members of the Armed Forces.
From 2019 onwards the Lord Mayor’s Big Curry Lunch has aligned with the employment and employability strand of the Civic and Mayoral strategy ‘A Better City For All’, by providing financial support for veterans to take part in two programmes to help veterans in to work.
Be part of an incredible series of events that raise funds to meet the current need to support veterans of HM Armed Forces into employment.
