The Prince and Princess of Wales were treated to a variety of dishes at the Indian Streatery restaurant in Bennetts Hill.

The royal couple said they "love curries" and "secretly try lots of curry houses around the country".

Kate said the food was "so nostalgic" and said she "loves spice", while William said he prefers milder food, adding: "I'm a masala man."

Asked if their children like Indian food, Kate said: "Absolutely, they love it."

The restaurant's menu features a cocktail named after each member of the family behind the eatery, but William revealed he wouldn't know what to call a cocktail inspired by his wife when asked by general manager Dhiraj Sharma.

William admitted he preferred vodka and enjoyed a Kamikaze cocktail as they were "silent but deadly".

Kate said she enjoys cooking Lebanese food and added: "I quite like tequila."

During the visit, William took an unsuspecting customer's booking over the phone. The prince answered the call and made a reservation for two.

After arranging a time and giving the customer directions, William said: "He knows where you are now, I probably sent him somewhere else in Birmingham so I apologise."

The customer Vinay Aggarwal and his wife Ankita Gulati, visiting from London, then arrived at the restaurant ahead of their train home.

Mr Aggarwal, a software engineer, said he had "no idea" that William took the call.

He said: "It's pretty amazing and a surprise. I didn't know at that moment, but it's a very nice surprise.

"Obviously (I will be telling everyone), it's not something that happens often.

"I didn't recognise his voice at all, this is the first time I was listening to him on the phone, so I genuinely thought someone was taking the booking for me."

When asked about the unexpected phone call, restaurant owner Meena Sharma said: "All of us around him were really surprised he actually picked up the phone and actually said 'this is the Indian Streatery', and there was a genuine person on the other end wanting to make a booking.

"But I think he probably could have a role as a front-of-house manager, we could probably employ him to take phone calls in future as he did a really good job."

After meeting Mrs Sharma and her husband, Rakesh, the royal couple met front of house staff before heading into the kitchen to make rotis, a traditional flatbread.

They then took part in a cooking competition, judged by Mrs Sharma, which Kate won.

William admitted he would not eat the curry he prepared, adding "we will let that one just be in the corner somewhere".

He also asked staff for their best tips on preparing rice as it was always "soggy" when he made it, while Mrs Sharma jokingly told them not to give away the restaurant's recipes.

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