Curry was off the menu for Amir Khan when he greeted the poppadom-crunching media at an Indian restaurant on Brick Lane.
The Bolton boxer was visiting one of London's key Asian communities and food centres to promote his professional debut in the capital on 10 December.
But ironically, Khan could only look on at the feast before him because, as a Muslim, he is observing Ramadan.
"I'm fasting," said the affable teenager, who is tuning up for his third pro bout, in Glasgow on 5 November.
"I can fast and train at the same time - it's not a problem. I still spar during the day and I hit my opponents very hard.
"Last year I was with friends on Bonfire Night, but this time I'll save my fireworks for the ring."
Khan, who has already fought in Bolton and Cardiff, speaks with relish about his introductory tour of Britain, but his long-term aspirations clearly lie further afield.
 |  Mayweather is class - I'd like to fight him |
Admitting that life in the pros has been something of a "comedown" since his memorable amateur duels with Cuban Mario Kindelan, he craves the glamour of a fight at Madison Square Garden, New York or MGM Grand, Las Vegas.
"That would be fantastic. I'd love to box in America," he said.
Even according to promoter Frank Warren - whose reputation for caution hints that he may have to rein in his young star - that ambition could be realised next year.
But Khan's mind has raced on to the subject of world titles, which he expects to be accumulating by 2007 or 2008.
"I will stay at lightweight until I get a world title and then I will move up in weight when my body is ready," he said.
"I want to be a champion at four weights - light, light welter, welter and light middle - and then retire at the age of 27."
Big talk from a man who has fewer than five professional rounds under his belt, but Khan knows that expectation is sky high and believes he can live up to it.
Influential US promoter Don King called the Briton "super-sensational" after watching him beat Baz Carey, and compared him to Sugar Ray Robinson, arguably the greatest boxer of all.
While deeply honoured by such lavish praise, Khan takes it in his stride.
"It was mad. King told me he had never said that about any other boxer and he has seen Muhammad Ali and the best in the world," he said.
"So it must be something pretty special."
In the absence of an Ali or Robinson, Khan has set his sights on the man he rates as the premier pound-for-pound fighter, WBC light welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Junior.
"Mayweather is class," said Khan. "He's a brilliant boxer, with superb hand-speed, power and movement - I would love to fight him one day."
The prospect of that fight happening is still a distant one. But many of the qualities Khan identifies in Mayweather he shares, including the American's hunger to become a boxing legend.
For Khan, you suspect, the road from Brick Lane to Las Vegas may be a smooth one.
MMIX
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