Aktar Islam is a multiple award-winning English Michelin starred chef, restaurateur and entrepreneur. He left the Lasan Group in 2016 to work on his new, flagship project, and launched his new Italian restaurant, in winter 2018. His new group of restaurants concentrate on celebration of ingredients and are dedicated to gastronomy. Both Opheem and Legna have opened to critical acclaim and Opheem has received its first Michelin star in October 2019. Pulperia; an Argentine restaurant concept will open its doors in winter 2019. AI Restaurant Group now has three restaurants and continues to grow, the group is steered by Aktar Islams focus on product led cooking whilst creating opportunities for young individuals from Birmingham. In 2009, Aktar Islam was crowned champion by Gordon Ramsay on Channel 4's The F Word. In June 2011, he won the fish course in the final of the BBC Two series Great British Menu.
Early life
Islam was born and brought up in Birmingham, England. His parents are from Bangladesh and came to Britain in the late 1970s. He is the second eldest of five sons. His academic father was a political scientist in Bangladesh. However, shortly after his parents settled in Birmingham, his father decided to open an Indian restaurant in Solihull called The Indian Palace. Islam began helping his mother cook at home from the age of seven. Islam attended Prince Albert School. At the age of 13, Islam's first job was working at his father's restaurant. At the age of 16, he left school and went to work in his father's kitchen full-time. At the age of 18 he took a job in an Italian restaurant. After two years, he went back to The Indian Palace, ran it for two years and turned it into a real local favourite.
Career
Aktar Islam started working in the restaurant industry from the age of 13, his first restaurant project; Karma in Shirley Solihull was launched when he was 20. In 2007, he launched his cookbook and DVD, called the Spice of Life, in collaboration with Warwick University Medical school. In 2010, Islam and sous chef, Aysan Shaikh, beat Curry Corner from Cheltenham on Channel 4's The F Word after beating Santa Maria and Sweet Mandarin in the semi-final. Aktar Islam then went on to win the overall final, after beating The Pheasant from Keystone. In June 2011, Islam won the Central regional heat to reach the final of the BBC Two series Great British Menu. He went on to win the fish course in the final. Islam's other television appearances include Market Kitchen, Perfect, Saturday Kitchen, and The One Show. He is a regular judge at the South Asian Chef Competition. Along with other celebrity chefs, he attends the BBC Good Food Shows, Autumn Fair, Heart of England Fine Foods, Food & Drink Expo, Taste festivals, Grand Design LIVE and Sharon Osbourne's Mrs. Osbourne Presents. In May 2014, Islam was interviewed by Nadia Ali on BBC Asian Network. Islam co-owned Indian restaurants; Lasan, Lasan Eatery, Nosh and Quaff, and Argentinian restaurant Fiesta Del Asado. Islam has also attended a reception at Buckingham Palace, invited by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip for his contribution to the British hospitality industry. Islam was selected by Marketing Birmingham to represent the city in their Birmingham Bites campaign. He left the Lasan Group in 2017 to work on his new, flagship project, which opened May 2018 and was awarded a Michelin Star in October 2019 making Opheem the first and only Michelin starred Indian restaurant outside of London. Legna was launched in winter 2018.
Awards
In 2010, Aktar won 'Best Local Restaurant' on Gordon Ramsay's The F Word. In 2011, Aktar came first in the BBC TV Series, The Great British Menu. In May 2012, Aktar was named . In October 2019, Aktar Islam became the first British born Indian Chef to be awarded a Michelin star, and Opheem became the only Michelin starred Indian Restaurant in the UK outside of London.
Personal life
Islam lives in Birmingham and has a son, Alex. Islam also supports charities including Birmingham Children's Hospital, NHSOrgan Donor Campaign, Oxfam and NHS/Warwick University Spice for Life campaign. Despite his name, he is not a Muslim.
