Aktar Islam

Early life

Islam was born and brought up in Birmingham, England. His parents are moderate Muslims from Bangladesh who 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 a standard 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 called Karma. Whilst at college, he worked for Shimlapinks in Birmingham. 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 profitable business for the first time.

Career

In April 2002, at the age of 22, Islam, along with Jabbar Khan, co-founded Indian restaurant Lasan in St Paul's Square, Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham. Islam is the head chef as well as director.

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 to win the "Best Local Indian Restaurant" category for Lasan on Channel 4's The F Word after beating Santa Maria (South American cuisine) and Sweet Mandarin (Chinese cuisine) in the semi-final. They 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 2012, along with Jabbar Khan and Andrew Kleanthous, he launched Restaurant Angels, a hospitality consultancy service offered to restaurants nationally and internationally. In December 2012, he embarked on his first non-Asian food concept, launching Fiesta Del Asado, an Argentinean Asado restaurant in Edgbaston, Birmingham. In October 2013, Aktar launched Raja Monkey, an Indian Dhaba (roadside café) in Hall Green, Birmingham.

In May 2014, Islam was interviewed by Nadia Ali on BBC Asian Network.

Islam co-owns Indian restaurants; Lasan, Lasan Eatery (now known as Raja Monkey) and Argentinian restaurant Fiesta Del Asado. The Lasan Restaurant Group also includes a corporate catering, higher education catering. Aktar is also the director of Restaurant Angels, a hospitality consultancy providing hands-on support and advice to restaurants.

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.

Awards

In May 2012, Islam was named Birmingham Young Professional of the Year at the ICC. He won the overall title after being named winner of the Entrepreneurial category.

Personal life

Islam lives in Birmingham and has a son, Alex (born 2007).

Islam also supports charities including Birmingham Children's Hospital, NHS Organ Donor Campaign, Oxfam and NHS/Warwick University Spice for Life campaign.