Aktar Islam
{{Short description|British Michelin starred chef (b.1980)}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2014}}
{{Infobox chef
| name = Aktar Islam
| image =
| image_size = 220px
| caption =
| birth_name = Aktar Islam
|birth_date={{Birth year and age|1980}}| birth_place = Birmingham, West Midlands, England
| death_date =
| death_place =
| spouse = Mishke Fredericks
| style = Modern British cuisine
Indian cuisine
Italian cuisine
Argentinian cuisine
| education =
| ratings = Michelin stars {{Michelin star|2|3}}
| restaurants = Opheem {{Michelin star|2|3}}
| prevrests = Pulperia
Legna
| television = The F Word, Great British Menu, Market Kitchen, Saturday Kitchen, Masterchef Professionals, Snack Masters
| awards =
| website = {{URL|opheem.com}}
}}
Aktar Islam (born 1980) 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, Opheem, and launched his now-closed Italian restaurant, Legna, in winter 2018. His new group of restaurants concentrates on the celebration of ingredients and is dedicated to gastronomy. Both Opheem and Legna opened to critical acclaim and Opheem received its first Michelin star in October 2019. In February 2024, Opheem received a second Michelin star.
Islam opened another restaurant in March 2020, Pulperia, an Argentine restaurant built around the celebration of beef, and went on to become the only Michelin-listed Steakhouse restaurant in Birmingham before permanently closing in September 2022.
AI Restaurant Group now is steered by Aktar Islam's 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. He returned to the Great British Menu Kitchen as a veteran Judge in 2022.
Early life
Islam was born{{cite news |last=Stuart|first=Paul|url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/local-news/brummie-chef-aktar-islam-calls-243772|title=Brummie chef Aktar Islam calls Gordon Ramsay a pussycat|location=Birmingham|newspaper=Birmingham Mail|date=8 November 2009|access-date=1 July 2013}} and brought up in Birmingham, England.{{cite news |url=http://www.tandoorimagazine.com/business/view/lasans_dynamic_duo|title=Lasan's dynamic duo|publisher=Tandoori Magazine|date=September 2011|access-date=1 July 2013}} His parents are from Bangladesh and came to Britain in the late 1970s. He is the second eldest of five sons.{{cite news |url=http://www.dailypost.co.uk/whats-on/restaurants-bars/aktar-islam-tv-really-changed-3186573|title=Aktar Islam: TV has really changed the way people think about food|publisher=Daily Post|date=13 April 2013|access-date=1 July 2013}}
Islam attended Prince Albert School.{{cite web |url=http://www.princealbert.bham.sch.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=130:aktar-islam&catid=70:look-at-us-now&Itemid=93|title=Aktar Islam|publisher=Prince Albert School|access-date=1 July 2013}} At the age of 13, Islam's first job was working at his father's restaurant.{{cite news |url=http://www.eat-the-midlands.co.uk/2010/01/06/lasan-birmingham-f-word-finalist/ |title=Lasan Birmingham ~ F Word Finalist |website=Eat-the-midlands |date=6 January 2010 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130701061237/http://www.eat-the-midlands.co.uk/2010/01/06/lasan-birmingham-f-word-finalist/ |archive-date=1 July 2013 |access-date=1 July 2013 |url-status=live }}
Career
Islam started working in the restaurant industry at 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 named the Spice of Life, in collaboration with Warwick University Medical school.{{cite news |author=Indi|url=http://www.desiblitz.com/content/aktar-islam-jabbar-khan-of-lasan|title=Aktar Islam & Jabbar Khan of Lasan|publisher=DESIblitz|date=9 February 2010|access-date=1 July 2013}}
In 2010, Islam and his sous chef, Aysan Shaikh, beat Curry Corner from Cheltenham on Channel 4's The F Word, after beating Santa Maria (South American cuisine) and Sweet Mandarin (Chinese cuisine) in the semi-final.{{cite news |author=Indi|url=http://www.desiblitz.com/content/lasan-victory-on-the-f-word|title=Lasan victory on The F Word|publisher=DESIblitz|date=7 January 2010|access-date=1 July 2013}} Aktar Islam then went on to win the overall final, after beating The Pheasant from Keystone.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_midlands/8447841.stm|title=Birmingham restaurant Lasan wins Ramsay's 'F Word'|work=BBC News|date=8 January 2010|access-date=1 July 2013}}{{cite news |last=Paskin|first=Becky|url=http://www.bighospitality.co.uk/Events-Awards/Gordon-Ramsay-names-Lasan-as-F-Word-restaurant-winner|title=Gordon Ramsay names Lasan as F Word restaurant winner|publisher=Big Hospitality|date=8 January 2010|access-date=1 July 2013}}{{cite news|url=http://www.redhotcurry.com/eating_out/2010/lasan-f-word-winner.htm |title=Lasan wins Gordon Ramsay's 'F Word' contest |publisher=Redhotcurry.com |date=7 January 2010 |access-date=1 July 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924085444/http://www.redhotcurry.com/eating_out/2010/lasan-f-word-winner.htm |archive-date=24 September 2015 }}{{cite news|url=http://www.theasiantoday.com/article.aspx?articleID=1782 |title=F-antastic! Lasan is Britain's Best Local Restaurant |publisher=The Asian Today |date=2 January 2010 |access-date=1 November 2014 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141101020136/http://www.theasiantoday.com/article.aspx?articleID=1782 |archive-date=1 November 2014 }}{{cite news |last=Moriarty|first=Chris|url=http://www.brumnotes.com/brums-lasan-wins-the-f-word/|title=Brum's Lasan wins The F Word|location=Birmingham|publisher=Brum Notes Magazine|date=8 January 2010|access-date=1 July 2013}}
In June 2011, Islam won the Central regional heat{{cite web |url=http://blogs.catererandhotelkeeper.co.uk/blogs/satellite-dishes/2011/04/great-british-menu-aktar-islam-sees-formidable-rival-richard-bainbridge.html |title=Great British Menu: Aktar Islam beats formidable rival Richard Bainbridge |last=Manzoori-Stamford |first=Janie |date=29 April 2011 |website=Satellite Dishes |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130701061221/http://blogs.catererandhotelkeeper.co.uk/blogs/satellite-dishes/2011/04/great-british-menu-aktar-islam-sees-formidable-rival-richard-bainbridge.html |archive-date=1 July 2013 |access-date=1 July 2013}} to reach the final of the BBC Two series Great British Menu.{{cite news|url=http://www.theasiantoday.com/article.aspx?articleId=2455 |title=Aktar Islam: Kicking it with the Big Boys! |publisher=The Asian Today |date=16 June 2011 |access-date=1 July 2013 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029192215/http://www.theasiantoday.com/article.aspx?articleId=2455 |archive-date=29 October 2013 }}{{cite news|url=http://www.desixpress.co.uk/article.aspx?articleId=2455 |title=Aktar Islam: Kicking it with the Big Boys! |publisher=Desi Xpress |date=16 June 2011 |access-date=1 July 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029191214/http://www.desixpress.co.uk/article.aspx?articleId=2455 |archive-date=29 October 2013 }}{{cite news|url=http://rewiredpr.com/news/chef_aktar_islam_to_feature_in_this_years_bbc_two_series_great_british_menu/|title=Chef Aktar Islam to feature in this year's BBC TWO series Great British Menu|publisher=Rewired PR|date=15 April 2011|access-date=1 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029193850/http://rewiredpr.com/news/chef_aktar_islam_to_feature_in_this_years_bbc_two_series_great_british_menu/|archive-date=29 October 2013|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}} 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 and mentor for MasterChef Professionals and also a veteran judge on Great British Menu. Along with other celebrity chefs, he attends the BBC Good Food Shows, Autumn Fair, Heart of England Fine Foods,{{cite web |url=http://uktv.co.uk/food/chef/aid/650306|title=Aktar Islam|publisher=Good Food Channel|access-date=1 July 2013}} Food & Drink Expo, Taste festivals, Grand Design LIVE{{cite web|url=http://www.resthof.co.uk/aktarislam.htm |title=Aktar Islam |publisher=Restaurant Hall of Fame |access-date=1 July 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029185243/http://www.resthof.co.uk/aktarislam.htm |archive-date=29 October 2013 }} and Sharon Osbourne's Mrs. Osbourne Presents.{{cite news|url=http://www.masala-mag.co.uk/PDF/masala-magazine_1277202928_3_4c2091f0.pdf|title=It's celebrations all round for top restaurant with award winning touch|publisher=Masala Magazine|date=15 April 2011|access-date=1 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029191019/http://www.masala-mag.co.uk/PDF/masala-magazine_1277202928_3_4c2091f0.pdf|archive-date=29 October 2013|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}{{cite news |url=http://www.menumagazine.co.uk/archive/dec09/lasanridinghigh.html|title=Lasan Riding High on Recognition and Award Wins|publisher=Menu Magazine|date=December 2009|access-date=1 July 2013}}
Until 2017 Islam co-owned Indian restaurants Lasan, Lasan Eatery{{cite news |author=Indi|url=http://www.tandoorimagazine.com/business/view/Aktar_Islam_talks_to_Tandoori|title=Aktar Islam talks to Tandoori|publisher=Tandoori Magazine|date=September 2008|access-date=1 July 2013}} (now known as Raja Monkey), 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, Opheem which opened in May 2018.
Legna was launched in the winter of 2018. It closed permanently in 2020.
He launched Pulperia in Brindley Place Birmingham in March 2020 and was due to launch another restaurant in Edgbaston, Birmingham in 2021. Pulperia closed permanently in September 2022.
Aktar at Home was launched in the spring of 2020 as a response to the national lockdown. This service has been praised by the Michelin-starred chef community and has garnered support and praise from the national press and the general public.
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 Birmingham Young Professional of the Year.{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghampost.co.uk/lifestyle/food-drink/photos-aktar-islam-named-birmingham-3912492|title=Aktar Islam named Birmingham Young Professional of the Year|newspaper=Birmingham Post|date=18 May 2012|access-date=1 July 2013}}{{cite news |url=http://www.thebusinessdesk.com/westmidlands/news/322998-lasan-chief-feasts-on-awards-at-bypy.html#|title=Lasan chief feasts on top award at BYPY|publisher=TheBusinessDesk.com|date=18 May 2012|access-date=1 July 2013}}
In October 2019, Aktar Islam became the first British-born Bangladeshi chef to be awarded a Michelin star and Opheem became the only Michelin-starred Indian restaurant in the UK outside of London. In February 2024, Opheem won a second Michelin star, making it only one of two Indian restaurants in the UK to hold two Michelin stars, the other being Gymkhana in London, and the first restaurant in Birmingham to hold two Michelin stars. It continues to be the only Michelin-starred Indian restaurant outside London. Opheem is also one of only four Indian restaurants in the world with two Michelin stars.
Personal life
Islam lives in Birmingham and has a son Alex (born 2007).{{cite news |url=https://www.expressandstar.com/lifestyle/2011/09/12/aktar-islams-perfect-weekend/|title=Aktar Islam's perfect weekend|newspaper=Express & Star|date=12 September 2011|access-date=1 July 2013}}
Islam also supports charities including Birmingham Children's Hospital, NHS Organ Donor Campaign, Oxfam and NHS/Warwick University Spice for Life campaign.{{cite web |url=http://www.birminghamfuture.co.uk/people/aktar-islam/ |title=Aktar Islam |publisher=Birmingham Future |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304235330/http://www.birminghamfuture.co.uk/people/aktar-islam/ |archive-date=4 March 2016 |access-date=1 July 2013}}
Despite his name, he is not a practising Muslim.
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- https://opheem.com/
{{DEFAULTSORT:Islam, Aktar}}
Category:English people of Bangladeshi descent
Category:English restaurateurs
Category:English businesspeople
Category:Chefs of Indian cuisine
Category:People from Birmingham, West Midlands