Nisha Katona

{{Short description|British restaurateur and television personality (born 1971)}}

{{Infobox chef

| name = Nisha Katona
MBE

| module =

{{Infobox officeholder | embed = yes

| office = 6th Chancellor of Liverpool John Moores University

| 1blankname = {{nowrap|Vice-Chancellor}}

| 1namedata = Mark Power

| term_start = 1 January 2022

| predecessor = Brian Leveson

| successor =

}}

| image = File:Nisha Katona.jpg|thumb|Nisha Katona with a selection of Mowgli Street Food Street Chat and Curries.jpg

| caption = Nisha Katona

| image_size = 180px

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1971|10|23|df=yes}}

| birth_place = Ormskirk, Lancashire, England

| style = Indian

| alma_mater = Liverpool John Moores University

| occupation = CEO, restaurateur, barrister, author

| spouse = Zoltan Katona

| children = 2

| website = {{URL|http://www.mowglistreetfood.com/}}

}}

Nisha Katona MBE (born 23 October 1971) is a British restaurateur and TV personality. The daughter of two doctors,{{cite web | url = https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/about-us/fellows/honorary-fellows-2019/nisha-katona | title = Nisha Katona MBE - Liverpool John Moores University | accessdate= 7 March 2024}} she is the founder of Mowgli Street Food restaurants and the Mowgli Trust charity, a food writer and television presenter. She was a child protection barrister for 20 years.

Early life

Katona grew up in Skelmersdale. She attended Scarisbrick Hall School. She went on to study Law at Liverpool John Moores University,{{Cite news|last=Evans|first=Peter|title=How I Made It: Nisha Katona, founder of Mowgli|newspaper=The Sunday Times |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/how-i-made-it-nisha-katona-founder-of-mowgli-0rx23qrrc|access-date=2 July 2021|issn=0140-0460 |url-access=subscription}} where she met her future husband, Zoltán Katona.{{cite web | url = https://www.realitytitbit.com/bbc/nisha-katona-masterchef | title = Celebrity MasterChef: Who is Nisha Katona? | website= Reality Titbit | author= Celine Byford | date = 11 August 2021 |accessdate= 29 October 2021}} She qualified as a barrister at the Inns of Court School of Law in 1996, and is a member of Lincoln's Inn.

Katona worked full-time as a barrister{{cite news | url = https://www.thetimes.com/article/how-i-made-it-nisha-katona-founder-of-mowgli-0rx23qrrc | title = How I Made It: Nisha Katona, founder of Mowgli| work= The Times | access-date= 26 February 2018| last = Evans| first = Peter}} in Chavasse Court Chambers in Liverpool. In 2008, the Department of Culture, Media and Sport appointed her as a trustee of National Museums Liverpool where she sat on the full board, along with audit and marketing. In 2009, the Cabinet Office appointed her Ambassador for Diversity in Public Appointments.

Career

Katona worked full-time as a child protection barrister for 20 years on the Northern Circuit.{{cite news | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-39489784 | title = The people who changed careers and never looked back| work = BBC News| date = 4 December 2017| accessdate= 26 February 2018}} In 2008, the Department of Culture, Media and Sport appointed her a trustee of National Museums Liverpool and in 2009 she was appointed Ambassador for Diversity in Public Appointments by the Cabinet Office.{{cite web | url = https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nisha-katona-and-sir-robert-crawford-cbe-reappointed-as-trustees-of-national-museums-liverpool | title = Nisha Katona and Sir Robert Crawford CBE reappointed as Trustees of National Museums Liverpool| publisher= HM Government |date= 4 July 2013 | accessdate= 26 February 2018}} She then switched to teaching about Indian cuisine.{{cite web | url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sponsored/foodanddrink/indian-curry-recipe/10699563/pataks-nisha-katona-judge-flavour.html | title = Nisha Katona: a great judge of flavour| work= The Daily Telegraph |author=Giulia Rhodes |date=14 March 2014 | accessdate= 13 November 2017}} She founded Mowgli Street Food restaurants in the UK, and also founded and chairs the Mowgli Trust, which donates over £500,000 to local and world charities every year.{{cite web|title=Leading restaurant cooks up a massive donation to The Clatterbridge Cancer Charity|url=https://www.clatterbridgecc.nhs.uk/news/leading-restaurant-cooks-massive-donation-clatterbridge-cancer-charity|publisher=The Clatterbridge Cancer Charity |date=21 August 2017|accessdate=20 March 2018}}
- {{cite news|title=Celebrating our Partnership with Mowgli Street Food|newspaper=Maggie's Centres |url=https://www.maggiescentres.org/about-maggies/news-and-publications/latest-news/celebrating-our-partnership-mowgli-street-food/|publisher=Maggies |date=26 July 2017|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180320230803/https://www.maggiescentres.org/about-maggies/news-and-publications/latest-news/celebrating-our-partnership-mowgli-street-food/ |archivedate=20 March 2018|accessdate=7 March 2023}}
- {{Cite web|title=THE MOWGLI TRUST - Charity 1173842|url=https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/?p_p_id=uk_gov_ccew_onereg_charitydetails_web_portlet_CharityDetailsPortlet&p_p_lifecycle=0&p_p_state=maximized&p_p_mode=view&_uk_gov_ccew_onereg_charitydetails_web_portlet_CharityDetailsPortlet_regId=1173842&_uk_gov_ccew_onereg_charitydetails_web_portlet_CharityDetailsPortlet_subId=0 |access-date=4 May 2021|publisher=The Charity Commission}}

Katona is the author of six cookbooks: Pimp My Rice, The Spice Tree, The Mowgli Street Food: Authentic Indian Street Food, The 30-Minute Mowgli, Meat Free Mowgli and Bold. She regularly appears on television and radio, including the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, Food Network and Radio 4's programme The Kitchen Cabinet.

On 1 January 2022, Katona was appointed chancellor of Liverpool John Moores University. She is the first alumna of the university to become chancellor and replaces Sir Brian Leveson who became emeritus chancellor.{{cite web | url = https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/about-us/structure/our-next-chancellor | title = Our next Chancellor |publisher=Liverpool John Moores University| accessdate= 20 July 2021}}

In July 2021, Katona was selected to join the newly formed Hospitality Council, a team of leading industry experts assembled to deliver the government’s Hospitality Strategy.{{Cite web|title=New Hospitality Council to guide the sector's recovery|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-hospitality-council-to-guide-the-sectors-recovery|access-date=18 October 2021|publisher=HM Government}} The strategy aims to help hospitality firms to re-open, recover and become more resilient following the COVID pandemic.

In 2019, Katona received an MBE (New Year Honours 2019) for services to the food industry.{{cite news | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-46703855 | title = New Year Honours 2019: Mowgli founder Nisha Katona honoured| work = BBC News| date = 28 December 2018| accessdate= 3 January 2019}}

Television

Katona films regularly for the BBC, Channel 4, ITV and The Food Network. Appearances have been on Lorraine, Sunday Brunch,{{cite web | url = https://greatbritishspeakers.co.uk/item/1862-nisha-katona | title = Nisha Katona| accessdate= 26 February 2018}}{{dead link|date=March 2023}} Secret Chef, My Kitchen Rules, My Spice Kitchen and her own Indian food travelogue for the BBC, Recipes that made me.

She regularly appears as a guest chef on This Morning,{{cite tweet |last=Katona |first=Nisha |user=NishaKatona |number=1372572403772096518 |date=18 March 2021 |title=On @thismorning morning @itv next Wednesday the 24th I am doing a hauntingly magical Butternut and Spinach curry. I cannot tell you how ridiculously excited I am to introduce you to 2 new spices-so to cook along please go out and buy fenugreek seeds and asafoetida, turmeric Chili https://t.co/hn2RUfES1m |access-date=30 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507120430/https://twitter.com/nishakatona/status/1372572403772096518 |archive-date=7 May 2021 |url-status=live}} guest panelist on The Kitchen Cabinet on BBC Radio 4, and on both BBC News and Sky News as a guest expert on matters relating to business and hospitality.

On 14 February 2021, a 10-part culinary travel series presented by Katona called A Taste of Italy was premiered on Channel 4 and More 4.{{cite web|url=https://www.channel4.com/press/news/channel-4-serves-taste-italy|title=Channel 4 serves up A Taste of Italy|website=Channel 4 |date=3 February 2021 |accessdate=7 March 2023}}

On 16 March 2021, she was a guest judge in the semi-final of Interior Design Masters, in which the designers made over a pair of restaurants in Hebden Bridge.{{cite tweet |last=Katona |first=Nisha |author-link=Nisha Katona |user=NishaKatona |number=1371757559208673282 |date=16 March 2021 |title=I'm joining @chattyman and @mogundehin on Interior Design Masters tonight at 8pm on BBC2 - I design every single brick and seat of every Mowgli. The experience of diners from walking past to deciding whether to return is my absolute passion tune in and see what you reckon 😁 https://t.co/gfLDmJjgh2 |access-date=30 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210316093801/https://twitter.com/NishaKatona/status/1371757559208673282 |archive-date=16 March 2021 |url-status=live}}

On 13 July 2021, Katona was one of the professional chefs on ITV's Cooking with the Stars. In the six-part series, she trained her celebrity partner, Harry Judd, in preparing dishes which were then judged. In the final episode, Judd was named the winner.{{Cite web|title=Cooking with the Stars celebrity line-up: Meet the ITV show's famous contestants and chefs|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/entertainment/cooking-with-the-stars-celebrity-line-up/ |author= Lauren Morris |date=13 July 2021|access-date=7 March 2023 |website=Radio Times}}

On 10 August 2021, Katona appeared as a guest chef on BBC 1's Masterchef, challenging four celebrities to cook an Indian recipe from her menu.{{Cite web|title=BBC One - Celebrity MasterChef, Series 16, Episode 2|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000ypwv|access-date=23 September 2021|publisher=BBC}}

From 2021 - 2024, Katona was one of the members of the new judging panel of Great British Menu, joining the former champion Tom Kerridge and the comedian and food podcaster Ed Gamble.{{cite press release|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/2021/great-british-menu-new-judges|title=Tom Kerridge, Nisha Katona and Ed Gamble announced as new judging panel on BBC Two's Great British Menu |publisher=BBC Media Centre |date=6 September 2021 |accessdate=6 September 2021}}

In September 2024, Nisha Katona’s Home Kitchen was commissioned by ITV. The upcoming ten-part cookery series will be presented by Katona.{{cite web|url=https://www.itv.com/presscentre/media-releases/itv-announces-three-new-weekend-commissions|title=ITV Announces Three New Weekend Commissions|website=itv.com/presscentre|accessdate=7 October 2024}}

Books

Mowgli Street Food: Stories and recipes from the Mowgli Street Food restaurants
The Spice Tree: Indian Cooking Made Beautifully Simple
Pimp My Rice: Delicious recipes from across the globe
The 30-Minute Mowgli: Fast Easy Indian from the Mowgli Home
Meat Free Mowgli: Simple & Delicious Plant Based Indian Meals
BOLD: Big Flavour Twists to Classic Dishes

Awards and honours

Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2024 – Listed as a best Best Big Company to work for
Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2023 – TOP 10 Best Big Companies
Best Companies’ 2023 – TOP 25 Best Large Companies
Casual Dining Awards 2023 – Restaurant Brand of the Year (1-19 sites)
British HR Awards 2023 – Hospitality and Leisure Company of the Year
North West Finance Awards 2023 – Finance Team of the Year (5 or less)
MIB – Restaurant of the Year and Business of the Year 2023
British Curry Awards 2022 - Best Restaurant North West
Best Companies Awards 2022 - The UK’s Top 100 Best Large Companies to work for - Rank #16.
Best Companies Awards 2021 - The UK’s Top 100 Best Large Companies to work for - Rank #28.{{Cite web|title=Mowgli Street Food|url=https://www.b.co.uk//companies/mowgli-street-food|access-date=24 June 2021|publisher=Best Companies Limited}}
Casual Dining Awards 2020 - The Trailblazer of the Year Award.{{Cite press release|last=Jones|first=Emma-Louise|date=20 February 2020|title=UK's best pubs & restaurants revealed at the Casual Dining Awards 2020|url=https://www.casualdiningshow.co.uk/press-releases/uks-best-pubs-restaurants-revealed-at-the-casual-dining-awards-2020/|access-date=4 May 2021|website=Casual Dining Show }}
Honorary Doctor of Business Administration - Edge Hill University (2019).{{Cite web|date=3 December 2019|title=Restaurant owner and top judge to be awarded honorary doctorates|url=https://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2019/12/restaurant-owner-and-top-judge-to-be-awarded-honorary-doctorates/|access-date=4 May 2021|publisher=Edge Hill University|archive-date=4 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210504135710/https://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2019/12/restaurant-owner-and-top-judge-to-be-awarded-honorary-doctorates/|url-status=dead}}
Honorary Fellow - Liverpool John Moores University (2019).{{Cite web|title=Nisha Katona MBE|url=http://www.ljmu.ac.uk/about-us/about-liverpool-john-moores-university/fellows/honorary-fellows-2019/nisha-katona|access-date=4 May 2021|publisher=Liverpool John Moores University}}
MBE - (New Year Honours 2019) Honoured for services to the food industry.{{cite news | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-46703855 | title = New Year Honours 2019: Mowgli founder Nisha Katona honoured| work = BBC News| date = 28 December 2018| accessdate= 3 January 2019}}
The LDC Top 50 Most Ambitious Business Leaders, 2019.{{Cite web|title=The LDC Top 50 2019|url=https://ldc.co.uk/top-50/2019-2/|access-date=4 May 2021|publisher=LDC (Managers) Ltd}}
The Sunday Times Fast Track 100 2019 - Best Emerging Brand Award.{{Cite web|last=TWK|date=17 September 2020|title=Fast Track|url=https://www.fasttrack.co.uk/fast-track-100-companies-honoured-2/|access-date=4 May 2021|website=Fast Track|archive-date=4 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210504135712/https://www.fasttrack.co.uk/fast-track-100-companies-honoured-2/|url-status=dead}}
The Sunday Times Fast Track 100 2019 - Best Management Team Award.{{Cite web|last=TWK|date=17 May 2019|title=Fast Track|url=https://www.fasttrack.co.uk/fast-track-100-companies-honoured/|access-date=4 May 2021|website=Fast Track|archive-date=4 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210504135710/https://www.fasttrack.co.uk/fast-track-100-companies-honoured/|url-status=dead}}
The Sunday Times Fast Track 100 2019 - Rank #45.{{Cite web|last=TWK|title=Fast Track|url=https://www.fasttrack.co.uk/company_profile/mowgli-street-food-2/|access-date=4 May 2021|website=Fast Track|archive-date=4 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210504135710/https://www.fasttrack.co.uk/company_profile/mowgli-street-food-2/|url-status=dead}}
The Sunday Times Fast Track 100 2018 - Rank #17.{{cite web | url = http://www.fasttrack.co.uk/league-tables/fast-track-100/league-table/ | title = Fast Track 100 league table - 2018 | accessdate = 3 December 2018 | archive-date = 5 November 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181105050508/http://www.fasttrack.co.uk/league-tables/fast-track-100/league-table/ | url-status = dead }}
Retailers’ Retailer Winner 2018 - Emerging Concept.{{cite web | url = https://www.rroty.co.uk/winners-2018/ | title = Winners 2018 |publisher=William Reed Business Media Ltd |website=Retailers' Retailer Awards |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180322090648/https://www.rroty.co.uk/winners-2018/ |archivedate= 22 March 2018 |accessdate=7 March 2023}}
Wireless Social's Woman Entrepreneur of the Year, 2018.{{cite web|url=https://www.wireless-social.com/wifi-news/womens-entrepreneur-award/ |title=Wireless Social's Woman Entrepreneur of the Year | date=7 September 2018 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180929000154/https://www.wireless-social.com/wifi-news/womens-entrepreneur-award/ |archivedate=29 September 2018 |accessdate=7 March 2023 | last=Ross|first= Julian |publisher=Wireless Social}}
Business of the Year, City of Liverpool Business Awards - 2018
Best Medium Sized Business, North West Business Masters Awards - 2018
Maserati Top 100, People's choice{{cite web|url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/maserati-top-100-peoples-choice-tp7gj2vm3 |title=Maserati Top 100: People's choice | work=The Sunday Times | date=29 April 2018 | access-date=28 September 2018 | last=Lynch|first= Andrew |url-access=subscription}}