Aktar Islam left the Lasan Group in 2016 to work on his new, flagship project, Opheem, and launched his-closed Italian restaurant, Legna, in winter 2018.
19 Facts About Aktar Islam
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AI Restaurant Group now is steered by Aktar Islam's focus on product-led cooking whilst creating opportunities for young individuals from Birmingham.
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In 2009, Aktar Islam was crowned champion by Gordon Ramsay on Channel 4's The F Word.
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Aktar Islam returned to the Great British Menu Kitchen as a veteran Judge in 2022.
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Aktar Islam's parents are from Bangladesh and came to Britain in the late 1970s.
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Aktar Islam started working in the restaurant industry at the age of 13.
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Aktar Islam then went on to win the overall final, after beating The Pheasant from Keystone.
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In June 2011, Aktar Islam won the Central regional heat to reach the final of the BBC Two series Great British Menu.
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Aktar Islam went on to win the fish course in the final.
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Aktar Islam is a regular judge and mentor for MasterChef Professionals and a veteran judge on Great British Menu.
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Until 2017 Aktar Islam co-owned Indian restaurants Lasan, Lasan Eatery, Nosh and Quaff, and Argentinian restaurant Fiesta Del Asado.
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Aktar Islam has attended a reception at Buckingham Palace, invited by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip for his contribution to the British hospitality industry.
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Aktar Islam was selected by Marketing Birmingham to represent the city in their Birmingham Bites campaign.
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Aktar Islam left the Lasan Group in 2017 to work on his new, flagship project, Opheem which opened in May 2018.
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Aktar Islam launched Pulperia in Brindley Place Birmingham in March 2020 and was due to launch another restaurant in Edgbaston, Birmingham in 2021.
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In 2010, Aktar Islam won 'Best Local Restaurant' on Gordon Ramsay's The F Word.
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In 2011, Aktar Islam came first in the BBC TV Series, The Great British Menu.
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In May 2012, Aktar Islam was named Birmingham Young Professional of the Year.
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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.