Page 67 - IBT August 2021 Issue

business sector and as an unofficial ambassador for the
A larger than life figure and
businessworthy person
Enam Ali MBE -FIH, FRSA is among the
most prominent British Asian
personalities in the UK, known for his
leadership and passionate interest in
the hospitality industry. The man
revolutionized Spice restaurants by
bringing them to the high street in the
UK. He laughingly says, “I was working
two days in a week including Saturdays
in a restaurant for pocket money in my
student life. I never thought for a
moment that one day I would become a
restaurant owner. I had a firm plan in
my mind that I should return home
after completing my studies. But in the
end it was not possible. Somehow, a
friendship developed with the people
here in Britain. I thought that
investment in this business might not
be a bad idea after all.’’ Enam Ali now
epitomizes his goal of serving the
people and community.
Irrespective of geographical boundary,
every success story bears a different
note and the success story Enam Ali is
no exception. It is not a stretch to say
that Enam Ali is one of the torchbearers
for the British curry industry. As a
result, he is frequently seen and heard
in the UK and worldwide print and
broadcast media representing the Asian
the British Empire (MBE) in the New curry industry. It is one of the driving
country. Year Honours list for his services to the forces of the British economy and the
Enam Ali has made his mark as a renowned British Indian and Bangladeshi restaurant British Curry Awards continue
businessman in the U.K., as the founder and group director of industry. celebrating Bangladeshi heritage,
several businesses that include flagship restaurant Le Raj, The Enam founded Spice Business Magazine food culture, and is working to
British Curry Awards, ION TV, Spice Business Magazine, ION in 1998, a quarterly trade publication expand the curry business globally. I
computers, Le Raj Academy and British Curry Day. He is also with articles in English and Bengali want to continue to inspire a new
the director of Sylhet Women’s Medical College and Hospital. about the restaurant industry as well as generation and promote the Curry
Enam Ali was named NRB (Non-Resident Bangladeshi) Person community news. In 2011, he was Awards to such an extent that no one
of the year 2015 by Millennium Global Magazine. He was the awarded Best Business Personality by could've dreamt before.” He
keynote speaker representing the UK at the Franchise India his local area at their Business continues, “Curry Award is not an
event in New Delhi promoting Skill India launched by Prime Excellence Awards in Surrey in event; rather it is a story. We tried our
Minister Narendra Modi encouraging the UK to enter into a recognition of the contribution he has heart and soul to present the story
partnership under the program. made to the local community by hosting through the event. Every year we
various charitable events, raising over fixed a theme like one year we
Pioneering the Bengali food Campaign £1.02 million since 1989. worked on Cleopatra, another year we
“Dine Bangladesh” worked on New York and Broadway.
Among the many feathers in Enam Ali’s cap, one of them is Building Image of Bangladesh: We depict Bangladesh in essence. The
the success story of the “Dine Bangladesh” campaign in 1994, The Global Challenge 2017 curry award is a bridge to expose our
which played a catalytic role in changing the perception of In June 2016 Enam was elected success stories through different
British diners. 85 percent of Indian restaurants are owned and president of the British-Bangladesh initiative and held, “The Global Challenge 2017” event. media and a tool to inspire the new having a difficult time hiring cooks from other countries.
operated by British Bangladeshis, and they are ensuring the Chamber of Commerce, to continue Detailing it Enam Ali says, “During that time there were many generation in business and Employing cooks under the Tier 2 Sponsor License and visa
success of the British curry industry, which is worth 5 billion promoting trade and investment heritages.” scheme was costly and complicated. For the last five years,
GBP. The campaign also brought about the change in opportunities and cooperation between global challenges Bangladesh was facing and it was also a Enam has been an outspoken supporter of the “Vindaloo Visa”
restaurant names from predominantly familiar sounding Britain and Bangladesh. During his part of a wide spreading misconception of Muslims countries. Standing by his people campaign. He himself coined the word that caused a
Indian names to authentic Bengali names, e.g. from Rajasthan term he led the NRB Global Business My main objective during the global challenge was to uphold In June 2018 Enam Ali was awarded revolution.
Indian Restaurant to Rajshahi Restaurant, to name one. Enam Convention in Bangladesh with 39 the true image of Bangladesh. The British Prime Minister by the Institute of Hospitality for his Enam elucidates, “I am a migrant and a British citizen. I came
has also developed close ties in the political arena and nation participation to celebrate NRB David Cameron dispelled the real situation, and I created the outstanding contribution to the as a migrant and then became a citizen. I know the pain of a
highlighted the Indian restaurant industry’s £4.4 billion success and contribution to the environment for the politicians and civil society members to hospitality industry. Enam Ali says, migrant really well. I tried to apply my own experience in
contribution to the U.K. economy. Bangladesh economy. learn from the experiences. In the seminar we projected the “I have been working with government policies. During Tony Blair’s labor government I
He has been a judge and a food critic on various TV programs After the terrorist attack, the image of development achievements of Bangladesh in terms of Gross communities in different capacities was an advisor in that panel for five years and raised these
such as F Word with Gordon Ramsay, Heston Blumenthal Muslim countries was tarnished. Domestics Products (GDP) and other indicators and these for the past 30 years like by raising issues.”
Great British Food, Great British Menu and BBC Royal Recipes, Bangladesh too was not spared. During positive sides was highlighted by the British Prime Minister money for cancer patients, flood He further adds, “During David Cameron’s time I made the
Master Chef, Great British Takeaways, and various news his tenure as the president of British and media.’’ affected people of Bangladesh argument that you are one of the best countries in the world
segments. His sound knowledge of Indian food is second to Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and The British Curry Awards or “Curry Oscar” including victims of the Rana Plaza for promoting equality. Coming to the UK from Bangladesh
none; he is regarded as a culinary architect. Industry he made an unprecedented As part of community promotion, he established The British disaster.” has many obstacles - the argument held water and was raised
In 2012 for the first time in Olympic history, Le Raj was the Curry Awards in 2005 to recognize excellence in the UK curry Challenges arose due to U.K.’s in the parliament. The House of Lords and I relentlessly
only restaurant selected to serve Indian food to thousands of industry and to raise awareness of top British curry stringent immigration laws causing pushed it forward. Even the opposition party helped me.
Olympic officials, presidents, the Royal family and diplomats. restaurants. The Former British Prime Minister David Cameron closures of curry houses. Enam Ali People have been able to come from Bangladesh and avail
They also served iftar in the London Olympic Games during termed the show as “The Curry Oscars”. At one of the awards has been a driving force for lifting opportunities. Students and chefs are coming and working
Ramadan. It epitomized Bangladeshi Biryani on a global he said: “Oscar of the curry industry. Can I say Enam, you immigration limits on qualified here. Earlier it was quite stringent and even Industrialists and
platform. Old Dhaka Biryani legend Fakruddin also visited Le have been absolutely inspirational in the way you back your employees helping not only TV channel owners were refused a Visa.”
Raj and sales were through the roof. industry. I want to congratulate the founder, Enam Ali, who restaurants but all takeout in 2019.
couldn't be a better champion in this industry.” He spoke widely and frequently about A guiding light for community work
Tale of a first generation immigrant Hoteliers that came before Enam Ali went unnoticed despite the subject in the media. Those in Enam Ali left Bangladesh barely out of his teens. With four
Among the fleet of post war immigrants from Bangladesh, significantly contributing to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) authority, as well as the opposition decades of dedicated hard work he has earned his keep and
Enam Ali moved to the U.K. in 1974. He was originally set to of the UK because they refused to engage with the society they party, took note of Enam's concerns. epitomized his larger than life image. Enam Ali has devoted
pursue a degree in law. However life had other plans in store lived in. The second generation however, has excelled, and he He expressed that he is really grateful his life to the causes of community, which resultantly
for him. While studying he worked part-time for the TM promotes curry culture to remind them of their heritage. Every to be able to give back to the people. developed a sector and elevated the image of Bangladesh.
restaurant group. This is where he developed a strong liking year, their participation, along with the cultural past, has been It is safe to say that he has made the “I wish to be a common person and be remembered through
towards the hospitality industry. He went on to attain a degree highlighted at the event for the past 16 years. lives of many people in the my work and promoting people’s cause. I do not want to wear
in Hospitality and Management. Later on, in 1980, he earned Enam Ali says, “Although the curry business was started by community simpler. This issue was a crown on my head or a coronet with feathers. Rather to my
an international fellowship from the Institute of Hospitality, the inhabitants of the Sub continent, it has since spread discussed in both the Parliament and last breath, I wish to work for people and my work is the only
and in 1990, he earned a Fellowship of the Royal Society of around the world. All communities are now advancing in the the House of Lords at the time. acquaintance and reputation that I earned. I wish to be loved
Arts. In 2008 Enam was appointed a Member of the Order of Bangladeshi eateries in the UK were by the people for my deeds,” the Curry King concludes.
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