TV chef ready for restaurant’s May launch
Birmingham-born Aktar Islam has come a long way since winning “Best Local Restaurant” on Gordon Ramsay’s The F Word in 2002.
The former chef director of Birmingham’s Lasan Group has just embarked on his first ever solo project: a restaurant in the heart of the city, which he says will celebrate the culinary heritage of India.
Opheem, due to open in Summer Row in May, is already booked for its first month, and Islam says the final preparations have been “hectic”. But he says he has a lot of support behind him, including “the who’s who” of chefs. And he’s not complaining – Islam has been involved in everything from the initial concept to the final delivery.
“It’s not just another restaurant, it’s literally my baby – my DNA is bound through every aspect of it, from the flooring to the walls and light fitting, everything,” he says, adding that he’s wanted to do this for the last 10 years.
Islam says he never had second thoughts about launching the restaurant in his hometown.
“I’m in love with Birmingham. I never get holiday blues, I look forward to coming home. I couldn’t think of doing this anywhere else,” he says.
The restaurant will aim to emulate the work of chefs attached to the royal courts, with the menu’s inspiration from India going as far back as the 13th century. Islam says he was inspired by cookbook he came across a few years ago, based on 14thand 15th century cooking from a document for the sultan of Delhi, showing the variety of ingredients used in Indian dishes.
“It shows how forward-thinking chefs were back then, they incorporated ingredients from different parts of the world into their cooking. When we think of potatoes we think of Indian food, but they were only introduced into India by the Portuguese and Europeans, and it’s the same with chilli and tomatoes,” he says.
He says Opheem’s mission is to continue in this spirit, using overtly Indian flavours, but taking inspiration from further afield.
“Opheem is very much my take on influences that make up me,” Islam says.
“I’m a Brummie born and bred, but my heritage is from the Indian subcontinent. These are the flavours I grew up with and we’re not going to compromise on that. They’ll be big and bold.”
Islam says Opheem will be filled with staff who are very passionate about food.
“I’ve always said to everyone whose worked with me that the “That’ll do” attitude isn’t enough for me. We can always be better. It’s all about evolution and going forwards, we’ve got to be able to adapt and evolve to deliver better products”.
And aside from the staff, Islam hopes the environment will fortify diners’ experiences. He says the restaurant will have an “incredibly high quality finish,” with texture on the walls.
“It won’t be somewhere you just go for a meal, but somewhere that will provide an experience,” Islam says.
But he also hopes that Opheem is more than just a restaurant.
“I hope it adds value to the city and to people’s visit, and that it promotes the amazing restaurant scene we have in Birmingham”.
