Cateys 2024: Chef Award: Aktar Islam

Aktar Islam, a driving force behind Birmingham’s ever-growing food scene, has built a series of produce-led restaurants that deliver both for his customers and the community. 

 

In October 2019 he became the first British-born Bangladeshi chef to win a Michelin star for Opheem, and it was the first and only non-London Indian restaurant to win a star in The Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland. In 2024, Opheem became the first restaurant in Birmingham to be awarded two Michelin stars.

 

Islam has invested heavily into his hometown of Birmingham over the past 20 years. He has opened over 11 restaurants, each with different cuisines and cooking styles, and despite offers to open in London and around the world, giving back to Birmingham has always remained his passion. 

 

Opheem’s menu is based around Aktar’s interpretation of thousands of years of Indian culinary heritage, creating unrivalled flavours and dishes. A testament to this is that there is now a restaurant in India called Opheem, modelled on Islam’s UK concept. 

 

Coming from humble roots himself, Islam focuses on recruiting from areas with high unemployment, aiming to help some of the city’s disadvantaged people into work. He has encouraged young talent with an ‘anyone is welcome’ mentality, whether that be local or from further afield, and 30% of his kitchen team has come through his homegrown apprentice scheme after starting with no skill- set and new to the industry.

 

Islam and his team provide hundreds of meals weekly to several local charities. He is planning on leveraging his in-house charity initiatives and has put aside a £124,000 budget, with no external support from suppliers or couriers. He is also building on local partnerships with Let’s Feed Brum and the Birmingham Children’s Hospital. 

Accessibility has always been important to Islam and he works closely with University College Birmingham to advise and teach the younger generation, and wants to inspire those from a similar background and upbringing, driving the message that success isn’t just for those who have taken a traditional career path. 

 

In 2022, Islam used his nationwide delivery service, Aktar at Home, to launch a new initiative. Islam and his team asked people to nominate families and individuals who are struggling to feed themselves to receive one of 6,000 free fresh curry boxes. People could remain anonymous if they wished, and Aktar and the team sifted through every reply and tried to help those most in need first.

 

As a chef all other chefs admire, for his approachability, awareness and community spirit, as much for his skill, technique and hospitality, Islam rightly takes his place among the former winners of this prestigious award.

 

What the judges said

 

“An absolutely dedicated restaurateur who does so much for his region, as well as running a restaurant leading the way with Indian flavours.” Claude Bosi

 

“Outstanding achievement on a culinary level, and his sense of community and continuous support of charitable organisations shines through. A proud and humble chef who is a great ambassador for the UK food landscape.” Tom Kerridge

 

The shortlist

 

Mark Birchall Moor Hall

 

Jeremy Chan Ikoyi

 

Aktar Islam Opheem

 

Nieves Barragán Mohacho Sabor

 

Tom Sellers Restaurant Story and Dovetale

 

The judges

 

Amanda Afiya, Amanda Afiya Hospitality

 

Jason Atherton The Social Company

 

Claude Bosi Bibendum

 

Tom Kerridge Hand & Flowers