aktar islam - chef director
At the helm of the Lasan kitchen is chef director, Aktar Islam, who develops exciting, innovative and (yes, you’ve guessed it) award winning recipes - from gorgeous and intricate creations, to the rich-tasting but healthy meals that are low-fat, low-salt, but high on flavour and the all-important Lasan “feast factor”.
His major contribution to the development of the Lasan team has been reflected in a sackful of awards for members of his team and himself. He was awarded the title as the Rising star at Channel 4’s Taste Awards.
Aktar’s commitment and success have also been shown by his selection by Marketing Birmingham to represent the city in their Birmingham Bites campaign.
He is regularly invited to judge a prestigious South Asian Chef Competition and also to display his passion and flair, rubbing shoulders with national celebrity chefs at the BBC Good Food Shows, Autumn Fair, Food & Drink Expo, Taste Festivals, Grand Design LIVE, Heart of England Fine Foods Show and many others.
And Aktar’s not all pan and no personality! His great reputation and his personal flair have already turned him into a star of the small screen, with various cookery programmes on TV and radio, including Talkback Thames TV production ‘Mrs Osbourne Presents’ hosted by Sharon Osbourne, Market Kitchen and recently Aktar also starred in Gordon Ramsay’s The F Word programme on Channel 4, when Lasan won in January 2010 the prestigious award as the Best Local Restaurant in the UK.
In 2007, he launched his cookbook and DVD, Spice of Life, in collaboration with Warwick University Medical School, and devised a feast of healthy south Asian recipes for everyone to enjoy at home.
So it’s hardly surprising that he has made a major contribution towards Lasan’s listing as one of the Top 10 Indian restaurants in the UK, winning the British Curry Award for the third year running, and towards its inclusion in the Michelin Guide.
Recently he was invited to a reception at Buckingham Palace by The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh for his contribution to the British hospitality industry.
appearance booking
Aktar is available for cookery demonstrations, public appearances, product endorsements and licensing arrangements.
If you are an event organiser, product owner or marketing company wishing to explore possible opportunities here, please register your interest below.
Our agent will then contact you to discuss Aktar’s availability and fee details.