Tributes flood in for popular curry restaurant owner
People in the local community have paid their respects to Shabir Hussain (pictured above), founder Akbar’s restaurant who passed away at the age of 56.
The business was founded in Bradford in 1995, before later expanding to cities including Leeds, Sheffield, Manchester, Newcastle, Glasgow and Birmingham. Following the announcement of his death all of Akbar’s restaurants closed temporarily as a mark of respect.
In an interview earlier this year on the CEO Club Podcast, Mr Hussain claimed to have invented a vertical metal stand with hooks to hold large naan breads as a business move.
He said: “I’m the guy who invented the naan tree – my biggest regret is I could have patented it. It’s actually now used everywhere by everybody.”
Mr Hussain went on to say he approached a metal worker friend and told him he wanted to serve large naan breads he had seen in Birmingham.
Serving side orders of that size would mean he would have to make his tables bigger, therefore reducing the number of covers at the restaurant.
He told the podcast: “The idea was to build a heavy base so it doesn’t fall over, bring it upwards and in the beginning there were only hooks on one side. Now we put hooks on both sides so you can hang two naans on it.”
He concluded: “Really it was a space-saver, I didn’t know it would turn into a craze – people started coming to the restaurant just to see it.”
Mr Hussain’s funeral took place at 4.45pm on Thursday, October 17 at the Jamiyat Tabligh-ul-Islam Bradford Central Mosque where it is estimated that 5000 people came out to pay respect to man referred to “The King of Curry
Fatima Patel, editor of the Asian Standard and a friend of Mr Hussain for two decades, described him as a “larger than life character”.
She said: “Beneath the tough exterior he liked to show, I found him to be a very generous and soft human being. He revolutionised the curry industry when he went into it, he created lots of new ways to present curry, not just to the non-Asian community but to the Asian community as well.”
Discussing his inventive way of presenting naan bread in his restaurants, she said: “It was a wow factor when you sat down for your curry and this giant naan arrived, and then obviously lots of other restaurants copied that concept.
“It was a remarkable vision he had, not just as someone who was able to produce amazing food, but that marketing and entrepreneurial spirit he just had a knack for.”
Zulfiqar Karim, Deputy Lieutenant of West Yorkshire, said: “Known as the King of Curry, Bash was more than a successful restaurateur – he was the heart and soul of every gathering, a man whose warmth, generosity, and hospitality were unmatched.
His infectious smile and comforting hugs made everyone feel welcome, and his friendship was a treasure beyond words.”
He added: “Bradford has lost not only a pioneer of the curry world but also a beloved brother whose presence will be sorely missed.
Eid and every occasion will feel incomplete without him. Bash’s legacy will live on in the countless lives he touched, and his spirit will continue to inspire us to come together as he always did.
Rest in peace, dear brother. Your memory will never fade.”
Fellow Indian restaurants across the Bradford district have been paying tribute.
Faisal Hussain, owner of Shimla Spice, worked with the Akbar’s founder when Bradford was selected as the ‘Curry Capital of Britain’.
He said: “Our restaurants contributed to winning that. He was an amazing guy.
We worked well together. We were really good friends – sharing ideas and willing to help.
“It is a big hole in the hospitality industry to lose such a big name like him.”
Faisal Hussain added: “He was not just a good restaurateur but an amazing person who would go that extra mile to help you.
When we worked together it was for Bradford. Our restaurants are probably three miles apart and we never saw any other restaurant as competition.
He was one of the pioneers of the restaurant industry. His main vision was to put Bradford on the map.”
Bradford Council leader Susan Hinchcliffe said: “I’m really sorry to hear this. Shabir was a key part of Bradford’s Curry Capital bid for several years and was a great contributor making sure we won that competition nationally several years running.
He was always proud of his Bradford roots and will be missed. My condolences to his family.”
