Shabir Hussain

Shabir Hussain
Born1967 or 1968
DiedOctober 2024
Occupation(s)Chef, restaurateur
Known forNaan tree

Shabir Hussain (1968 – October 2024) was a British restaurateur and celebrity chef known as the “king of curry”.[1]

Hussain founded Akbar's Restaurant Group in 1995, a UK chain Pakistani restaurants, and owned "dozens of food venues".[1] He invented the "naan tree", or "hanging naan", a metal structure with a solid base with hooks on both sides to hang large naan breads and save space within the restaurant, the use of which expanded and became a "craze". Hussain stated his biggest regret was "I could have patented it".[2][3]

Hussain was named the United Kingdom "Curry King" at the 2011 English Curry Awards. The award ceremony, sponsored by online takeaway hungryhouse, was held in Manchester.[4] In 2015 he was named "Curry Champion" at the Asian Curry Awards.[5]

Hussain announced he had cancer in June 2024.[6] He died in October 2024, aged 56.[1]

  1. ^ a b c Gohil, Neha (16 October 2024). "'King of curry' chef Shabir Hussain dies aged 56". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 16 October 2024.
  2. ^ Robinson, Andrew (16 October 2024). "Shabir Hussain: Son of a textile worker, inventor of the 'naan tree' and the 'best waiter in Bradford'". Yorkshire Live.
  3. ^ "Restaurateur who invented 'naan tree' dies aged 56". BBC. 16 October 2024. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
  4. ^ "Shabir is named as king in the world of curry". Evening Gazette. 4 August 2011. ProQuest 881092869.
  5. ^ "Asian Curry Awards 2015 Winners Announced". M2 Presswire. 18 November 2015. ProQuest 1733899867.
  6. ^ "Tributes paid after Akbar's founder Shabir Hussain dies aged 56". ITV News. 17 October 2024.