Owner, Entrepreneur Enam Ali MBE, AHCIMA FIH, FRSA

Born in Sylhet in 1960 and encouraged into food by his mother, aunt and grandmother. Career : Trained in Bangladesh and travelled in India, Germany, America, and Canada He came to England for higher studies after finishing Hospitality and Management degree. In 1980 he earned the fellowship of the Institute of Hospitality. Opened Le Raj in Epsom in 1989 and became a fellow of The Royal Society of Arts in 1990 It soon caught the discerning attention of the Confrérie de la Chaîne des Rôtisseurs - an international gastronomic association dedicated to bringing together fellows worldwide who appreciate and share a mutual interest in cuisine, wine and fine dining. They made Mr Enam a fellow, the lone Asian restaurateur to have achieved the honour.. Enam Ali is one of the most prominent Asian personalities in the United Kingdom. Known for his leadership and passionate concern for the interests of the restaurant industry and of British Bangladeshis, he is frequently to be seen and heard in the UK's print and TV media acting as a spokesman for his business sector and as an unofficial ambassador for the country of his birth. For 18 years, the special cuisine and friendly atmosphere at his award-winning restaurant, Le Raj, situated in Epsom, Surrey, on the outskirts of London, has attracted politicians, show-business celebrities and media personalities and has gained him their friendship, recognition and support. Mr Enam Ali achieved the rare distinction of serving in the UK Home Office Hospitality advisory panel. Membership of the Portcullis Club also gives him social contact with many of the Members of Parliament who initiate and shape the laws of the land. Early in his career Enam Ali recognised that the vast majority of the UK's 'Indian' restaurants are actually owned and run by people of Banglaeshi origin. Enam recognised the need to build a stronger international identity for his home country to ensure that Bangladeshis were correctly credited for their innovative approach and resourcefulness. In 1992 Enam became 'International Indian Chef of the Year' 1992/3 and launched 'Raj Avion' and the Dine Bangladeshi initiative, encouraging Bangladeshi restaurant owners across Britain to take pride in their heritage by displaying the country's flag with the distinctive 'Dine Bangladeshi' logo. The operation was successful in raising awareness and beginning to change the UK public's perception of Bangladesh. Enam recalls: "Within a few months, the campaign gained huge media coverage. Some restaurant owners even changed the 'Indian' name of their restaurant to Bangladeshi and started to include traditional Bengali dishes on the menu. Most importantly the UK's public began to replace the false impression of Bangladesh and its people as a burden when they saw the significant contribution we are making to the their lifestyle and economy." While seeking backing from fellow restaurateurs, Enam recognised the need for a formal support network for Bangladeshis in the UK so that Bangladeshi-owned restaurants were well represented and warranted a voice at decision-making level. As a result, in November 1995, the co-ordinators of the Dine Bangladeshi campaign officially launched the Guild of Bangladeshi Restaurateurs at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London, enabling the media to publicise an industry concerned to maintain the very highest standards while promoting Bangladeshi cuisine to the British public. In 1998 he launched 'Spice Business', a top quality quarterly trade magazine featuring articles in English and Bengali, combining up-to-the-minute information on the restaurant sector and community news. Today it boasts a quarterly readership of over 100,000 and, as Enam points out, "Spice Business magazine has succeeded in opening new channels of communication for the Asian restaurant community to give our needs the authority they deserve." In 2005, his ability to create success was applied to the launch of the British Curry Awards with the intention of generating positive publicity for the best in local curry restaurants throughout the UK. The fifth British Curry Awards were held at the Battersea Park Evolution on 3rd November 2009. Hosted by Sir Trevor MacDonald the Awards ceremony had the rare privilege of having as its chief guest the leader of the Conservatives Rt Hon David Cameron MP, the first ever leader of a mainstream political party. The 7th event was held at the same venue. Enam frequently holds charity dinners in his restaurant. He has also received patronage of reputable charity organizations in all the British Curry Awards. So far he has raised more than £800,000 for various charities. Appointed Freeman of London 2011. Awarded MBE by the Queen for Services to Banglashi & Indian Restaurant Industry in 2009 New Year's Honours List   Fellow of Restaurant Hall of Fame (FRHF)