Owner Sheikh M. Abdul Khalique

Born in Bangladesh on 24 November 1951. Married with two sons and five daughters. Career : Sheikh Abdul Khalique, 47, the eldest of six brothers who own the restaurant and a sister, has been a main man behind the building of a mosque and a school for 400 children in Sylhet in Bangladesh. Father, Haji Sheikh A. Rassak brought his family to UK in the early sixties. He passed away in 1985. After ill health forced him to abandon his promising education Khalique followed his father to England when he was 16. He worked as a waiter at an uncle's restaurant and so learned his trade, as did his brothers who gradually joined him. In 1979 they set up the Polash in the premises of a former launderette in Shoeburyness. It quickly established an excellent reputation, with people travelling some distance to taste the tandoori, bhuna and vegetable specialities. When he is not working Khalique spends time at home in Shoebury with his wife Syeda and their seven children, aged from 8 to 21 Sheikh Abdul Khalique's father dreamed of building a mosque in their home village in Bangladesh. Though he died before it could be realised, Khalique rallied the Bangladeshi community in this country to make it come true. Polash has been recognised in the top 100 in Britain by both the Real Curry Restaurant Guide, British Curry Awards and the Good Curry Guide. After 40 year in catering Mr Khalique is looking forward to celebrating his restaurants silver jubilee. Chairman - Essex Bangladesh Welfare Association and Chairman of Shaharpara Jubo Shongo. Most important kitchen items : Cooker/Tandoor Trends : Notes that customers are becoming more experimental and trying spices they have not tried before. Fellow of Restaurant Hall of Fame (FRHF)