Shabir Hussain, the renowned chef known as the “king of curry” and credited with inventing the “hanging naan,” has passed away at the age of 56. Hussain established a chain of Indian restaurants in the UK and owned numerous food venues across northern England, the Midlands, and Scotland.
His restaurant, Akbar’s, announced his death on social media on Wednesday, stating that its establishments would be closed until 5 PM on Friday in his honor. The post expressed deep sadness and asked for prayers for Hussain, wishing him the highest rank in Jannah and peace for his family during this difficult time.
Hussain opened his first 28-seat restaurant in Bradford in 1995, later expanding to cities such as Leeds, Sheffield, Manchester, Newcastle, Glasgow, and Birmingham. Earlier this year, he launched his latest venue in Blackburn.
Described as a “pioneer in the Indian food world,” Hussain claimed to have invented the “naan tree,” a vertical stand designed to hold large naans or Asian flatbreads. Speaking on the CEO Club podcast, he mentioned, “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.” He explained that the design originally served as a “space-saver” but turned into a popular attraction at his restaurants.
Fatima Patel, editor of the Asian Standard, characterized Hussain as a “generous and soft human being.” In an interview with the BBC, she noted how he transformed the curry industry with innovative presentation techniques that appealed to both the Asian and non-Asian communities. She recalled the “wow factor” of his giant naan presentations that were soon emulated by other restaurants, praising his remarkable vision and entrepreneurial spirit.
Labour MP Naz Shah expressed her sorrow over his passing, calling it a “huge loss” to both his family and the business world, highlighting his contribution to Bradford’s curry scene and beyond.
