| Shabir Hussain | |
| Death Date: | October 2024 |
| Occupation: | Chef, restaurateur |
| Known For: | Naan 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". 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.