Shabir Hussain

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

Shabir Hussain
Born	1967 or 1968
Died	October 2024
Occupation(s)	Chef, restaurateur
Known for	Naan tree

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]