Neelofar Khan, entrepreneur and owner of south London’s Chilli Chutney restaurant tells Tandoori that a restaurateur must give something back to the community

Even before restaurateur and business woman Neelofar Khan launched her restaurant Chilli Chutney in 2003, in Streatham, south London, she felt that it was imperative to be involved with the local community.

So even prior to the day of the restaurant doors opening, Khan had already been championing the cause of other local businesses and charities. It is something she feels that every restaurant owner who has had even a modicum of success should be doing. Her ethos is that if you are a shining example of the local area then you should bear your share of having a social responsibility and give something back.

“I feel that it’s very important to pass on the wealth of knowledge and experience you have gained to other businesses,” she states. “If everyone else has been supportive of your business then the onus is on you to reciprocate. I can’t think of anything better than raising money for local charities and to raise the profile of small businesses who are the heart and soul of this country.”

Having a burden of responsibility may well have always been there, but for Khan it was either some kind of a school or nursery, or a food-related business which she wanted start off. She had always enjoyed entertaining and socialising so the restaurant idea seemed to be a natural progression. Khan put in her research and wanting to offer authentic Punjabi-style cooking, she went to all the well-known culinary places and restaurants in Lahore to see what they were doing.

The success of the original restaurant which followed has meant that Khan has been able to launch a Chilli Chutney Express concession site in Allders of Croydon department store and subsequently, a Chilli Chutney Express site in Waterloo, opposite the London Eye. As we speak, Khan is in the midst of launch preparations for Chai Corner – also at Allders of Croydon – which will be a café-style outlet serving light Halal meals and snacks.

While a foray into the retail market didn’t quite work out, Chilli Chutney’s restaurant success has been mirrored by its outside catering ventures along with catering for the public sector, not to mention by being bestowed with various awards.

Almost inevitably, the subject of a woman working in what is effectively a man’s world comes up. Khan though is very matter of fact in dealing with it.

“I’m not going to deny that at times it has been very tough going, particularly in the kitchen environment, where there have been chefs who just haven’t taken me seriously,” she admits. “I’ve really had to assert my authority, but the policy I’ve gradually come to adopt is just to be very straight with them. As to the outside world and how my customers and other people have reacted, the feedback could not have been better.”

As to the issue of dividing family life with what Khan freely says is 50% a working lifestyle, she notes that without a very “supportive” husband it would have been difficult.

“I have two grown-up kids who are both at university and the youngest one who is 12-years-old. My husband and I ensure that he is well-looked after and I make a point of attending all his school events. But all my children know that I work very hard as well.”

Asked if is it was all worth it, Khan says without reservation, “absolutely”.

“When I look back from when I started and the aspirations I had then to what I have achieved now, I am totally overjoyed. At the same time, one can’t deny that it has been hard work and it still is. I’ve faced the recession like so many other businesses and survived it. You have to be strong and at the same time think out of the box!”