Ali Ahmed Aslam

Ali Ahmed Aslam (; 1 April 1945 – 19 December 2022) was a Pakistani–Scottish chef credited with inventing the dish chicken tikka masala.

Early and personal life

Aslam was born on 1 April 1945 in a small village near Lahore, Punjab, British India (now Punjab, Pakistan ). His father, Noor Mohammed, opened what is considered the first true Indian restaurant in Glasgow, the Green Gates on Bank Street, in 1959.

Aslam was married and had five children. The establishment was considered his life's work, according to friends, locals and family. He claimed he devised the recipe for "Britain's favourite curry" after a customer complained that his meal was too dry.

The dish is widely considered an adaptation of the South Asian cuisine to suit Western European palates. His funeral was held at Glasgow Central Mosque the next day, with members of the public invited to attend.