Since opening Old Hall Restaurant, Lal Haider has become renowned for his cooking, taking inspiration from western palates to create a unique spin on Persian cuisine.
Like the dishes on its menu, the decor of Old Hall is a definitive nod to Lal’s Persian roots where Middle Eastern artworks line the walls of the half-timbered country house the restaurant calls home.
Lal has won both regional and national awards for his cooking, picking up titles including Persian Restaurant of the Year (Midlands) in 2019, as well as Chef of the Year (England), and Chef of the Year (Midlands) at the 2016 English Curry Awards.
What is perhaps most admirable, though, is his ability to navigate two complex careers. Doctor by day, Lal dons his chef’s whites on evenings and weekends to share his love for the dishes from his culture.
It was while studying for his medical degree that Lal, with a little help from his mother, learned how to cook and realised his true passion.
Lal continues to receive rave reviews for his cooking, appearing in the MasterChef Live Challenge at BBC Good Food Show.
oldhallpersian.com/
