Who is Sanjay Patel, the businessman honoured with MBE this year?
Apart from David Beckham receiving an OBE, Sanjay Patel, a prominent figure in the UK's hospitality industry, has been honored with the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) award by King Charles III.
What is the Honors List?
The Birthday Honors List recognizes celebrities and community heroes for their amazing achievements or service to the country, by awarding them with honours such as an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire), MBE (Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire), or CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire).
The awards are handed out twice a year in the UK - once at New Year, and then again in June on the monarch's official birthday.
This June, Sanjay Patel, a distinguished British entrepreneur, received the MBE from King Charles III in recognition of his significant contributions to the British culinary landscape, the UK's hospitality industry, and community development.
Here's all you need to know about Patel.
Who is Sanjay Patel?
Best known for founding Madhu's, a renowned chain of Indian restaurants, Sanjay Patel is known for his diversified business that ventured into serviced accommodation, property development, and social entrepreneurship.
Patel's journey from a young entrepreneur to a respected figure in the UK's hospitality industry is marked by his unwavering commitment to quality, innovation, and community service.
Early life and career
Born in Nairobi, Kenya, Sanjay Patel hails from a family with deep culinary roots. His grandfather, affectionately known as Madhu, was a renowned chef and hotelier who established the Brilliant Hotel in Nairobi during the 1930s. This legacy of hospitality and culinary excellence profoundly influenced Sanjay's career path.
At the age of 17, he opened Madhu's, a restaurant that would go on to become a cornerstone of luxury Indian cuisine in the UK.
Madhu's is renowned for its high-quality dishes and exceptional service. The restaurant's success is a testament to Patel's commitment to excellence and his ability to blend traditional Indian flavors with contemporary dining experiences.
Madhu's: A culinary legacy
Born into a family with a rich culinary heritage, Sanjay Patel was inspired by his grandfather's legacy in the food industry.
Established in 1980, Madhu's has become a cornerstone of luxury Indian cuisine in the UK. The restaurant is celebrated for its high-quality dishes and has catered at prestigious venues such as Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, and No. 10 Downing Street. Under Patel's leadership, Madhu's has set new standards in the hospitality sector, being the first to receive an external catering contract at The Savoy Hotel in London.
Moreover, the establishment has hosted pop-up events at renowned locations such as Harvey Nichols and Harrods, further solidifying its reputation in the luxury dining scene.
Contributions to the hospitality industry
Patel's influence extends beyond his restaurant. He has been instrumental in promoting Indian cuisine within the broader British culinary community, advocating for greater recognition and appreciation of diverse culinary traditions.
Community engagement and philanthropy
Beyond his professional achievements, Patel is deeply committed to community service. He has actively supported various charitable initiatives, focusing on promoting cultural understanding and supporting underrepresented communities. His involvement in community projects reflects his belief in the power of food to bring people together and foster social cohesion.
Diversification into property and serviced accommodation
Beyond the restaurant industry, Patel has demonstrated a keen entrepreneurial spirit by venturing into property development and serviced accommodation.
He has established serviced accommodation businesses in Bournemouth and Liverpool, capitalizing on the growing demand for quality lodging at affordable prices.
Net worth
While specific figures regarding Patel's net worth are not publicly disclosed, his diverse business ventures suggest a substantial financial standing. The success of Madhu's, coupled with his investments in property and serviced accommodation, indicates a significant accumulation of wealth.
However, without official financial statements or public disclosures, providing an exact net worth remains speculative.
Personal life
Although not much is known about his personal life, family has played a pivotal role in the evolution of Patel's professional endeavors and Madhu's journey. Sanjay's son, Arjun, represents the fourth generation of the family in the business and is actively involved in its operations. Arjun's passion and dedication have been instrumental in the company's continued success and expansion.
Image courtesy: ESPN
Uorfi, Jannat, Yashraj, Rahul Dua & More Shine Bright: Creators Who Ruled the Power Creator Awards 2025
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
18 minutes ago
- Time of India
Matcha in Demand: How South India is Embracing the Trend
Strawberry Matcha at Dou, Nungambakkam Nirmal Raj, founder of Buddies Café and Dandjo Teas in Ooty, has been selling matcha since 2015. But of late, says the tea merchant, the quantities he has had to procure have more than quadrupled. 'Till a couple of years ago, I used to buy only 500g a month. It's now 8kg a month and rising,' says Nirmal. He's not sure what's driving the surge, but he's planning to ride the wave with a matcha dessert menu soon. It's game, set, matcha everywhere. Namratha Marlecha, founder of Sante Spa Cuisine in Chennai, is also seeing an increase in demand for their matcha dishes. 'We've been around for more than seven years now, and hardly a handful of people used to try our smoothie matcha bowl or matcha pina colada, for the health benefits. Today, almost every table has someone ordering matcha dishes. The demand has pushed us to rework our menu and add more matcha drinks,' says Namratha. A finely ground powder made from specially grown and processed green tea leaves, matcha involves consuming the entire powdered young leaf, offering a more concentrated dose of nutrients and antioxidants, unlike regular green tea, where you steep the leaves. Once a niche Japanese import, matcha is now riding the social media wave into cafés, kitchens, and even personal tea collections across Chennai. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai | Gold Rates Today in Chennai | Silver Rates Today in Chennai Latshyamitra R says every time she opens her Instagram account, her feed is filled with matcha tea recipes. So much so that the UX designer got curious, bought 30g of ceremonial-grade matcha online, a premium quality powder traditionally used in the Japanese tea ceremony, for Rs 800. 'I made matcha drinks with caramel, strawberry and vanilla,' says Latsyamitra. 'I'm planning to bake next,' she says. Saravanan B V, a brand designer from Ooty, initially tried it for its high antioxidant properties and health benefits. But soon he fell in love with the taste and now collects matcha varieties. Not all matcha tastes the same, says Saravanan. Indian matcha has an astringent taste (a dry, puckering sensation in the mouth) that comes from the altitude difference and the way it is ground, compared to Japanese matcha. The Japanese matcha, says Alexander R K, chef at Dou, Nungambakkam, has a unique flavour profile; a delicate balance of earthiness, umami and subtle bitterness making it a versatile ingredient that blends well with sweet and savoury dishes. 'We are trying to use matcha as salt in barbecue meats and tempura,' says Alexander. 'They are still in a trial phase, but show promise among adventurous diners. We're also exploring matcha-infused sauces and glazes that can complement Asian-inspired small plates and grills,' he adds. Matcha Brownie Café owners and tea merchants say they procure their matcha from Japan or Assam (the only place in India where it is grown). Chota Tingrai in Assam's Tinsukia district is the only tea estate in the country that produces it. 'We've been making green tea at Chota Tingrai using Japanese technology since the 1980s, but matcha requires far greater precision and investment,' says tea manufacturer Mrigendra Jalan of Jalan Industries. The estate is experimenting with the Yabukita cultivar and its Assam equivalent, slowly moving toward Japanese standards with both ceremonial and culinary grades. 'The process is slow and costly, as one Japanese grinding machine costs Rs 40 lakh and produces just 10kg a day,' he says. South India has the potential to grow matcha, says Jalan, but the climate and altitude will influence its flavour profile. 'South Indian tea is not as strong as Assam tea, and less bitter. While Assam works on refining production, demand from Chennai, Bengaluru, and Ooty is already surging, pointing to a future where locally grown matcha could complement imports from Japan.' Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
The Hindu
18 minutes ago
- The Hindu
U.S. team may defer August 25 India visit for trade pact talks: Official
A U.S. team, which was scheduled to visit India from August 25, for the next round of negotiations for the bilateral trade agreement is likely to defer the meeting to a later date, an official said. So far, five rounds of talks have been completed for the bilateral trade agreement (BTA) and a U.S. team is scheduled to visit India for the sixth round of talks. The negotiations were scheduled from August 25-29. "This visit is likely to be rescheduled," the official, who did not wish to be named, said. Deferment or rescheduling of the meeting assumes significance as the U.S. has announced a staggering 50% duty on Indian goods. The U.S. is pressing for greater market access in politically sensitive areas such as agri and dairy sectors, which India cannot accept as it affects the livelihood of small and marginal farmers. India has stated that it will not compromise the interests of farmers and cattle rearers. The U.S. and India have announced plans to conclude the first phase of BTA by fall (September-October) of 2025. The two countries are aiming at more than doubling the bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030, from the present $191 billion. While the 25% tariff on Indian goods entering the U.S. has come into effect from August 7, an additional 25%, was announced on India as penalty for buying crude oil and military equipment from Russia, will come into effect from August 27. During April-July, the country's exports to the U.S. increased 21.64% to $33.53 billion, while imports rose 12.33% to $17.41 billion, according to Commerce Ministry data. The U.S. was the largest trading partner of India in the April-July period ($12.56 billion bilateral trade) 2025-26. India's exports to America are recording positive growth since April this year.
New Indian Express
25 minutes ago
- New Indian Express
US trade team reschedules visit to India for BTA talks
Amid rising tensions between India and the United States—and just a day after New Delhi's diplomatic engagement with Moscow—the US has called off its planned visit to India for the sixth round of Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) negotiations, a senior Commerce Ministry official confirmed on Saturday. The US delegation's trip, originally scheduled for August 25–29, has been postponed, effectively delaying discussions on the proposed trade pact between the two nations. 'The visit is likely to be rescheduled,' said the official, adding that no new dates have yet been confirmed for the talks. The cancellation comes against a complicated backdrop of mounting tariff pressures and growing geopolitical friction. Washington is considering a 50% reciprocal tariff on Indian exports, linked to New Delhi's continued purchase of Russian oil, adding urgency to the negotiations. Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal had earlier indicated that clarity on the sixth round of talks would likely emerge only closer to the scheduled date of August 25. However, as of August 16, no official communication had been received from the US side regarding a cancellation or rescheduling. The delegation, led by Assistant Trade Representative Brendan Lynch, was expected in New Delhi for the talks. For India, the sudden pause is a setback to its efforts to build momentum on the BTA, which negotiators had hoped would secure tariff concessions. With the delay, the prospect of any meaningful tariff relief now appears remote. Nonetheless, despite tariff headwinds, Indian exports to the US have continued to show positive growth since April.
