Latest news with #AkhilPatel
News18
26-07-2025
- Business
- News18
‘Surreal Day': Indian-Origin Man Who Served Chai To PM Modi, Keir Starmer In UK
Last Updated: Akhil Patel served his handmade Indian tea to two world leaders, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, at Chequers. It was a day London-based tea entrepreneur Akhil Patel will never forget. The founder of Amala Chai found himself at the centre of a surreal moment where he served his handmade Indian tea to two world leaders, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, at Chequers. Akhil Patel was invited to Chequers, the British Prime Minister's official country residence, as part of an event celebrating the UK-India free trade partnership. The gathering brought together senior ministers from both countries. In an Instagram post shared on Amala Chai's official page, Akhil described the moment as 'surreal." He said, 'Yesterday, I got invited by Downing Street's Chequers to celebrate the UK-India free trade deal. As one of the few selected brands there, little did I know I'd be serving chai to huge UK and Indian ministers and Modi and Starmer." Before meeting the heads of state, Akhil first served chai to several senior leaders, including UK Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds, Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also stopped by his stall for a cup. 'They were loving it. Coming back for multiple cups," he said. According to Akhil, the most unforgettable part of the day was yet to come. 'Then the big boys started coming my way," he wrote, referring to Prime Ministers Modi and Starmer. He recounted how both leaders casually walked over to his stall, stood right in front of him and asked for a cup of chai. As he handed over the tea, he said, 'From one chaiwala to another," a remark that not only acknowledged PM Modi's well-known past as a tea seller but also brought laughter from both leaders. 'Possibly one of the craziest moments in my life. I just served chai to Modi and Starmer, and Starmer loved it," he added. Who Is Akhil Patel? Akhil Patel is a British citizen of Indian origin who grew up in London. He studied at University College School, Hampstead, and later earned a BSc degree in Management from the London School of Economics (LSE). After a brief stint as a data analyst, he took a different path in 2019. Inspired by his grandmother's traditional recipe, he founded Amala Chai. The brand focuses on authenticity and ethical sourcing. Akhil travelled across India from Assam's tea estates to Kerala's spice farms to directly connect with small family-run growers. By removing middlemen, the brand ensures both fair trade and high quality. view comments First Published: July 26, 2025, 16:28 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hindustan Times
26-07-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Indian-origin entrepreneur who served chai to PM Modi, PM Starmer opens up about his ‘surreal day'
Akhil Patel, a London-based Indian-origin founder of a tea company who served chai to PM Modi and PM Starmer during the Indian leader's recent visit to the UK, has opened up about his 'surreal experience.' In an Instagram post, he recalled how he felt once he saw the world leaders walking towards his stall to have tea instead of coffee. Indian-origin entrepreneur Akhil Patel serving tea to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Keir Starmer. (X/@narendramodi, X/amala_chai) 'A quick recap of a surreal day. Yesterday, I was invited by @10downingstreet to serve chai at Chequers — to @narendramodi , @keirstarmer, and Indian & UK ministers. Can we just take a moment to realise how mad that is?' the entrepreneur posted on his company Amala Chai's official Instagram page. 'There I was, in the UK Prime Minister's house, serving masala chai — and not one person wanted coffee,' he continued. 'From one chaiwala to another, that was a special day. Right… I'm getting off the internet now to make a cup of chai,' he added. Who is Akhil Patel? A London School of Economics graduate, Patel started his career as a data analyst. However, he shifted his career from corporate employee to entrepreneur in 2019 after founding Amala Chai. He started his company after being inspired by his grandmother and her love for tea. The company claims to procure all the materials it sells directly from 'small family farms in Assam and Kerala.' PM Modi's recent UK visit: In a statement, India's Ministry of External Affairs said, 'During his official visit to the United Kingdom from 23-24 July 2025, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi met today with the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Rt. Hon. Sir Keir Starmer. On arrival at the UK Prime Minister's country residence at Chequers in Buckinghamshire, he was warmly received by Prime Minister Starmer. The two leaders held a one-on-one meeting as well as delegation level talks.'
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First Post
25-07-2025
- Business
- First Post
'From one chaiwala to another': Who is Akhil Patel, the Indian-origin man who served masala tea to Modi in London?
PM Narendra Modi and British PM Keir Starmer marked the signing of a Free Trade Agreement over a cup of masala tea served by Akhil Patel, founder of Amala Chai. The London-based tea brand has been gaining popularity for its fresh and flavourful Indian-style tea read more Akhil Patel, the founder of London-based Amala Chai, served up freshly brewed Indian-style tea to both PM Modi and British PM Starmer. Image courtesy: Instagram/@NarendraModi The UK has always had a soft spot for tea. So when Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose early days as a tea seller are widely known, visited the country, it was only fitting that 'chai pe charcha' made its way to the agenda. The moment took place at Chequers, the official country home of British PM Keir Starmer, where the two leaders marked the signing of a major Free Trade Agreement (FTA) over a shared cup of masala chai. But what drew even more attention than the tea itself was the man serving it. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Dressed in a simple kurta and wearing an easy smile, Akhil Patel, the founder of London-based Amala Chai, served up freshly brewed Indian-style tea to both leaders. As he handed over the cups, he looked at PM Modi and said, 'From one chaiwala to another.' The sweet moment quickly went viral on social media, shining a spotlight on the story of Akhil Patel and his homegrown chai label that's been quietly carving out its space in the UK. Here's what we know about the 'London Chaiwala'. Who is Akhil Patel? Akhil Patel is the founder of Amala Chai, a London-based brand dedicated to bringing real, flavourful Indian masala chai to the UK. His family's roots in Britain run deep. His grandmother moved there over five decades ago in search of better opportunities. Patel studied management at the London School of Economics and began his career as a data analyst. But in 2019, he decided to take a different path, fuelled by the memories of drinking chai with his grandmother. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Sharing those memories in a LinkedIn post, Patel wrote: 'I grew up with masala chai — my dad brewed it every morning, and every time I arrived at my grandma's, she would offer to put some chai on.' Over time, he noticed that the chai served in most British cafés didn't taste quite right. It lacked the depth and familiarity of the chai he knew from home. That led him to start Amala Chai, using his grandmother's original recipe, made with single-origin tea from his family-run farms in Assam and spices sourced from Kerala. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Speaking in an interview shared by the British Museum earlier this year, Patel said he was struck by how chai was often misrepresented in the UK. 'It was often overly milky, too sugary, and lacked the complexity of real masala chai,' he said. In another LinkedIn post, he added, 'She's still wondering why I'm in the tea business, but I'm proud to say her chai masala recipe is now loved by thousands.' The story of Amala chai Amala Chai started out in 2019 as a small stall on Brick Lane, one of London's most vibrant food streets. Each cup was brewed fresh on the stove, the traditional way, just like it's made in Indian homes. It didn't take long for the stall to draw attention. People were clearly looking for something more authentic than the overly sweet 'chai lattes' served in most cafes. The name Amala comes from Sanskrit, meaning 'pure.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Today, Amala Chai offers loose-leaf tea blends, spice mixes, and even chai-making tools like milk pans and strainer mugs. According to their social media page, the brand has served over 400,000 cups so far. Their work hasn't gone unnoticed. In May, the British Museum featured Amala Chai in a short video, showcasing its commitment to sourcing directly from farms and preserving Indian chai traditions in the UK. While Akhil Patel himself didn't post anything about the recent event with PM Modi, the official Amala Chai Instagram shared a behind-the-scenes video from the big day. The caption read: 'Just a casual Thursday serving chai for @narendramodi @keirstarmer What a crazy day! Beyond honoured. We'll be sharing the full story with you next week so keep your eyes peeled!' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With input from agencies
India.com
25-07-2025
- Business
- India.com
Sourced From India, Brewed In London: PM Modis Chai Pe Charcha Moment In UK Goes Viral
New Delhi: In a symbolic and heartwarming gesture, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his British counterpart Keir Starmer celebrated the signing of the much-anticipated India-UK Free Trade Agreement by sharing a cup of freshly brewed masala chai at Chequers, the UK Prime Minister's official countryside residence. A modest yet evocative tea stall was set up on the lush lawns of Chequers, featuring a banner that read, "Freshly brewed masala chai. Sourced from India, brewed in London." Behind the stall stood Akhil Patel, a UK-based entrepreneur and founder of Amala Chai, proudly pouring steaming cups of spiced tea for the two leaders. PM Modi later posted a photo of the moment on Instagram, captioned: 'Chai Pe Charcha with PM Keir Starmer at Chequers... brewing stronger India-UK ties!' The photo quickly went viral, not just for the high-level diplomacy, but also for the presence of Patel, dubbed by social media as the 'London Chaiwala'. In a clip shared by Amala Chai's Instagram handle, PM Modi can be seen smiling as he waits for his tea. 'You can have a taste of India,' he says. Patel, dressed in a traditional Indian kurta, carefully describes the rich spice blend: 'It's got cardamom, nutmeg, black pepper…' Then, handing a cup to Modi, he adds with a grin: 'From one chaiwala to another.' Modi nods in appreciation, clearly moved. UK Prime Minister Starmer took a sip and responded warmly: 'Oh, lovely. Yeah, really lovely, nice.' Amala Chai captioned their Instagram post, 'Just a casual Thursday serving chai for @narendramodi @keirstarmer. What a crazy day! Beyond honoured. We'll be sharing the full story with you next week, so keep your eyes peeled!' Who Is Akhil Patel: The 'London Chaiwala'? Akhil Patel is the founder of Amala Chai, a small-batch chai brand based in London known for its clean sourcing, cultural authenticity, and respect for traditional chai brewing. Patel's family has deep roots in the UK; his grandmother migrated over 50 years ago seeking a better life. He studied management at the London School of Economics and initially worked as a data analyst before following a more personal calling. In 2019, driven by nostalgia and the memory of chai shared with his grandmother, Patel made a bold career switch. On LinkedIn, he once reflected: 'I grew up with masala chai, my dad brewed it every morning, and every time I arrived at my grandma's, she would offer to put some chai on.' Frustrated by the lack of authentic chai in cafés across the UK, Patel launched Amala Chai using his grandmother's treasured recipe. The blend uses single-origin tea leaves and spices sourced from family-run farms in Assam and Kerala, bringing a genuine taste of India to teacups in London and beyond. A Tasteful Gesture, A Brewing Partnership Beyond the photo-op, the moment captured at Chequers speaks volumes about the evolving India-UK relationship, grounded not just in policy but in shared experiences and cultural connection. And for Akhil Patel, a young entrepreneur with roots in both nations, it marked a dream fulfilled, serving chai to a leader who once sold tea on railway platforms, now sharing a symbolic cup on a global stage. As trade deals are inked and political ties deepen, perhaps it's chai, steeped in tradition, memory, and warmth, that offers the most comforting sign of all: that the bond between India and the UK is not only strategic but also deeply human.
NDTV
25-07-2025
- Business
- NDTV
Meet Akhil Patel, Indian-Origin Entrepreneur Who Served Tea To PM Modi
Once a data analyst and now a full-time chai entrepreneur, Akhil Patel shot to the spotlight after he served a steaming cup of masala tea to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi on Thursday. The special moment occurred at Chequers, the country residence of Mr Starmer. PM Modi shared a couple of pictures of his interaction with Mr Patel on the X, writing, "Chai pe Charcha with Keir Starmer, brewing stronger India-UK ties." 'Chai Pe Charcha' with PM Keir Starmer at stronger India-UK ties! @Keir_Starmer — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 24, 2025 Who is Akhil Patel? A UK-based entrepreneur, Akhil Patel studied at the University College School, Hampstead, London, and then pursued a BSc in Management at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). During his college years, he took up various internship roles before working full-time as a data analyst for about a year and a half. In 2018, a trip to Ladakh changed everything for him. Mr Patel had grown up drinking tea, but on this trip, he saw the beverage not as a drink, but a ritual. And that's what laid the foundation for what would become Amala Chai. In 2019, inspired by his grandma's recipe, he founded Amala Chai. Described as "Chai That Feels Like Home," the brand's masala chai begins at the source, with single-origin tea and spices from family farms in Assam and Kerala. To ensure authenticity, Mr Patel returned to India and travelled through Assam and Kerala to meet farmers and build direct relationships with small-scale farms. His focus, he says, was to eliminate middlemen from the supply chain, pay fairly, invest in organic practices, and support a system that puts people and the planet first. In May, Akhil and his grandma were on the cover of the British Museum's Instagram page. He shared that his grandma, now 96, came to the UK 50 years ago to look for better opportunities. In London, where Mr Patel launched his venture six years ago, Amala Chai is now available at five different locations.
