Latest news with #AmalaChai
NDTV
5 days ago
- Business
- NDTV
"One Of The Craziest Moments Of My Life": Akhil Patel On Serving Chai To PM Modi And Starmer
Indian-origin tea entrepreneur Akhil Patel had a day to remember at Chequers, the official country residence of the UK Prime Minister, on July 24. Mr Patel served a steaming cup of masala chai to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his British counterpart Keir Starmer. Photographs shared by PM Modi on X (formerly Twitter) captured both leaders waiting for their tea at Patel's stall. Dressed in a traditional kurta and Nehru jacket, Mr Patel was captured pouring masala chai from a kettle into paper cups. 'Chai Pe Charcha' with PM Keir Starmer at stronger India-UK ties! @Keir_Starmer — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 24, 2025 Now, in an Instagram clip, the founder of Amala Chai gave his followers 'a quick recap of a surreal day'. 'I just got on Modi's Instagram!' he began, clearly astonished. Detailing the invitation, Mr Patel said he was asked to serve tea at 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,' he said. Among those who visited his stall were UK Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds and Health Secretary Wes Streeting. 'They were loving it, coming back for multiple cups,' said Patel, adding that even India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar sampled his tea. Recalling the high point of the day, Patel said, 'Then the big boys started coming my way, walking by the side of me and standing right in front of me, asking for a cup of chai.' He was referring to PM Modi and Keir Starmer. 'I served the chai, and then I dropped the line, 'from one chaiwala to another',' he added. 'Possibly one of the craziest moments of my life, I just served chai to Modi and Starmer, and Starmer loved it,' he added. His Instagram caption read, '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? There I was, in the UK Prime Minister's house, serving masala chai — and not one person wanted coffee. From one chaiwala to another, that was a special day. Right… I'm getting off the internet now to make a cup of chai.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Amala Chai | Masala Chai (@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. Since its launch six years ago, Patel's Amala Chai has grown and now serves customers at five locations across London.
News18
5 days ago
- 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.
News18
6 days ago
- Business
- News18
'From One Chaiwala To Another': Indian-Origin Man, Who Served Tea To PM Modi In UK, Reacts To 'Surreal Day'
PM Modi's UK trip was highlighted by a viral Chai moment with UK PM Keir Starmer, served by Akhil Patel, founder of Amala Chai. Patel shared his surreal experience on social media. While PM Modi's UK trip has been a success, his Chai moment with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer went viral and so did the brewer- Akhil Patel. This Indian-origin founder of a tea company, Amala Chai, is the man of moment since he served tea to two of the most powerful leaders of the world. Patel shared his 'surreal experience" on social media and posted a video on his brand's official Instagram page. '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?" Patel 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. Patel also shared a post on his LinkedIn account and expressed his excitement. 'MODI & STARMER DRANK MY CHAI! & I'M ON THE FRONT OF MODI's INSTAGRAM," he exclaimed. Patel shared a video of his interaction with the Indian and UK Prime Ministers, and added, 'Politics aside this is totally mental ? Surreal day being asked to come to Chequers to celebrate the trade deal between the UK & India. Little did i know that Starmer & Modi would come for a cup of chai whilst the whole media were watching." After signing the landmark Free Trade Agreement between India and the UK, a special tea stall was set up on the lawn where the two leaders engaged in 'chai pe charcha'. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! view comments First Published: 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.
India Today
6 days ago
- Business
- India Today
London tea seller who served PM Modi, Starmer shares his experience in viral video
Akhil Patel, a London-based Indian-origin tea entrepreneur, found himself brewing more than just a cup when he served masala chai to Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Keir Starmer at a UK-India trade event on - founder of Amala Chai - served tea to both leaders during PM Modi's visit to the UK to mark the signing of the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The meeting took place at Chequers, the British PM's country later shared a video on Instagram to share his experience. 'Did I just get into Modi's Instagram? Yes, today I got invited to Drowning Streets to celebrate the UK-India Free Trade Agreement,' he said in a video. 'As one of the few selected brands there, little did I know that I'd be serving chai to UK and Indian ministers, and to Modi and Starmer.' He added that he also served tea to India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. 'There I was, in the UK Prime Minister's house, serving masala chai, and not one person wanted coffee,' he said."This was possible one of the craziest moments of my life," Patel said. Watch the viral video here: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Amala Chai | Masala Chai (@amala_chai)But the internet-favourite moment came when Patel, handing over a cup to PM Modi, quipped, 'From one chaiwala to another.' The Prime Minister acknowledged the remark with a smile and a wore a colourful Nehru jacket as he listed the origins of his ingredients: 'Masala chai, sourced from India. Tea comes from Assam, spices from Kerala,' he explained, handing a cup to Modi later shared photos of their tea moment on X, writing, 'Chai pe Charcha with PM Keir Starmer at Chequers... brewing stronger India-UK ties!'A former data analyst and a London School of Economics graduate, Patel started Amala Chai in 2019, inspired by his grandmother's love for tea. His company now sources ingredients directly from small family farms in Assam and Kerala, and clearly, his passion has brewed him the moment of a lifetime.- Ends
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- 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.'
