Chef Ahmed Abdalla has revealed ambitions to open a restaurant in York, marking the next chapter of his career.
The announcement follows Ahmed’s confirmation that he is set to leave Legacy this month – the fine-dining restaurant at five-star hotel The Grand, York – where he has established himself as one of the city’s leading chefs.
Further details will be announced in the coming months but Ahmed has confirmed that he will remain in York for the venture, with plans to open a independent restaurant in 2027.
For Ahmed, the decision represents a natural progression in his career and an opportunity to build something of his own.
“Opening a restaurant is something I’ve thought and talked about for a long time, and eventually you reach a point where you have to take the leap,” said Ahmed.
“I’ve learned an incredible amount throughout my career and I’m proud of what I’ve achieved. This next chapter gives me the opportunity to be more expressive and to create dishes around the way I want people to eat and experience food. It’s exciting because I’m starting with a blank page,” he added.
Having lived and worked in York for more than a decade, Ahmed now considers the city home and says its close-knit hospitality community, diners and exceptional access to local produce have all played a part in his decision to establish his first restaurant there.
“York has become home to me,” he said. “I’ve been here for around 12 years and so much of the chef and person I am now has been shaped by this city and the people I’ve met here.
“There is a real community within hospitality. People know each other, they support each other and there is a brilliant network of independent businesses and producers. I wanted whatever I did next to be part of that,” said Ahmed.
The quality and proximity of produce available to chefs in and around York will also play a significant role in Ahmed’s new venture.
He added: “The produce we have access to here is incredible. You can work with independents and producers who are practically on your doorstep. I genuinely don’t think there are many places where you can get this quality and variety of produce from so close by.”
“For a chef, that’s hugely exciting. When you’re developing dishes and have the freedom to decide exactly what you want to cook, having that quality around you gives you so much to work with.”
Ahmed’s decision to open independently comes at a challenging time for the UK hospitality industry. However, rather than putting him off taking the step into restaurant ownership, Ahmed believes there will never be a perfect moment to do it.
“I think it has to be now or never,” he said. “Hospitality is always going to have challenges and if you wait for every problem to disappear before doing something you’ve dreamed about, you’ll probably never do it.
“I’ve spent years building my career and I feel ready to take that next step. There is obviously a huge amount of work involved, but that’s part of it. At some point you have to back yourself and go for it.”
Ahmed also believes York has an opportunity to continue developing its reputation as a dining destination and wants his new restaurant to bring something different to the city’s evolving food scene.
He added: “York already has some brilliant restaurants and some incredibly talented people working here, but I think there’s still room to bring something new to the city.
“You look at places like Manchester and London and the variety of dining experiences available, and I think York has the potential to keep pushing in that direction. I want to add something different and give people another reason to be excited about eating here.
“For me, it’s about creating the kind of restaurant I want to cook in, in the city I want to live in. York has given me a lot over the last 12 years, and it feels right that the next stage of my career happens here too.”
