Since opening its doors in 2019, Chatwala has grown to become a beloved name in Leicester’s thriving food scene.
Founder and owner, Sumeet Singh, who came to the UK in 2010 as a student, began his journey humbly in waitering. With no background in cooking or hospitality, his journey to becoming a respected chef and business owner is nothing short of remarkable. “It’s all God’s gift,” he tells Pukaar. “My grandfather was a chef too – I think those skills came from him. I never trained, it just came naturally.”
Picture credit: Pukaar News
Chatwala, was born not just from ambition but from a personal moment of doubt turned into determination.
After purchasing a shop in 2017 with plans to open a vegetarian pizza outlet, a discouraging comment from someone lit a fire. “It hurt,” Sumeet admits. “So I decided – no, I will open a pure vegetarian restaurant. I asked my wife, ‘What about the name Chatwala?’ She liked it. It came randomly – it came from God.”
The name stuck, and so did the values: honesty, consistency, and service with heart.
“ Whatever we make, we make from the heart. We don’t cut corners – we always strive to give our customers the very best.“
This philosophy extends beyond the food, as staff are treated like family.
“Whether someone works for us one day or five years, they’re treated equally,” says Sumeet.
Despite the pressures of running a business, the atmosphere at Chatwala remains one of positivity. “There’s a lot of negativity out there, but we don’t have room for that. Whether it’s a big catering job or a small one, we help everyone. Everyone is equal in our eyes.”
This dedication has not gone unnoticed. In September, Chatwala was named Best Vegetarian Restaurant at the Leicestershire Curry Awards. “It’s a huge honour,” Sumeet says proudly. “There are hundreds of vegetarian restaurants in Leicestershire. For us to win again – it’s made a big difference to the business. People call and say congratulations. My staff are so happy – we all went together to the awards ceremony. It was a very proud moment.”
Located in Leicester – now officially known as England’s Curry Capital – Chatwala is thriving. With 20 part-time and full-time local staff, the restaurant is not only a business but a community hub, creating jobs and celebrating the region’s rich culinary culture.
For the founder, Chatwala is more than a restaurant. “It’s my world,” he says simply. And his world is one shaped by faith, family, and food made with love.
