TRINIDADIAN CHEF TALKS ABOUT GROWING FROM A SMALL POP-UP TO LONDON’S ONLY CARIBBEAN RESTAURANT IN CENTRAL LONDON
Chef Sham Mahabir, founding father of Limin’ Southbank, just lately gained the Individuals’s Selection Award for Restaurant of the Yr on the 2025 Be Inclusive Hospitality Awards. On this interview, he talks concerning the journey from a small pop-up at Outdated Spitalfields Market to operating the one Caribbean restaurant in central London, and what the award means to him.
Successful the Individuals’s Selection Award will need to have felt superb. What went by your thoughts when Limin’ was introduced as Restaurant of the Yr?
For some context, it’s one I wished to win as I knew it was the important thing award. From nominated restaurant to simply right down to 4. It’s out of your arms, and as a lot work as you do, you may’t assist however have a look at the competitors and say all of them will. I had been overseas and had come again to attend the award, however, feeling drained, I had hoped my visitor would cancel. She didn’t. So I placed on my Indian black-tie clothes and was prepared for the night time, pondering I used to be going to have a good time simply being shortlisted.
When our identify was known as, I used to be shocked, overjoyed, delighted, and grateful. I had pleasure, ready a speech, however my associate requested if we gained, what would I say!
It was clear to me that this award must be devoted to the Windrush Technology, who paved the way in which for me to do what I do at the moment.
Limin’ began as a pop-up and is now the one Caribbean restaurant in central London. What have been a few of the most difficult moments alongside that journey?
There have been many challenges. On a excessive from the success of the pop-up, we have been unsuccessful in our seek for a venue till we discovered Coin Road. It’s the place we discovered our residence.
Different challenges have included the fallout from Brexit and staffing shortages, rising costs, the alarmingly excessive price of service fees, the price of dwelling and power disaster, and, let’s not overlook, COVID-19, which posed many challenges. Bear in mind, we opened after the primary lockdown. On the time, it was daring and courageous. Immediately, I can say it was an unimaginable choice that allowed me to do what nobody else has been in a position to do.
Past the meals, Limin’ is thought for bringing folks collectively by issues like Worldwide Doubles Day and the Jerk & Past Competition. Why is that group connection so necessary to you?
We see Limin as a group connection first. IDD and J&B have been issues I did earlier than we discovered a house. It was a solution to get the diaspora and our tradition seen and take centre stage whereas showcasing meals like doubles to Londoners.
Going ahead, the 2026 summer season idea is about one of the best of T&T, so count on rooms to be devoted to parts of my homeland.
You’ve mentioned Limin’ wasn’t your dream however in some way grew to become your future. What was your dream, and the way did Limin’ change into your future?
Rising up on an island, the dream was to flee. I wished greater than it might have supplied me. Arriving right here, I met my associate, and I’ve had an excellent life. I don’t suppose I’ve had many desires, and a few of them have been realised, and a few of them have modified.
Limin grew to become my future after I recognised that it was lacking.
With the unimaginable reception Limin obtained at Outdated Spitalfields Market, I questioned why it had not been accomplished earlier than. Lastly, I’ve discovered one thing I might do very nicely.
I like what I do, and I’m excellent at it.
Successful two distinguished awards is a testomony to the exhausting work, ardour, and willpower.
Clearly, one motive it has not been accomplished is the associated fee. I’m not dripping in cash, however with what little we had, we made it work. Immediately, the enterprise stays 100% owned by my associate and me.
Congratulations in your seventh anniversary of operating this restaurant. Did you ever envision the restaurant getting this far seven years in the past?
Seven years in the past, I dared not dream. It was an concept that I simply ran with. Once I sat by the point Angostura got here in as a sponsor, it was daring, however it was proper. I lead with my intestine intuition. As I mentioned earlier than, it was by no means a dream; it’s change into my future. Showcasing the Caribbean and the undiscovered meals of the Caribbean is now a job. It’s a calling. I’m not certain concerning the future, however I do know I don’t wish to preserve doing this. I’ve extra to supply the world as an individual, as a chef, a businessman, and a champion of a world the place we see ourselves as #OneCaribbean #OnePeople #OneLove.
For extra info, go to limin.co.uk.
