A prestigious and renowned Edinburgh restaurant is celebrating 37 years at the top of Leith Walk alongside the founders’ newest lifetime achievement award.
Shezan’s Indian Restaurant has watched decades of change go by from its perch on Leith Walk across from the Edinburgh Playhouse.
When 80 year old Abdul Ghani Senior first moved from India to Scotland as a young boy, little did he know the legacy he would create for himself and his family in the years to come.
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On Thursday, Abdul’s grandson, Shahid opened up about the life and legacy his grandfather has built for the family.
Abdul Ghani turned 80 years old this year, and in September he celebrated his third lifetime achievement award for his contribution to the curry industry.
When he opened his first Indian restaurant in Glasgow in the mid-1970s, he had no idea how big or successful it would become. More than 40 years later, Shahid said his grandfather’s brand has become an Edinburgh institution.
“When he opened his first restaurant, he had no idea what it would turn into,” Shahid said.
“We’ve fed everyone from the locals and tourists to Sean Connery and Cliff Richards.”
Shahid said the family has kept it quiet, but they’ve also delivered to Holyrood Palace.
“We have people from all over the world that come back to Edinburgh to see us. People will say they were here years ago during a trip and couldn’t wait to come back,” Shahid said.
In September, Abdul was given the SPICE Lifetime Achievement award. As he walked across the stage in London to accept his trophy, his entire family was there to celebrate with him.
“Unfortunately he’s not keeping well at the moment, but it was amazing to see his accomplishments celebrated,” Shahid said.
“It was amazing to be there with him.”
Shezan’s Indian Restaurant in Edinburgh has been at the same location at the top of Leith Walk across from the Playhouse since 1985. Shahid said it has become a landmark and an institution for many over the years, and he’s proud to be the most recent family guardian of the Shezan name.
It was Shahid’s first job as a teenager, and he remembers his grandfather’s steady leadership on busy nights.
“We were in the kitchen on many busy nights and I remember his voice in the background keeping people going,” he recalled.
“He’s certainly gentler than Gordon Ramsey, but he had steel when he needed it. He taught me the secret to success is a happy restaurant and providing the best quality food we can.”
Abdul moved from India to Scotland as a young boy, and he brought his love of Indian cuisine with him to Glasgow. Abdul briefly worked as a hotel chef, and he worked with an experienced and talented Goan chef who inspired him to pursue his passion.
In the 1970s, Abdul opened up his own Indian restaurant in Glasgow, and his goal was to make it the best Indian restaurant in the city.
More than 40 years later, Abdul and his family own multiple restaurants across Scotland. Including restaurants in Perth and Aberdeenshire.
Shahid said the secret to success has simply been hard work and dedication.
“My message to everybody is to be honest about it, good food, keep it clean, good service, no shortcuts,” Abdul told cameras after winning his most recent award.
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