Muhammed Rasheed

My goal is to create dining experiences that are rooted in authenticity, shaped by innovation, and powered by quality.

BIOGRAPHY

I ’m Muhammed Rasheed, a British chef and entrepreneur with a passion for bold flavours, authentic experiences, and operational excellence. With over 20 years in the hospitality industry, I’ve built two distinct and successful food brands: Café Diwali, an award-winning Indian street food restaurant in Salisbury, and Chicktales, a bold new fast-casual chicken brand launching across the UK.

My culinary journey began in India, where I earned a BSc in Catering Science and Hotel Management (2001). I trained and worked with world-renowned luxury hotel chains including Taj Hotels in Kochi (2000–2002) and ITC Kakatiya in Hyderabad (2002–2004). These early years laid a strong foundation in traditional hospitality, refined service, and kitchen leadership.

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Café Diwali – Reinventing Indian Street Food

Café Diwali was created to present authentic Indian street food with a modern, approachable twist. Located in the heart of Salisbury, the restaurant combines vibrant small plates with craft beer and a casual, stylish setting. Over the past 9 years, Café Diwali has earned a reputation for excellence.

Café Diwali continues to be a go-to destination for diners looking for quality, creativity, and authentic Indian flavours.

Asian Curry Awards Finalist/Winner (2017–2019).

Featured in Harden’s Restaurant Guide (2022) – rated 4/5 for food.

Described as “consistently good and authentic... a very different Indian experience.

Salisbury Small Business Award winner.

Journey in the UK

In 2004, I moved to the United Kingdom and immersed myself in both Indian and English kitchens. Between 2004 and 2008, I gained experience working in Indian restaurants across the UK, followed by four years (2008–2012) in British restaurants and hotels where I broadened my culinary and operational expertise.

My first entrepreneurial step came in 2012, when I launched a restaurant in Coventry, which I successfully sold a year later. In 2016, I opened Café Diwali in Salisbury – a venture that would redefine Indian dining in the region.

Philosophy & Vision

My goal is to create dining experiences that are rooted in authenticity, shaped by innovation, and powered by quality. Whether it's crafting modern Indian street food or reinventing fried chicken for a new generation, I believe in delivering flavour, hospitality, and purpose at every level.

As I continue to grow Chicktales and evolve Café Diwali, I remain committed to building food brands that connect people, celebrate culture, and push boundaries.

Chicktales – Crafting a New Comfort Food Experience

In 2024, I founded Chicktales Ltd – a fast-casual fried chicken brand inspired by global comfort food trends and born out of extensive research during the COVID-19 pandemic. After 18 months of testing and refining our recipe, we created a distinct flavour profile that sets Chicktales apart in a market crowded by global giants.
Chicktales is more than a food brand — it’s a scalable, tech-ready model for next-generation comfort dining, built on over two decades of culinary knowledge.

Muhammed

Rasheed