Imad Alarnab is a Syrian chef, entrepreneur and refugee who ran three successful restaurants, several juice bars and cafes in Damascus.

In the war, Imad's businesses were destroyed and he was forced to flee the country in search of safety. Making his way from Lebanon through Europe, Imad shared his skills cooking for other refugees, up to 400 at a time.

Imad arrived in London in 2015 and eventually his family was able to join him. Putting aside his passion for food, Imad worked a number of jobs, including as a car salesman in his early days in London. With the help of some good friends, Imad burst onto the London restaurant scene four years ago with a series of charity events which became hugely popular. Supper clubs sold out within hours and hungry workers waited patiently in long queues for take-away lunches at pop-ups.

Imad’s Syrian Kitchen opened in Kingly Court in Soho, London in early 2020. After three and half years in our old home we moved into a new home in the summer of 2023. Still in Kingly Court the new space gave Imad chance to show his full vision.