My Million Pound Menu winner Baba G’s open “dream” restaurant – despite turning down £300k investment

Two London street food traders have opened their “dream” first restaurant despite turning down a £300,000 investment from revered chef Atul Kochhar.

Alec Owen and Liz Selway, of Herne Hill, won praise for their Indian-inspired brand Baba G’s on BBC cooking contest Million Pound Menu in November.

The show sees up-and-coming street food sellers and pop-ups compete for investment from a panel of industry judges. Business and life partners Mr Owen and Ms Selway, who started their venture in 2008, impressed Kochhar — one of the world’s first Indian chefs to win a Michelin star — and fellow judge Jamie Barber, the man behind Hache and Cabana restaurants.

The couple were offered £300,000 by both Kochhar and Barber to open a full-time restaurant, after proving themselves with a pop-up in Manchester.

They chose Kochhar, but Mr Owen revealed they later turned down the money as “the deal was taking longer to work out than expected” and they were “offered the dream location in Camden”. Both Kochhar and Barber have mentored the couple in recent months.

“We were struggling to get all our ducks in a row,” Mr Owen said. “And then we were offered this site… but we had to be in by May, so we got the investment ourselves. It was a dream location… There’s no hard feelings [with Kochhar] and he has been so helpful.”

The couple, who have a seven-year-old son, Abraham, last week launched their first permanent sit-down, 50-cover restaurant in Camden Market’s North Yard. Baba G’s offerings include Bhangra Burgers, tikka chicken nuggets, and a Club Naanwich, with prices ranging from £2.50 to £11.

Kochhar said: “I’m delighted for Alec and Liz to be finally opening their restaurant and I’ll continue to mentor and support Baba G’s.”