Enterprise Support to Chef Akila.
Keighley Community Led Local Development.
Participate supported Chef Akila in 2022 as part of our Enterprise Support programme for businesses based in the Keighley CLLD area.
Chef Akila is a family business established in 2018 by Akila Chokkalingam and Selvarani Kumar. Before moving to England, Akila was a renowned cook in the Tamil Nadu region of India. Initially operating from the founder’s home, the business expanded quickly, requiring a larger production facility.
Participate supported Chef Akila through business coaching and developing a strong business case, eventually supporting the successful application to the Keighley CLLD grant pot.
The grant funded a new kitchen to meet the demands of Chef Akilas growing customer base.
The new premises opened in 2022, rapidly increasing the production capacity. The business now employees a further four members of staff full time.
“Chief Akila are a wonderful example of how self determination and passion about your product can really make a difference. They are enthusiastic about how they see their food service develop over the years and are prepared to put the extra effort in to get there. I am really pleased for them and look forward to seeing more business milestones being met in the future” – Waj Hussain, Business Coach
Moving forward, Chef Akila aims to add additional equipment to the kitchen and further expand production capacity, hire more staff, take on apprentices and upskill through additional training.