Owner of top North East restaurant who ‘couldn’t cook’ launches viral recipe book

Elahi Amin, the My Dehli owner, has taken social media by storm after his recipes caught the eye of 300,000 followers, with a book of his meals now offered out to his hundreds of thousands of fans
Jason Button
By Jason Button
Published 23rd Oct 2023, 06:00 BST
Elahi Amin’s social media accounts see the restauranter cook up dishes despite his lack of formal trainingElahi Amin’s social media accounts see the restauranter cook up dishes despite his lack of formal training
Elahi Amin’s social media accounts see the restauranter cook up dishes despite his lack of formal training

The owner of two top North East restaurants has taken social media by storm with his now-viral online recipes.

Elahi Amin, who owns My Delhi in Newcastle and Sunderland, has taken the internet by storm after his meals were picked up on his social media account. The business owner admitted he could not cook before lockdown, though his recipes won some favour with his 300,000 followers.

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Hey Baba Here! plays host to his variety of family recipes, with a broad range of Indian and Italian specials, as well as versions of popular fast food, made at home and fused with the likes of Tandoori Chicken Pasta.

Elahi’s dishes delighted his followers and a cookbook soon followedElahi’s dishes delighted his followers and a cookbook soon followed
Elahi’s dishes delighted his followers and a cookbook soon followed

Mr Amin, whose involvement with the hospitality industry has stretched back some years, was surprised by the success of his online presence.

Elahi, whose father owned a popular Indian restaurant in South Shields, said: “Like lots of people I just started to cook during Covid. I’m not a chef, although I’ve picked up bits and pieces from the chefs, I’ve worked with over the years, but I just started to do my own versions.

“It was my daughter who suggested I posted some of them on TikTok and I just couldn’t believe the response, it just went crazy. So, when the opportunity came to do a cookery book – which was something I always wanted to do – I just couldn’t turn it down.”

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Elahi’s cookbook, Baba Cooks, has been published by Found and costs £24.99Elahi’s cookbook, Baba Cooks, has been published by Found and costs £24.99
Elahi’s cookbook, Baba Cooks, has been published by Found and costs £24.99

A cookbook has since been published by Found, which specialises in turning social media accounts into viable, printed works without a financial commitment from its creator.

All Elahi needs to do is promote the book on his social media accounts, something he has been happy to do, adding: “It’s going really well, better than I ever hoped. So much so that I’d like to do a second book. I’ve had requests for it from around the world – from Nigeria, Dubai and Ghana. It’s been fantastic.

“It’s great having fantastic chefs who have been able to help me along my cooking journey. I can’t believe what’s happened in such a short space of time and having the cookery book has been an absolutely amazing opportunity.”

Elahi’s book is available for £24.99 and purchasable here.

Related topics:RestaurantNorth EastSocial mediaRestaurantsNewcastleSunderland

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