Top TV chefs who starred on hit Channel 4 show to close beloved restaurant after 50 years

A MUCH loved restaurant which starred on a hit Channel 4 show is set to close after 50 years.

The Brilliant restaurant, which serves Punjabi cuisine infused with Kenyan influences, opened its doors in Southall back in 1975.

Brilliant restaurant in SouthallCredit: Trip Advisor

Gulu and Dipna Anand featured alongside Gordon Ramsay on Channel 4Credit: Brilliant Restaurant

His Majesty King Charles has also visited the restaurantCredit: Brilliant RestaurantThe family-run restaurant is run by top TV chef Dipna Anand. Her father Gulu opened the London-based community diner back in 1975.

But the popular West London food spot will be sadly closing its doors for the final time on April 7.

However, there will be one last bash on April 4 with a closing night dinner showcasing the Brilliant’s signature dishes.

Fans can savour masala chicken, karahi gosht and samosa chaat for one last time.

Dipna, who as well as being a restaurateur is a cookbook author, said: “It may be the end of an era for Brilliant Southall, but after 50 years, the Brilliant brand has gained an iconic status in Indian dining.

“We have to ensure that it is constantly evolving to both reflect the preferences of diners, and the food I love to eat, so there’s something delicious for everyone.”

The popular restaurant even featured on Channel 4’s Ramsay’s Best Restaurant during the height of its popularity.

The long-running, family-owned restaurant appeared in Gordon Ramsay’s series, which aims to find the best local restaurants in Britan, in 2010.

In the category for Indian restaurants, the accolade went to Parshab, a vegetarian Indian restaurant in Bradford.

But Gulu Anand, director at The Brilliant, said that it was still an amazing experience being involved on the show. 

The eaterie in Western Road even had Gordon himself mucking in with staff in the kitchen.

The top chef had previously worked with Brilliant staff in the past to get hands-on knowledge of the best ways to cook and serve Indian food.

Mr Anand said at the time: “The restaurant got extremely busy but he managed to get his dishes out on time.

“He was absolutely fantastic working in the kitchen.

“He said this was one of the best organised Indian restaurants he had ever seen and added he loved the food.”

Over the years, the popular Indian business has welcomed several other high-profile guests, including His Majesty the King.

The Brilliant brand was founded in the 1950s by Anand’s grandfather, Bishen Dass Anand.

Its first site was a restaurant, nightclub and hotel in Kenya, which was followed by the launch of a catering business.

In 1973, the family moved to the UK. Two years later, sons Kewal and Gulu Anand opened the first Brilliant restaurant on Western Road in Southall.

But it is not all bad news after Dipna revealed plans late last year to launch a new restaurant, Brilliant Gastro, also in Southall.

The new restaurant will be opening in the Green Quarter, a regeneration project transforming a former gasworks site into new homes, shops and leisure facilities, next month.

Brilliant Gastro will serve dishes combining the Anands’ Punjabi roots with Western classics.

Hospitality industry strugglesMany food and drink businesses have faced significant challenges recently, as the rising cost of living has led to a decline in dining out.

After struggling to recover from the impact of the pandemic, many establishments were then hit with soaring energy bills and mounting inflationary pressures.

This has forced several well-known chains to shut locations, with big brands like Wetherspoons and Frankie & Benny’s among those affected.

Craig Rachel, director at financial advisory firm AlixPartners, outlined the key factors that have driven businesses to close sites last year, in 2024.

He said: “Restaurants have seen the accumulation of external pressures in 2024, including rising utility costs, food prices and labour costs.

“Although some of these factors have stabilised over recent months, the overall impact is significant and will be exacerbated again in 2025 following the budget announcements, and this has all affected profitability.

“Some restaurant groups have been able to mitigate this to a certain extent through operational efficiencies and pricing, but consumer spending in the sector is under pressure meaning price measures are often unable to fully bridge the gap.”

Dipna Anand posing with some of the restaurant’s delicaciesCredit: Brilliant Restaurant

Punters will have a chance to try fan favourites one more time next monthCredit: Trip Advisor

The interior of the popular restaurantCredit: Trip Advisor