Dr. Ijlal Haider

There are not many people in life who get to do the thing they love for a living, and cooking has always been my passion. Now, I run Old Hall Restaurant, Shrewsbury’s first Persian-inspired restaurant, and I’m able to share my love of Persian-inspired cuisine with everyone.

Ever since I first came to Britain and became a highly qualified doctor, I wanted to cook for others. These dreams were finally realised when I acquired the restaurant in 2009. Having swapped my doctor’s coat for chef’s whites, I couldn’t be happier with the way my cooking has become renowned around the area. I have won awards and rave reviews and even appeared in the MasterChef Live Challenge at the BBC Good Food Show 2011 in Birmingham.

I am very enthusiastic about Persian-inspired cuisine, and it’s been great fun these past few years to bring those flavours to Shropshire. I always cook from the heart and keep it simple, and yet the results are amazing to look at, to smell, and to taste. It’s full of pleasant surprises!