"I had a vision from GOD to open a Indian restaurant in Budapest", he says. Having no previous business experience, Allen started the pursuit of his vision with only his faith to guide him. His first venture was a small Kebab shop next to Beckett's on Alkotmány street.

This started off as a one-man show in December 2002, and in two years Diwan Tandoori had become the essential ethnic eatery of Budapest. The opening of the shop turned out to be too small for Allen Diwan’s ambitions, and December 2004 saw him opening the swankiest Indian joint in Budapest with an Israeli collaborator. Kama Sutra soon became the hippest Indian restaurant in Town. The partnership, however, turned out to be futile - and Allen had to leave the prestigious establishment in Jan 2006.

But as a Visionary restaurateur the quiet life was not for Allen, and he ventured back into the restaurant life by taking charge of Kashmir in mid-2006 - this time much emphasis was given by Allen and his team on the originality of each recipe. "I'm proud to have the best kitchen team in Kashmir.

The quality of the food in Kashmir is very strictly controlled and the heart of each dish can be traced back to an individual household in India". These standards didn't go unnoticed by the media and Kashmir was soon designated as Budapest's headquarters for authentic Indian cuisine. Allen Diwan's ambitions led him further, with the opening of a branch of Kashmir in Debrecen in Jan 2007.

Allen Diwan goes from strength to strength in his restaurants. Be a part of his vision by joining one of his spice presentations. Allen Diwan also has planes to give Cooking classes in the near future.

1. When did you arrive in Hungary and what brought you here?
1998, to study medicine.

2. Have you ever been an expatriate elsewhere?
I am a Pakistani from origin born in Kuwait, my parents are settled in UK, and I live in Hungary for the past 10 years. So I really don?t know where my real home is, as I have not visited Pakistan for 15 years and Kuwait since 10 years. I visit Manchester and London very regularly. (About 8 -10 times a year). So yeah I have been an expat before.


3. What surprised you most about Hungary?
It is a magical country. Everybody seems to complain about their salaries but the restaurants, night clubs and cinemas and theaters are quiet full.

4. Friends are in Budapest for a weekend-what must they absolutely see and do?
Must see Budapest?s night life. From the Hajógyári Sziget to all the open air venues in the summer to all the downtown clubs. A walk on Andrássy, with a cup of tea at the Liszt Ferenc. A day time view from the Fishermans bastion, and a night time view from the Citedella. And of course must visit the baths. (Rudas and Szécsényi recomended).

5. What is your favorite Hungarian food?
As I am a restauranter and run an Indian restaurant it is difficult to answer this question, not the gulyás for sure. The sweets and pites are good (Gundel palacsinta or a túró gombóc). And a csirke paprikás and goes well sometimes.

6. What is never missing from your refrigerator?
Túró Rudi

7. What is your favorite Hungarian word?
Hát.........izé.....nem tudom

8. What do you miss the most from home?
Positive attitude.

9. What career other than yours would you love to pursue?
A priest or a DJ

10. What?s a job you would definitely never want?
Adó ellen?r

11.Where did you spend your last vacation?
Paris

12. Where do you hope to spend your next one?
Paris. Actually I would love to live in London, Paris and Budapest.

13. What was your favorite band, film, or hobby as a teen?
The bad the ugly and the........., queen, cricket.

14. What can?t you resist?
Chocolate

15. Red wine or white?
Not a wine person

16. Book or movie?
Both....no movie........no book.........no both

17. Morning person or night person?
Night

18. Dog person or cat person?
Not an animal person

19. Buda side or Pest side?
Residence Buda, life Pest

20. What would you say is your personal motto?
Motto 1: always think positive.
Motto 2: conceive the invisible achieve the impossible