About Sabbir Karim
Abdul Musabbir Karim (আবদুল মুছাব্বির করিম), known to most people as Sabbir, is a British-Bangladeshi chef, restaurateur, international philanthropist, community leader and aviation professional.
He founded and owns three London restaurants: Salaam Namaste, Namaaste Kitchen and Namaaste Highgate. He has flown with British Airways for more than three decades, and his charitable and community work reaches from Camden to Maulvibazar.
Early life and education
Sabbir Karim was born in Ekatuna, in the Maulvibazar District of Bangladesh. He spent his early childhood in the village, walking several miles along muddy roads to school in the city each day and doing his homework by the light of a lantern.
At nine, he moved to the United Kingdom and settled in London, where he grew up in council housing and attended a state school in Notting Hill.
By 16, Sabbir had become a breadwinner for his family. The need to support his household led him straight into work after secondary school, beginning his career in hospitality. These early responsibilities shaped his work ethic, independence and understanding of the pressures faced by families trying to make ends meet.
Determined to continue his education, he returned to study at 21, completing a BTEC National Diploma in Business and Finance at Southgate College while working. This gave him knowledge he would later draw on as a restaurateur and business owner.
More than three decades of work in aviation and hospitality followed, alongside charitable and community commitments. At 55, Sabbir fulfilled a longstanding ambition to return to formal education, beginning his journey towards a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) at the University of West London through its foundation programme. He continues his legal studies alongside his professional and community responsibilities, deepening his interest in justice, public service and the role of law in everyday life.
Education holds a special place in his heart. Two of his children have studied at the University of Oxford, while his daughter is studying medicine at Lancaster University. Reflecting on the contrast between his early life and his children’s opportunities, the Camden New Journal described the family’s journey as “a story of quiet success”.
From leaving school to support his family to returning to study at 55, Sabbir’s experience reflects his belief that age should never be a barrier to education and that it is never too late to learn.
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Two careers, side by side
Sabbir joined British Airways in the early 1990s and still flies as a Cabin Crew Leader. In 2005 he opened his first restaurant, Salaam Namaste in Bloomsbury. Namaaste Kitchen in Camden Town followed in 2010, and later Namaaste Highgate.
Running restaurants while flying around the world isn't a usual mix. For Sabbir it works: the travel feeds the food, and both jobs come down to looking after people.
Giving back
He is a long-standing trustee of The Sreepur Village, founder of the Sabbir Karim Foundation, and founder and chair of the Salimun Nessa Free Primary Health Care Trust. He also founded and chairs British Bangladeshi Friends of Labour and is Patron of Sylhet United Football Club.
On 22 October 2026, Sabbir was admitted to the Freedom of the City of London at a ceremony at the historic Guildhall, marking a proud milestone in his journey from a village in Bangladesh to a life of service in London and beyond.
A voice in public life
Sabbir's community work has brought him into contact with political and civic leaders, including visits to 10 Downing Street.
Milestones
- ChildhoodGrows up in Ekatuna, Maulvibazar, Bangladesh
- Age 9Moves to the United Kingdom and settles in London
- Age 21Completes a BTEC National Diploma in Business and Finance at Southgate College
- Early 1990sJoins British Airways
- 2005Opens Salaam Namaste in Bloomsbury
- 2010Opens Namaaste Kitchen in Camden Town
- 2012, 2013Named Best Asian and Oriental Chef at the Asian Curry Awards
- 2017Supports survivors, firefighters and families after the Grenfell Tower fire
- 2025Receives the Outstanding Contribution to Charity and Community Service award
- 22 October 2026Admitted to the Freedom of the City of London at a ceremony at Guildhall
Home in Camden
Sabbir lives in Camden, London. He continues to balance his roles as restaurateur, community leader, philanthropist and British Airways Cabin Crew Leader, and still finds time for the projects closest to him in Bangladesh.