Ambition burns brightly for young manager Jaskaran

With chains such as Pizza Express and Burger King as neighbours, Sai Chef stands out as one of the few independently owned restaurants at Xscape in Castleford.

And what makes Sai Chef even more unusual is that the manager is 18 years old.

Despite his lack of years, Jaskaran Dutta, has a very good business head on his shoulders which is one of the main reasons his father and uncle decided to give him the opportunity.

"It is important to give young people a chance," says his uncle, Mr Farzand, who has run a successful chain of takeaways.

"You read a lot of bad things about young people, but you have to nurture them and give them opportunities. Jas is a testament to that. He has shown his commitment and enthusiasm. He is a great example to other young people."

When not working flat out at Sai Chef, Jas is at college studying for his A-levels.

His dream is open a chain of Sai Chef restaurants – a second is planned to open in Sheffield later this year – especially one in his native India. "My mum is a great cook and she always insists that I go home for meals rather than eat here," says Jas, gesturing to the large 150- cover restaurant.

"It was my mum's dream to have a hotel or restaurant in India, but we moved to Bradford when I was five. Now my goal is to achieve my mum's dream," says Jas.

All the food is freshly prepared and cooked by the talented team of chefs led by the charismatic Mr Tariq who has worked in some of the world's top hotels and restaurants and even spent time on the QE2. He is happy to come out of his kitchen and talk to customers about anything to do with Indian cuisine.

Quality, honesty, price and service is key at Sai Chef, says Mr Farzand, who is rightly proud of the fact that the restaurant holds a five-star rating from Wakefield Council for its health and hygiene.

"You have to be consistent," he says. "That is what people want."

As well as the la carte menu, Sai Chef offers a special lunchtime buffet, where customers can choose from a special menu of about 15 dishes for a set price of 5.99, all of which are cooked fresh to order.

They are also looking at starting a delivery service in a five-mile radius of Xscape as well as developing a lunchtime service to local businesses.

"We want to be part of the community providing a service and jobs. We are all trying to work together to give the best to our customers.

It is so gratifying when someone comes in who has never tasted Indian

food before and we cook them a meal and they love it and come back. That makes all the hard work worthwhile."

Sai Chef at Xscape Castleford. Telephone: 01977 519440.