Akhil Patel, an Indian-origin entrepreneur based in London, recently gained widespread attention for serving tea to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer during Modi's official visit to the UK. Patel is the founder of Amala Chai, a London-based brand that prides itself on brewing authentic Indian masala chai.

Akhil Patel's "chai pe charcha" moment with PM Modi and Keir Starmer occurred at Chequers, the British Prime Minister's official country residence. This event coincided with the signing of a significant India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA), aimed at strengthening economic relations between the two nations. A tea stall was set up on the lawn at Chequers, where Patel served his freshly brewed masala chai. A banner above the stall read: "Freshly brewed masala chai. Sourced from India, brewed in London".

The interaction between Patel and the two Prime Ministers quickly went viral. As he handed a cup of tea to PM Modi, Patel playfully remarked, "From one chaiwala to another". This was a nod to Modi's humble beginnings as a tea seller. PM Modi smiled and nodded in appreciation of Patel's remark. Starmer also enjoyed the tea, calling it "lovely" and appreciating its rich flavors. PM Modi later shared photos from the event on social media, captioning them "'Chai Pe Charcha' with PM Keir Starmer at Chequers… brewing stronger India-UK ties!".

Akhil Patel's journey to becoming the "London Chaiwala" is rooted in his family's history and his own experiences growing up in the UK. His grandmother migrated to the UK over 50 years ago. Patel recalls growing up with masala chai, with his father brewing it every morning and his grandmother always offering to make some. Over time, Patel noticed that the chai served outside India often lacked the authentic flavor and feel of home. This inspired him to create Amala Chai, with the goal of honoring the origins of chai, championing better sourcing, and sharing one of the world's great rituals.

According to his LinkedIn profile, Patel attended University College School in Hampstead, London, before earning a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Management from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). He held internships at several organizations during his time at university and worked as a data analyst after graduation. In 2019, Patel decided to pursue his passion for chai and launched Amala Chai.

Amala Chai sources its tea and spices directly from small family farms in Assam and Kerala. Patel traveled to India to meet farmers and establish direct relationships with these farms. His goal is to eliminate middlemen, ensure fair pay, invest in organic practices, and support a system that prioritizes people and the planet. Amala Chai started as a small stall on Brick Lane, where each cup was brewed fresh on the stove in the traditional way. The stall quickly gained popularity, demonstrating the demand for authentic masala chai in the UK.

Akhil Patel's story has resonated with many, highlighting the cultural connections between India and the UK and the entrepreneurial spirit of those who seek to share their heritage with the world.