Whether you are an unfussy eater or a proud foodie with sky-high standards, there is no denying the importance and impact food has on our lives. From providing essential nutrients and sustaining us to socialising, connecting us to our heritage and more, good food is very much the universal glue holding us together.
Inspired by cherished memories of his Nana’s cooking and large family meals as a child, Adam Hussain brought his love of family home-style cooking to Basil Spice. With a passion for food and a determination to change the perception of gastro dining, Adam created a haven for those sharing an appreciation for traditional Indian cuisine and good times.
We met up with Adam at his Storage King unit in Basildon to discuss Basil Spice and how his business has taken the experience of gastro dining to new levels.
Tell us a bit about Basil Spice, your role, and what inspired you to create it
Basil Spice is a restaurant and takeaway, and my role is a manager. The inspiration for the business came from food, and what inspired me personally was the motivation of being successful. I went to West London and completed a culinary course for 6 months to learn what I could before I started.
How did the Basil Spice journey start?
My journey started off as an investor back in 2017, until my uncle decided that he had had enough and wanted to leave. I was a bit surprised, but I’m one of those individuals that never gives up. I came in and looked at the area, the location, and looked at the restaurant itself and there was potential, so I took over in 2018. I made it a family-friendly environment - the complete opposite to fine-dining - making Basil Spice gastro, laid back, and a fun way of people going out to eat and enjoying themselves.
How has Covid-19 impacted your business?
Covid-19 impacted in terms of foot traffic and people coming in - it felt empty. However, in terms of business, it helped that I’ve got very good social media and great followers, and we were quite lucky and fortunate that our takeaways were surviving. It impacted our sales about 20%, but we survived and we flourished, in fact, in some months.
What makes Basil Spice different?
What makes Basil Spice stand out is that we’re the total opposite in terms of gastro dining and what people expect. We’re more laid back, chilled and family-friendly, offering very good food and a good ambience.
How has Storage King helped your business?
We do a lot of events at our restaurant, including weddings, hen and stag do’s, and we also have a separate decor company. Storage King makes our life easier, as we can locally store all of our items in terms of materials and come back at night or early in the morning and be able to pick it all up. From chairs and tables to chair and table covers, the backdrops and sashes, Storage King’s central location works hand in hand with convenience.
Networking has also been helpful. I’ve met some wonderful individuals here on my walkabouts, and they’ve come into the restaurant with their local business to eat and enjoy good meals.
What are your top 5 tips for business owners?
My five top tips are to be hungry for success, stay inspired, always persevere, think outside of the box and always stay calm.
What’s next for Basil Spice?
We would like to focus on marketing to become number one in Basildon, where gastro dining is made famous and good food is always available. I have already invested in other takeaway companies and we’re going to start rebranding them within the next 3 to 4 months. We’re also bringing in vegan dishes and improving all the time.
If you are looking for the perfect spot to relax while indulging in delicious meals, Basil Spice is your answer. With a mouth-watering menu of traditional Indian meals and a family-friendly environment, Basil Spice is sure to become your new favourite spot. Check out their menu or book your table on their website.
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