Imad Alarnab is a Syrian chef, entrepreneur and refugee who ran three successful restaurants, several juice bars and cafes in Damascus.

In the war, Imad's businesses were destroyed and he was forced to flee the country in search of safety. Making his way from Lebanon through Europe, Imad shared his skills cooking for other refugees, up to 400 at a time.

Imad arrived in London in 2015 and eventually his family was able to join him. Putting aside his passion for food, Imad worked a number of jobs, including as a car salesman in his early days in London. With the help of some good friends, Imad burst onto the London restaurant scene four years ago with a series of charity events which became hugely popular. Supper clubs sold out within hours and hungry workers waited patiently in long queues for take-away lunches at pop-ups.

Imad’s Syrian Kitchen opened in Kingly Court in Soho, London in early 2020. After three and half years in our old home we moved into a new home in the summer of 2023. Still in Kingly Court the new space gave Imad chance to show his full vision.

Aram is the next chapter of that journey. More than a restaurant, it is a space for collaboration and cultural exchange. Alongside daily service, Imad plans to use aram as a platform for charity events, to support and elevate emerging chefs — particularly those from refugee backgrounds — and to showcase Middle Eastern art, music, and cuisine. Everything we do is guided by the same belief: that food has the power to connect people, honor culture, and create moments of shared humanity.