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Binod Baral, (born on 27th April 1979) is a London based chef, food & restaurant consultant, entrepreneur and philanthropist. With about 2 decades of culinary experience, Binod Baral has travelled across the globe, researching on various cultural and traditional aspects of foods worldwide. He now co-owns three high street restaurants in London and is a founder of Asian Culinary Academy, London. Binod was born in the city of Pokhara in Nepal and his ideology is to spread his love for healthy food, cooked with love.

Binod is not only fond of cooking food himself but loves dinning out and trying out new dishes and indulging in new experience. Be it a cocktail or a giant noodle soup bowl challenge or driving a race car, Binod is all about new challenges and experiences. He showcases his adventurous nature in his signature dishes as well. His cooking style boasts highly of indigenous food with a contemporary touch.

Binod has served as Group Executive Head Chef (February 2003 to October 2008) for the The Bombay Bicycle Club—Britain's largest Indian restaurant chain. Binod worked under the leadership of Sarah Willingham, the then owner of the Bombay Bicycle Club.

Early life
Binod Baral was born in Pokhara in Nepal, a popular touristic destination known for its beautiful nature. Surrounded by greenery and a maternal family that loved to cook, Binod grew up in a healthy and happy environment. Binod’s maternal family runs successful hotels in Nepal, the oldest one was established about 40 years ago. As a child, Binod was subconsciously influenced by the hustle of the travellers in his family-run hotels and was fascinated by the satisfaction seen in the eyes of the visitors, post a good meal.

However, for Binod who was a bright student, he had set his aim at becoming a doctor. His life changed when he did not clear the medical entrance exam which got him into thinking of an alternate career. This tiny set-back in Binod’s life changed his life for the better! Binod then chose to become a restauranteur and set up his own hotel in Nepal in the year 1995.

Education
Binod studied in Pokhara’s Soldier’s Board High School (now renamed as Amar Singh High School). As a young student, he was curious and bright. He stood out in his tests and indulged himself in routine sports activities too. After finishing his schooling, he started preparing for a medical entrance exam which he failed. He then, entered Brunel University (London) in the year 2009. He did degree in entrepreneurship and small business operations. In 2010, he was certified in food science, health and safety from Heriot-Watt University (London).

Personal Life
Binod is married to Niru Baral and has two kids. His family lives in London and his wife herself is also an entrepreneur, currently managing the restaurants co-owned by Binod Baral. Binod is highly family oriented and loves spending as much time as possible with his kids. He does every bit possible to take time off his regular hustle to be there with his kids and wife. As a family, they like taking trips together and of course, dinning out as frequently as possible. Binod’s favourite food is the Nepalese dumplings called “momos”.

He has been listed by the Academic Dictionaries and encyclopedias as Popular Baral-inclusive Names.

Career
Hailing from a family that was solely into tourism and hospitality for a couple of decades, becoming a hotelier seemed natural for Binod. He opened his own restaurant in Nepal in the year 1995. From there on, he has constantly innovated with the flavours and fragrances of cooking. He constantly strives to innovate and add freshness to the regular dishes served in the Indian and Nepalese cuisine. Considering that he grew up in a city surrounded by lakes, his signature dish is a grilled king prawns dish called “Piro-Piro”. In general, Binod enjoys preparing seafood the most.

Over the years, Binod moved to London and has served as a head-chef at the likes of Pronto and The Bombay Bicycle Club. Pronto was based on the concept of delivering food to London within 20 minutes.

Binod credits his boss at The Bombay Bicycle Club, Sarah Louise Willingham, for inciting the entrepreneur in him. While Binod was at The Bombay Bicycle Club, the Indian chain grew into Britain’s largest Indian chain restaurant.

While at Do & Co, Binod travelled across the globe, researching and delivering world class food for top events such as: He also catered for some of the biggest airlines and airline lounges.
 * Formula 1 International Grand Prix (Paddock Club), Worldwide
 * Chelsea and Tatton Flower Show ( VIP Hospitality Village), UK
 * UEFA European Football Championship 2012 (VIP Hospitality Village)
 * UEFA Champions League Final
 * Madrid ATP (Hospitality Village)
 * Farnborough Airshows (Qatar Airways VIP Chalet)
 * USA Master (Rolex VIP Hospitality), Augusta ,USA
 * Euro Cup
 * Beach Volley Ball Word Tour

Currently, he is a chef consultant for Stella McCartney HQ and co-owns three popular Asian restaurants in London: Zumbura, Momo and Roti and Rara-Kew.

He has also been appointed as Head of Food, Research and New Product Development Department for Nepal Food.

Entrepreneur
Asian Culinary Academy  Founded in January 2018, the goal of the Asian Culinary Academy is to bridge the gap between the demand of Asian chefs and its shortage in the UK. It focuses on imparting knowledge and transferring skills to the second generation British-Asians while encouraging them to innovate in the art of cooking. It aims at producing more chefs who can cater to a global audience rather than just an audience at home-base.

Gorkha Cooperative Investment Limited  Earlier this year in 2018, Binod established a start-up to help and aid young entrepreneurs with various business potentials. He believes in being your own boss and loves innovation in every field. As a result, he provides financial support to able business ideas, especially within the south-east Asian communities in London.