Ajay Kumar, renowned chef and former contestant on the BBC cooking show Great British Menu, has been forced to close his restaurant. A "difficult decision" for Ajay and his team, the TV star has announced the closure of Grilled by Ajay Kumar, which served Indian barbecue in Glasgow.

"After an unforgettable journey, we have made the difficult decision to close Grilled, which is now permanently no longer trading," read a statement published on the restaurant's website.

​"From the bottom of our hearts, thank you to every guest who dined with us, celebrated special moments, and supported us over the years. Your loyalty and encouragement have meant the world to our team, and we are truly grateful to have shared so many wonderful memories with you."

The statement concluded, "Thank you once again for being part of Grilled's story. We hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you to Swadish soon."

While Ajay has been forced to close Grilled, which opened in 2025, the chef will continue to run Swadish, his award-winning fine dining Indian restaurant, also in Glasgow.

"Much of the inspiration behind our cooking comes from the simple yet elegant techniques of my grandmother's kitchen," Ajay reveals on Swadish's website.

"We draw inspiration from both Indian and British cultures, allowing them to complement one another naturally while respecting the originality of each. Swadish is not simply a restaurant. It is a reflection of my way of thinking, my respect for India's time-tested culinary heritage, and my passion for sharing it in a modern and meaningful way."

Born in Punjab, India, Ajay spent hours learning in the kitchens of Master Chefs in India, Malaysia and Singapore, before moving to Scotland in 2009. According to the BBC, he's won 2 AA Rosettes, Best Fine Dining Restaurant in the Indian Cuisine Awards, Best in Scotland at the British Curry Awards and Outstanding Indian Restaurant of the Year at the Scottish Curry Awards 2023, as well as a gong for Scottish Curry Champion. Adding to his impressive repertoire, Ajay appeared on Great British Menu in 2024, becoming a finalist in the competition.