It is 20 years since a close-knit group of brothers and cousins from Bradford first opened British Asian inspired restaurant MyLahore.

What began as a relaxed, family-run eatery on Great Horton Road has now become a popular chain found in five cities and counting across the UK.

Inspired by traditional British dishes, school dinner desserts and Pakistani spices, the menu remains a symbol of the family’s culinary and ancestral journey across the continent to Bradford.

Since opening, the restaurant has welcomed royals and celebrities through its doors and won several prestigious awards.

Director Ishfaq Farooq told the Telegraph & Argus: “20 years is a great achievement.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: MyLahore's flagship store, pictured.MyLahore's flagship store, pictured.

“Even though MyLahore started in 2002, the journey started four, five decades ago when our fathers came to the country in the 60s. They came to earn just a bit of money and go back home.”

Carrying five pounds in their pocket, Farman Ali and Mohammed Farooq arrived in Yorkshire in 1964.

After years working in the mills and on buses, the pair transformed their savings into a sweet shop and, later, a restaurant.

Their children - Ishfaq, Shakoor Ahmed, Asghar Ali, Mohammad Mahroof, Ghafoor Farooq and Masood Farooq - would go on to create MyLahore.

“We were always brothers just working together,” Ishfaq said.

“Our sister in law used to make the food from home and we used to take it to the restaurant to sell it. We were just trying to earn a living and just being ourselves.

“We were all young, fresh thinking minds and that’s where we created the culture of the British Asian kitchen.

“We would never have thought we would come this far and it’s all thanks to the all mighty who blessed us with this.

"We came from a poor background in terms of when we were young we didn’t have the money to go to the shop and buy chocolate, toys or even have school dinners.”

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Duke and Duchess of Cambridge made milkshakes at MyLahore during the royal visit to Bradford. (PA)Duke and Duchess of Cambridge made milkshakes at MyLahore during the royal visit to Bradford. (PA)

But it’s not just about Shepherd’s Pie with an Asian twist and samosas for MyLahore, as Ishfaq reveals the brand’s future plans.

The next steps for MyLahore include making all restaurants completely green, opening a new restaurant in Blackburn and continuing its charity and community work.

Describing Bradford’s entrepreneurial spirit, he said: “There’s so many entrepreneurs, it’s in the water. Bradford has got so many great businesses, people, entrepreneurs.

"There’s so much potential and so much young talent. Everybody wants to make a difference.”