Patak's

Patak’s is a British brand specializing in Indian-style curry pastes, cooking sauces, spices, chutneys, and pickles. Renowned for making authentic Indian cuisine accessible to home cooks, the brand has become one of the most recognized names in Indian food products worldwide.

What sets Patak’s apart is its ability to transform the complexity of traditional Indian cooking—known for its intricate use of spices and elaborate preparation methods—into convenient, easy-to-use products without compromising the authentic flavors, aromas, and character of Indian cuisine.

 

The Beginning of Patak’s

The story of Patak’s begins with Laxmishanker Govindji Pathak, commonly known as L.G. Pathak, a Gujarati Indian born in the state of Gujarat, India. In 1956, he immigrated to London with his wife, Shanta, and their six children. Their possessions amounted to little more than £5 and a life insurance policy.

At the time, many South Asian immigrants in the United Kingdom faced significant challenges, including finding stable employment, establishing financial security, adapting to a new culture and language, and overcoming racial discrimination that was still prevalent in British society.

Despite his efforts, L.G. Pathak struggled to find secure employment and eventually worked in a dairy processing plant, taking on cleaning and general labor jobs to support his family.

 

A Family Business Born in a Small Kitchen

A turning point came when Shanta noticed that the growing Indian and South Asian community in London had very limited access to foods and ingredients from their homeland. Many immigrants longed for the familiar flavors of home.

To address this need, she began preparing traditional Indian snacks and condiments, including samosas and chutneys, using family recipes passed down through generations. These products were made in the small kitchen of their apartment in Kentish Town.

L.G. Pathak then sold the products throughout London to Indian communities, students, and South Asian immigrants. Thanks to their authentic taste and high quality, demand grew rapidly through word-of-mouth recommendations.

As demand continued to increase, the Pathak family invested their savings to open a small grocery store on Drummond Street, near Euston Station, in 1958. The shop sold Indian groceries, spices, vegetables, sweets, and ready-to-eat meals, serving both the growing South Asian community and adventurous British consumers interested in new culinary experiences.

 

Solving the Problem of Preserving Indian Flavors

Although the family business was thriving, importing Indian ingredients to Britain during the 1950s and 1960s presented significant challenges.

At the time, goods from India traveled by sea, often taking several weeks to arrive. Fresh ingredients frequently deteriorated during transit, while ground spices—the heart of Indian cuisine—often lost their aroma and flavor after prolonged storage.

To solve this problem, the Pathak family began experimenting with methods of preserving spices. They blended various spices and herbs, then cooked them gently in vegetable oil. This process reduced exposure to air, preserved the natural essential oils of the spices, and significantly extended shelf life while maintaining flavor and intensity.

This innovation became the foundation of the modern curry paste industry. It made Indian cooking easier and more convenient for both households and restaurants, particularly the rapidly growing number of Indian restaurants across the United Kingdom.

 

From “Pathak” to “Patak’s”

Around the same time, L.G. Pathak made a strategic branding decision. He simplified the family name from “Pathak” to “Patak’s”, removing the letter “h” to make the name easier for British consumers to pronounce and remember.

 

Kirit and Meena Pathak Lead Global Expansion

While L.G. Pathak laid the foundations of the family business, the individual most responsible for transforming Patak’s into an international brand was his son, Kirit Pathak.

Having grown up in the family business, Kirit gained firsthand experience from an early age, helping with everything from folding packaging boxes and preparing products to delivering orders. This deep understanding of the business enabled him to lead the company with confidence when he assumed a management role.

Kirit recognized that Indian cuisine had the potential to appeal far beyond the South Asian community. As Western consumers became increasingly interested in international foods and flavors, he saw an opportunity to introduce Indian cuisine to a much broader audience.

Another key figure in Patak’s success was Meena Pathak, Kirit’s wife. With her expertise in Indian cooking and recipe development, she played a crucial role in creating many of the brand’s products, particularly its ready-to-use cooking sauces.

Understanding that many British consumers were unfamiliar with the intensity and spiciness of traditional Indian cuisine, Meena carefully adjusted spice blends and flavor profiles while maintaining the essence of authentic Indian cooking.

Her work led to the development of some of Patak’s most iconic products, including:

• Tikka Masala Sauce
• Korma Sauce
• Rogan Josh Sauce

These products would eventually become cornerstones of the brand’s success.

 

Becoming a Leading Indian Food Brand

The success of these products transformed Patak’s from a small family business into one of the United Kingdom’s leading producers of Indian foods.

To meet growing demand, the company expanded production and established a larger manufacturing facility in Leigh, Lancashire.

Thanks to consistent product quality and a commitment to innovation, Patak’s quickly expanded beyond the UK market. The brand’s products began reaching consumers across North America, Europe, Australia, the Middle East, and Asia, making Patak’s one of the most internationally recognized Indian food brands.

 

Acquisition by Associated British Foods

A major milestone in the company’s history occurred in 2007 when the Pathak family sold the business to Associated British Foods (ABF), a global food and retail conglomerate that also owns well-known brands such as Twinings and Primark.

The acquisition was considered one of the most significant deals in the British food industry and reflected the tremendous value the Pathak family had built over several decades.

Even after the sale, Kirit and Meena Pathak remained involved as advisors, helping ensure that the brand maintained the quality, standards, and authentic flavors that consumers had come to expect.

Today, Patak’s products are available in virtually every major supermarket across the United Kingdom. Among its most popular offerings are:

• Tikka Masala Sauce, known for its rich, aromatic flavor
• Korma Paste, celebrated for its mild spices and coconut notes
• Madras Curry Paste, featuring the bold heat of South Indian cuisine
• Tandoori Paste, ideal for marinating meats
• Mango Chutney, one of the brand’s most iconic and enduring products

In addition to its traditional product lines, Patak’s has adapted to modern consumer preferences by expanding into ready meals, frozen foods, and plant-based products designed for vegetarian and vegan consumers.

This evolution demonstrates the brand’s ability to preserve the culinary heritage of India while continuously innovating to meet the changing demands of global consumers.

 

From Immigrant Dream to Global Success

From humble beginnings as a small family enterprise founded by immigrants who arrived in Britain with only a few pounds to their name, Patak’s has grown into one of the world’s most respected Indian food brands.

Its story is not only one of business success but also a testament to perseverance, adaptation, entrepreneurship, and the preservation of Indian culinary traditions. Through its products, Patak’s continues to introduce the rich flavors and cultural heritage of India to millions of people around the world.