A Nottingham chef has launched a new restaurant on Mansfield Road after taking a year out of work to care for his daughter, who was born with a serious heart condition.
Amar Khan, 42, opened Cuckoo’s earlier this year, saying the break from the food industry reshaped how he approaches his work and strengthened his commitment to quality.
“It was a hard time,” he said. “You think differently after something like that. But the mentality and standards have always been there.”
Mr Khan, who has cooked since the age of eight, says he wants to offer fresh, affordable food at a time when many restaurants are relying on cheaper ingredients to stay open.
“Everyone’s cutting corners”, he said. “I want to prove you can do it properly and still keep prices fair.”
At Cuckoo’s, everything from marinades to croutons and chips are made from scratch each day. The restaurant also aims to provide what Mr Khan calls “healthier fast food” — meals made quickly but with higher-quality oils and produce.
Inside, the setup is small and simple. The wooden tables were handmade by a local carpenter and varnished by Amar himself. He says the business has been planned carefully over nearly two years, with profits reinvested to maintain quality.
He admits it’s a difficult time to run an independent restaurant in Nottingham, where rising food costs and tight budgets have hit both businesses and customers.
“Nottingham’s a poor area,” he said. “I’m not here to burn a hole in people’s pockets — I’m here to make them happy.”
Cuckoo’s currently employs a small team, including kitchen worker Steve, who Mr Khan describes as “a true grafter.” Staff are trained to prepare everything fresh each day and follow strict hygiene standards.
For now, Amar’s focus is on consistency and earning the trust of local customers before considering any expansion.
“I’ve been in this game a long time,” he said. “You’ve got to build it properly, one plate at a time.”
Cuckoo’s is located at 177 Mansfield Road, Nottingham.