Renowned former international cricketer and Head Coach of the Indian cricket team, Gautam Gambhir, dined at Japanese restaurant Yakinori in Birmingham city centre.
Gambhir dropped into the independent eatery in New Street, Birmingham, on Wednesday June 25, surprising delighted staff. The 43-year-old then posed for photos with the team.
It comes ahead of the high profile England v India five-day Men’s Test Match at Edgbaston, which starts in less than a week’s time on Wednesday July 2.
Yakinori is a Birmingham success story, family-owned and run by Managing Director Ali Karakaya.
It serves a range of food from noodles and sushi to bento, salads and poke bowls for those who want to eat in, grab a lunch on the go or order for corporate events.
Yakinori boss Ali Karakaya called it an “honour”. “We were thrilled to welcome legendary cricketer Gautam Gambhir to our Yakinori New Street branch.
“We are an independent local Japanese restaurant, so it was a real pleasure to have him with us.
“We’re proud to serve the flavours of Japan right here in the heart of Birmingham. We want to thank Gautam for coming to an independent to try our amazing food.”
The batsman, who is the former captain of Kolkata Knight Riders, is down in the cricketing history books for being the only Indian batsman to have scored more than 300 runs in four consecutive Test series. He was part of the Indian Cricket Team that won the 2007 World Twenty20 and the 2011 Cricket World Cup.
Yakinori – which means roasted seaweed – is well known for handing out free samples outside its store on most days of the week.
It is also popular with businesses across the city centre and further afield for providing catering for corporate events along with alternative team-building sessions like sushi-making in its Sushi School.
The fun sessions involve colleagues following instructions by a Sushi master.
Yakinori is at 67 New Street, Birmingham, B2 4DU. For information on corporate catering, organising sushi school team events and more email: newstreet@yakinori.co.uk