In 1974, he went to the United Kingdom to study law but decided to pursue a degree in hospitality and management.

[3] In 1998, Ali launched Spice Business Magazine, a quarterly trade publication featuring articles in English and Bengali with information on the restaurant sector as well as community news.

[5] In 2012, the restaurant he founded, Le Raj, was selected as one of the official food suppliers of the 2012 London Summer Olympics.

Eaten by the million in Britain each week, with origins in the UK's native onion rings, the dish is symbolic of the unique British curry culture.

[1] In 2009, Ali was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)[18] in the 2009 New Year Honours for his services to the Indian and Bangladeshi restaurant industries.