Mahirs Experience started as a small Indian deli on Birmingham’s Soho Road back in the 1970s and grew to boast a string of A-List clients including the Dalai Lama, Commonwealth Games athletes and Bollywood superstars.

From humble beginnings all those years ago selling Indian sweets and savouries in inner-city Birmingham, Mahirs Experience has mushroomed into a multi-million turnover business recognised today as one of the UK’s top catering and events companies.

The business’s Chief Executive Harvir Sahota revealed during an episode of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce’s ‘CEO Stories’ podcast some of the illustrious names to have used Mahirs’ services.

Harvir, who successfully scaled up the business founded by his father and uncle, was discussing his career highlights during the podcast, hosted by GBCC chief executive Henrietta Brealey.

‘CEO Stories’ delves into the careers of some of the West Midlands’ leading and up-and-coming business leaders.

Previous guests have included former NEC Group boss Paul Thandi, ex-Birmingham City Council chief executive Deborah Cadman, Wesleyan group CEO Mario Mazzocchi, Nonsensical TikTok agency founder Oli Hills and Birmingham Royal Ballet chief executive Caroline Miller.

When asked by host Henrietta about standout moments from his career to date, Harvir said: “Each time we do a successful job and the effect it has and the recognition we get from our clientele – those are definitely the highlights.

Catering for the athletes’ village at the Birmingham Commonwealth games is a massive one – we delivered more than 100,000 meals over a 10 to 14 day period. That was quite a defining period and we were actually awarded their Supplier of the Games, which was unexpected.

Also near the top of the list is providing our services for his holiness, the Dalai Lama, and renowned singer-songwriters Diljit Dosanjh, Satinder Sartaaj, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Atif Aslam. That is one hell of a five-a-side team, if there ever was one!”

When asked who he would most like to cater for at a dinner party, the lifelong Liverpool FC supporter put the club’s departing manager Jürgen Klopp firmly at the top of his list.

Being a Liverpool season ticket holder Harvir said: “In a bittersweet way, it would have to be the current Liverpool manager, Jürgen Klopp and his leaving party. Jürgen is an inspirational leader for me and all I’m going to say is we’re going to miss him when he leaves.”

Harvir opened up about a range of topics including the growth of the business, his progression into the CEO role, the entrepreneurs who have inspired him throughout his career and his top piece of advice for aspiring business leaders.

CEO Stories is a monthly podcast from the Chamber, available to listen to on all major listening apps including Spotify and Apple Podcasts.