Choudhury Takia Salama Bushrah, a proud Jamian from the 1999 Batch, has established herself as a successful entrepreneur in the United Kingdom. Inspired by an idea from her sister-in-law, Samiya Khan, during the COVID-19 lockdown, she embarked on a remarkable entrepreneurial journey that led to the creation of Cha and Nasta in St Albans.
Today, Cha and Nasta has earned an outstanding 4.7 star Google rating and 4.9 star TripAdvisor, with customers consistently praising its authentic flavours, freshly prepared food, warm hospitality and welcoming atmosphere. At the heart of its success is a commitment to serving dishes prepared with carefully selected ingredients, capturing the taste and warmth of a traditional Bangladeshi – particularly Sylheti – home. While remaining true to its roots, the restaurant also embraces creativity by thoughtfully blending traditional Sylheti cuisine with other authentic culinary influences, offering customers a unique and memorable dining experience.
Reflecting on her journey, Takia credits her success to the unwavering support of her family. She shares that her husband and his family, especially her mother-in-law, generously passed on the essential skills and treasured secrets of authentic home cooking, drawing on years of family knowledge and experience. She expresses heartfelt gratitude to her husband, mother-in-law and the entire family, emphasising that Cha and Nasta is not an individual achievement but a genuine family venture, with everyone playing an important role behind the scenes.
The family spirit extends to the next generation. Whenever possible, their children also help at the restaurant, learning the importance of responsibility, teamwork, customer service and the value of hard work in a supportive family environment. Through this hands-on experience, they are developing practical life skills, confidence and a strong work ethic that will benefit them throughout their lives, while also gaining an appreciation of entrepreneurship and the rewards of building something together as a family.
Takia is the daughter of our beloved retired teacher, Jonab Abdul Moyyed Choudhury, a respected educator who inspired generations of Jamians. Looking back on her journey, she reflects that the Islamic values, ethics, respect for parents and elders, the importance of family, and the spirit of sincerity, service and mutual care nurtured during her formative years at Shahjalal Jamia Islamia School and College have remained with her throughout life. These values, reinforced by the love, guidance and teamwork of her family, have helped shape not only a successful business but a truly family-centred enterprise built on trust, excellence and hospitality.
Her story is a wonderful example of how faith, education, family values and perseverance can transform a simple idea into a thriving enterprise that is admired by the local community. It also demonstrates that success is often built not by one individual alone, but through the collective support, sacrifice and dedication of an entire family. Choudhury Takia Salama Bushrah’s entrepreneurial journey is a source of pride for the Jamia family and an inspiration for Jamians around the world.
Visit Cha and Nasta at St Albans – 14 Hatfield Rd, St Albans AL1 3RP
