For the Love of Food

Anika Ahmed is a young entrepreneur who has entered the restaurant business recently, and has already reached great heights with The Glasshouse Brasserie. 

The Glasshouse Brasserie opened its doors for customers on 15th September 2013. They serve Continental and Thai cuisine. "I had been nurturing the idea of opening a cafe for a long time. At that time, Dhaka did not have any cafes but I was busy with my studies, so that idea never saw the light of day. In 2013 the place where The Glasshouse is now became vacant. That is when I put serious thought on setting up a restaurant," says Anika.

Anika did her schooling in South Breeze School and Scholastica (O Levels). She completed her BBA and MBA from Independent University Bangladesh (IUB), majoring in Marketing and minor in Management. "I started my business career with a designer store called Ogaan Signature Collection in 2004 with my friend, Kaniz Afroze Shumee. We are still running it quite successfully. It was something we started as a part-time career since we were both full-time homemakers," says Anika. She and her husband are both self-proclaimed foodies, who like to taste different cuisines. "I guess our love for food guided us to open this restaurant." Following her mother's footsteps, Anika says, "My mother was an entrepreneur too. She started her handicraft business in 1978 and had long, successful career." 

The Glasshouse Brassiere is now becoming the talk of the town amongst young people. It is the perfect place for anyone wanting to hang out with friends or family, for quality time spent over great food in a comfortable ambience. "We also have corporate professionals coming in for business lunches or meetings."

Anika plans to work hard to make The Glasshouse Brasserie one of the best restaurants in Dhaka city. "For this, my team and I are continuously researching and trying out dishes which taste great and look good too. We take customer feedback very seriously and try to make changes to please them," she says. Considering that the food industry is extremely competitive now, Anika hopes to make her place among the top by providing excellent food and great service. "People have different tastes and the food business is very sensitive because what might appeal to one person may not be so tasty to another," she says. According to her, the only way to survive in this industry is by offering good food, personalised service, and by maintaining good hygiene standards in the restaurant.

At the moment, Anika has her hands full not only with the booming popularity of her restaurant and boutique, but also with her husband and children. "I am just concentrating on the present now and hoping the future will be more positive and successful."