(May 12, 2025) Anisa Khan may have grown up in South London, but her success story is steeped in Indian flavours, familial pride, and entrepreneurial grit. At just 26, she has taken her Indian-inspired pizza brand, Bombay Pizza, to cult status in the UK while capturing the hearts of millions as the runner-up on the 19th season of The Apprentice (UK), Britain’s high-stakes business reality show hosted by billionaire tycoon Lord Alan Sugar.
The 2025 season premiered on 30 January on BBC One and concluded on 17 April, with 11 gruelling weeks of boardroom battles. In the grand finale, Anisa faced off against fellow contestant, founder of an air-conditioner business Dean Franklin in a rebranding and pitching challenge that pushed both to their creative limits. Although Lord Sugar awarded the £250,000 investment to Dean, it was Anisa who emerged as the public favourite, thanks to her authentic story, calm leadership, and a business rooted in aromatic Indian flavours.
“This isn’t just a big moment for me,” she reflected. “It’s a big moment for my family and my community. Growing up, I never saw people who looked like me in business, so to be here now, building something of my own, means more than I can put into words. I hope I’ve made them proud. And I hope watching me has given someone else the confidence to chase a dream they thought was out of reach.”
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An LSE graduate with a Kabaddi kick
Anisa’s academic credentials are as solid as her pizza dough. She graduated from the London School of Economics (LSE), where she studied Economic Development and discovered an unlikely passion of kabaddi. Not only did she represent the university, but she also went on to play for the England national kabaddi team.
“My favourite memories from LSE are of the people, societies, and sports. Discovering kabaddi and playing at national level was incredible,” she remarked.
During the pandemic, with the joining date of her job as a tech consultant at Accenture deferred, the youngster who had always been interested in business found herself at a crossroads. “I had a guaranteed job at a tech consulting company, but my start date got delayed due to COVID-19. That gave me the chance to pursue my passion, so I started Bombay Pizza.” Her culinary venture was inspired by her Indian roots and love for innovation in the kitchen. What began as a modest dark kitchen in Sutton serving fusion pizzas quickly gained traction for its inventive menu and cultural authenticity.
Anisa Khan
When masala meets mozzarella
Anisa’s brand revolves around the idea to bring together two beloved cuisines, Indian and Italian. The Bombay Pizza menu is a tribute to desi classics served with a twist. Whether it’s the Chicken Tikka Masala (CTM) pizza, the Khan’s Keema Special, or the vegan Bombay Brinjal topped with roasted aubergine and masala spices, each pie tells a story of flavour and identity.
“I saw a gap in the market for South Asian fusion pizzas,” she said. “What began as an idea quickly grew into a real business, and I’ve never looked back.”
There’s also a side menu for the bold-hearted like chilli paneer slices, fiery Bombay fries, and cheesy garlic coriander bites.
What truly catapulted Bombay Pizza into national fame, however, was its feature on The Apprentice. “Being on The Apprentice has been a childhood dream. What makes it even more special is that I’ve brought my own business, Bombay Pizza into the spotlight. When I first started it, I never imagined it would take me all the way to the final. I’m so excited for what’s next,” the excited entrepreneur remarked.
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From TV fame to viral demand
In the final challenge on the show, Anisa created a chickpea-based pizza with a dal sauce under a new brand name, Zaal Pizza, showcasing her ability to innovate within her niche. While she didn’t secure Lord Sugar’s backing, the exposure proved priceless.
Once the finale aired, Bombay Pizza saw demand skyrocket. Fans queued around the block outside the Wallington outlet. People travelled from distant towns just for a slice.
“We had queues coming out of my takeaway restaurant. It’s amazing. It’s nice that I’ve had an impact on so many people,” she remarked excitedly.
Overwhelmed but grateful, Anisa and her small team temporarily paused online orders to maintain quality. She even returned to the kitchen herself, helping manage a backlog of over 500 orders.
“We hand make every pizza fresh, pack them chilled, and ship them straight to your door.The fact that we’re now completely sold out for the next three months blows my mind,” she recently posted on social media.
It’s this hands-on approach and heartfelt transparency that earned her loyal fans. Social media posts from Bombay Pizza were flooded with love. “Best pizza of my life,” wrote one fan. Another said, “It’s on my bucket list now.”
Anisa at The Apprentice finale
Desi resilience in the boardroom
The Apprentice, with its intense pace and high-pressure tasks, is notorious for testing participants. Each week, candidates pitch products, manage teams, and face boardroom eliminations by Lord Sugar, known for his blunt verdicts and billion-pound business acumen.
“The biggest challenge on The Apprentice is the time limits,” Anisa said. “You’re expected to start a whole new business from scratch and pitch it to clients, all within a day. It’s intense.”
Despite the cutthroat competition, she never lost her calm or sense of self.
“This process has been incredibly difficult. I stayed motivated, remained confident, and never lost sight of who I am or what I came here to do.”
Her journey resonated deeply with viewers, especially young South Asians in the UK and abroad who rarely see someone with their heritage lead from the front on mainstream British television.
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Building a national brand in the UK, one slice at a time
Anisa plans to expand through a network of kitchens in high-demand UK cities. “This will allow me to grow the business strategically, introduce our innovative menu to more customers, and build towards establishing a nationally recognised brand,” she shared.
From pizza boxes to business blueprints, her focus is razor sharp. And although she may not have walked away with Lord Sugar’s cheque, she’s secured something perhaps more lasting, and that is national goodwill, media buzz, and a product that’s sold out for months.
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