Based in Wallington, Bombay Pizza began as a small takeaway and has since exploded in popularity.
And if you thought pizza and curry were a strange combination, Anisa is here to prove you wrong.
“I’m Anisa, and Bombay Pizza started as a small takeaway,” reads her heartfelt message on the business’s website.
“Since then, it’s grown beyond my expectations, with demand from across the UK – especially after I was seen on The Apprentice.”
That demand led Khan to launch Bombay Pizza By Post, a mail-order service delivering her signature fusion pizzas to homes nationwide.
Each 12-inch pizza arrives ready to heat, topped with ingredients like chilli paneer, lamb keema, and butter chicken, all crafted with inspiration from over 50 years of family culinary heritage.
Anisa made it all the way to the final of this year’s Apprentice, where she went head-to-head with winner Dean Franklin in a televised showdown at London’s historic Lincoln’s Inn.
For the final task, both candidates were challenged to develop a brand, shoot a commercial, and pitch their new business to Lord Sugar and a panel of industry experts.
Anisa pitched a new venture called Zaal Pizza – a play on the Hindi word for “spicy” – offering people the chance to satisfy cravings for both pizza and curry in one go.
Her advert, shot at a football ground, featured fictional fans of India and Italy coming together over a slice.
Even Lord Sugar was won over after taking a bite.
“Oh blimey, yes, this is very good,” he said.
@sliceofanisaa 1 month since The Apprentice. No investment, but we hit 6 figures, grew from 3 to 17 staff, and have been having been shipping boxes nationwide. This journey’s only just begun. Thank you for believing in Bombay Pizza. #TheApprentice #anisa #SmallBusiness #Entrepreneur #bombaypizza #Pizza #update ♬ original sound – Anisa Khan
But despite the glowing praise, Lord Sugar expressed doubts about Anisa’s “dark kitchen” model, which operates without a storefront.
Industry expert Thom Elliot, co-founder of Pizza Pilgrims, voiced concern over brand-building in such a setup – but added that Khan’s concept was “really unique” and “a massive plus in a crowded market.”
In the end, it was Franklin who clinched the £250,000 investment.
Back at her Wallington HQ, Anisa is focused on serving her growing community of fusion food fans.
The menu at Akash x Bombay Pizza, located on Stafford Road, reads like a greatest hits of South Asian comfort food – on dough.
The CTM, the shop’s best-seller, is loaded with smoky chicken tikka in a creamy masala sauce, finished with mozzarella and coriander (£14.95).
Vegetarians are spoiled with options like the Chilli Paneer—a spicy, satisfying mix of sautéed paneer, chillies and peppers on a masala base (£14.95).
Meat lovers can tackle the Bombay Meat Feast, topped with halal pepperoni, sausage, keema and heat (£15.95).
Though she missed out on Lord Sugar’s investment, Anisa has built something arguably more valuable – brand loyalty.
With a national customer base, a growing menu, and post-Apprentice buzz, the next phase of Bombay Pizza is already cooking.
In her own words: “I’m so grateful for your support and hope you love it as much as I do. Thank you for being part of this journey.”
