There is a particular kind of energy that hums through Borough Market on a busy Saturday. The clatter of crates, the sizzle of grills, the constant, restless tide of people moving from stall to stall. And there, on the edge of it all, two of London's most exciting restaurants sit just across the road from one another. Oudh 1722 on one side. Heard on the other. For months, they have watched each other from a distance. Now, they are finally cooking together.
On 10 September, Heard, the burger restaurant from two Michelin-starred chef Jordan Bailey, will join forces with Aktar Islam, the chef behind Birmingham's two-Michelin-starred Opheem and newly opened Oudh 1722, for a limited-edition menu that brings contemporary Indian flavours to Heard for the first time. Following the success of its debut collaboration with Aji Akokomi of Akoko earlier this year, the pair will come together on a new burger, fries and dessert, available across Heard's Borough and Soho restaurants until 11th October.
At the heart of the collaboration is The Pataka, a new burger named after the Hindi word for firecracker. It layers a marinated double beef smash patty with Ogleshield cheese, curried onions, spiced tamarind chutney, onion bhaji, tomato salsa and smoked aubergine yoghurt. It is, on paper, a lot. In the mouth, it sounds like something rather special. Alongside it, Chatpata Fries are seasoned with chilli and green mango and served with fresh mint chutney for dipping. To finish, a Shrikhand Lolly takes inspiration from the traditional Gujarati dessert, combining fragrant cardamom-spiced strained yoghurt with Kesar and Alphonso mango.
As with Heard's core menu, the collaboration comes with drinks pairings from Bailey's wife and sommelier Majken Bech-Bailey, including a Gewürztraminer Réserve from Cave de Hunawihr in Alsace and Five Points Brewery's XPA Extra Pale Ale. A special Lime Pickle G&T features Goan-distilled Stranger & Sons Gin infused with lime pickle and coriander, blended with agave, orange peel tincture and pink pepper distillate, then topped with tonic and finished with fresh coriander.
Of the collaboration, Islam says, "I'm really excited to be working with Jordan. He's a chef I've known for many years and someone I genuinely admire. Every time I walk into Oudh, I look across and see Heard next door, and having eaten there myself, I know how good the burgers are. Burgers are one of those foods that transcend trends and cultural shifts, so to develop something unique for London diners at Heard is really special. It's a true one-off – I've never done a burger before, and I'll probably never do one again."
Bailey adds, "For me, this collaboration was a no-brainer. Aktar's restaurant is literally across the road from Heard in Borough, and I've known and looked up to him for many years, so it's a privilege to be working together on this. I love what he's created using flavours rooted in Indian cooking, which aren't what I'd typically bring into the Heard menu."
The Heard x Aktar Islam collaboration will be available for one month from 10th September to 11th October at Heard's Borough and Soho restaurants. The limited-edition Pataka burger is priced at £16, with a vegetarian version available featuring double spiced black bean and wild mushroom patties. Chatpata Fries are £6.50 and the Shrikhand Lolly is £8.
It is the kind of collaboration that makes London dining feel alive. Two chefs, each at the top of their game, stepping out of their respective lanes to create something neither would do alone. And the best part? You do not need a reservation at a two-Michelin-starred restaurant to try it. You just need to show up, order a burger, and watch the sparks fly.
We're sure we'll see you there.