A YOUNG entrepreneur sampled 1,200 burgers during a 12-month quest to ensure the beef on offer at a new American-themed diner is the best in Bolton.

Aged only 24, Umar Mukhtar has spent £200,000 bringing a slice of Hollywood to Halliwell Road in the form of the Rodeo Drive Diner - due to open in the coming days.

Having studied law at university, he planned to pursue a career in the legal trade before a trip to Dubai convinced him to follow his dream of opening his own burger restaurant.

He explained: “It all started when I went on holiday to Dubai a year ago. One of the hotel workers told me about a part of the city that was full of lots of American restaurants.

“I decided to have a look and I was blown away. Here I was, in the Middle East, and there was a whole area within the city open 24/7 that looked just like America.

“I decided then that I wanted to bring a piece of LA to Bolton. That was my vision.”

Determined to formulate the perfect menu, Umar began a year-long fact-finding mission that would be the envy of all keen carnivores.

“Since I started researching, I estimate that I’ve eaten around 1,200 burgers. I’ve travelled all over the UK to different restaurants to make sure I got mine right.”

With an emphasis on supporting local businesses, Rodeo Drive Diner will ensure all ingredients are sourced locally.

Meat will be bought fresh each morning and made into patties during the day by head chef, Saswan Muhammed.

Potatoes are to be sourced locally and hand-cut on site, and the restaurant also supports local workers, with 14 members of staff all drawn from the surround area under the stewardship of Restaurant manager, Eamon Abbas.

Rodeo Drive Diner also used Bolton’s PD Catering to kit out the restaurant, including what Umar describes as the ‘Rolls Royce’ of all grills – a £12,000 unit that ensures their burgers are done to perfection.

Elsewhere, a bar glimmering with a 120 LED lights serves a large range of mocktails, while freshly made pancakes and milkshakes cater for those with a sweet tooth.

Umar says his family can’t quite believe what he’s achieved in the past 12 months.

“They came to see the restaurant before we opened and my elder sister, Kaseela, was actually in tears. They’re very proud at what I’ve done.”

For more details on when you can sample their menu, see facebook.com/RodeoDriveDiner