Chef Zakir Qureshi, also known as Chef Zakir, is a renowned Pakistani chef and television personality who has earned a significant reputation in the culinary world for his expertise in Pakistani and international cuisine. Born on February 16, 1967, in Karachi, Pakistan, Chef Zakir is the youngest of his eight siblings. He was raised in a large family, and his love for cooking was cultivated at a young age by his mother, who was an accomplished cook.
Chef Zakir attended St. Patrick’s College in Karachi, where he completed his intermediate education. After completing his education, he worked in various fields, including the airline industry and the textile industry, but his passion for cooking never wavered. He continued to explore and experiment with different cuisines in his free time.
Chef Zakir’s professional culinary journey began when he enrolled in a cooking course at the Singapore Hotel and Tourism School in 1986. He then moved to London, where he worked as a chef at several prominent restaurants, including the prestigious Sheraton Park Tower Hotel. During his time in London, he had the opportunity to work with some of the most talented chefs in the world, which further honed his culinary skills and broadened his horizons.
After returning to Pakistan in the early 1990s, Chef Zakir worked as the head chef at the Sheraton Karachi Hotel. In 1992, he joined the Dawn News television channel as a cooking show host. He hosted a show called “Zakir’s Kitchen,” which quickly gained immense popularity due to his engaging personality, vast culinary knowledge, and his unique style of presenting recipes. The show aired for over two decades and made Chef Zakir a household name in Pakistan and beyond.
Chef Zakir’s popularity as a celebrity chef also led him to write several cookbooks, including “Dalda Ka Dastarkhwan,” “Handi,” and “Cooking Delight.” These books feature traditional and modern Pakistani recipes, as well as international dishes, and have become bestsellers in Pakistan and other countries.
In addition to his cooking shows and cookbooks, Chef Zakir has also been a judge on various cooking competitions, including “MasterChef Pakistan.” He has also been a brand ambassador for several food brands and has endorsed numerous food products.
Chef Zakir’s success and popularity have been recognized both nationally and internationally. He has won several awards, including the National Excellence Award, the Pride of Performance Award, and the Best Chef Award at the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards. His culinary expertise and contributions to the food industry have also been recognized by the World Association of Chefs Societies, which awarded him the prestigious Global Master Chef Award.
Apart from his professional accomplishments, Chef Zakir is also known for his philanthropic work. He has been involved in various charitable causes, including raising funds for flood and earthquake victims in Pakistan. He is also a supporter of organizations that provide food and shelter to underprivileged children.
Chef Zakir’s legacy as a celebrity chef and culinary expert continues to inspire aspiring chefs and food enthusiasts in Pakistan and around the world. He has brought Pakistani cuisine to the forefront of the global culinary scene and has shown that Pakistani food is not only delicious but also sophisticated and diverse.
