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Chef Zain Ismail

@thechefzain

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⚖️🔪PRIVATE CHEF 📍Los Angeles
⚡️HIGH FREQUENCY FOOD
🇲🇺& 🇮🇳 from Houston🤘🏽
Farmers Market ingredients, made with intention✨

POSTS STORIES REELS

Zain’s Garden: First Harvest 🌱🥒🌶️
Four days before I turn 30, and this felt like a good moment to stop and take it all in.

Two Persian cucumbers, one serrano, a little bunch of green onions….and somehow I’m way too proud of this 🤣🌱✨
My first marigold bloomed, the chilies are coming in, my passion fruit vines are officially started for next summer, and the watermelon patch has completely taken over. I’ve got about EIGHT baby watermelons growing now 😭🍉
Growing my own food has been a dream of mine since I was a kid. This process has really been about tapping back into Baby Zain, the one who dreamed about having a garden like this and realizing I’m actually bringing that dream into fruition✨

Of course it’s Libra season and I’m outside planting seeds and watching shit grow. 😂♎️🌱

First harvest down. Just getting started⚡️

#ZainsGarden #FirstHarvest #chefsgarden by @thechefzain

I moved here with no plan…just faith, hunger, and a lot of heart.
Fast forward 7years later and I’m still not “there”…
but wow, look how far I’ve come…

This year reminded me that success isn’t always about the win, it’s about the why I showed up
On the show, my goals were simple…
to honor my family’s history,
to lead with strength and intention,
and to share the flavors, heart, and spirit of my father.

I did that.
I made it to the finale.
I didn’t take the title, but I won in the ways that matter to me.
This year I traveled the world cheffing, poured into my clients, and surpassed goals I once prayed for.
So now I’m dreaming bigger!!!
because the stars I reached for last year weren’t high enough.

Here’s to growth, legacy, and whatever’s next.
Grateful. Grounded. Just getting started. ✨ by @thechefzain

✨I am so honored✨
thank you for including me in your magic @jamilnotjamal 🙏🏽
This article makes me so proud of myself and I’m so excited for the next stages of this journey✨✨✨✨✨ by @thechefzain

Oct 6th🎂…& just like that, I’m 30✨🥹
Through the ups, downs, plot twists, and everything in between, I’m just grateful to be here🙏🏽
& somehow, I ended up right back in Zain’s Garden🌱 by @thechefzain

COME TO WORK WITH ME…
SUMMER HEIRLOOM CHAAT in California Wine Country!

Taking beautiful local produce and creating a plate inspired by a simple Indian street food✨

[& ALWAYS EXTRA POINTS IF YOU EXTRA CLEAN YOUR PLATEEE🤣✔️] by @thechefzain

The story of Chef Zain getting in her pastry bag 🍰

Every pastry project teaches me something new…
One step closer to mastering another craft✨

cake for @c.x.n 💖 by @thechefzain

Baked but still CREAMY Mac n Cheese with Smoked Gouda, White Cheddar & Monterrey Jack 🔥🔥🔥 by @thechefzain

Warning: don’t watch this if you’re hungry. ⚠️

We sat down with Chef Cameron, Chef Emily, and Chef Zain ahead of our next Chefs & Friends Dinner to talk food, inspirations, cravings… and naturally, more food.

See these chefs in action at our next Chefs & Friends Dinner. Link in bio to reserve or leave a comment to learn more.

DETAILS
Yes, Chef! featuring @thechefzain
Sunday, March 29, 5-7pm
📍VUE

6-COURSE MENU 🍽️

Amuse
Pani Puri
spice cured hamachi, plantain puree, lychee & passion fruit pani, mango

2nd
Bouillon Cresson
chicken broth, cabbage, mushroom, watercress

3rd
Seared Diver Scallop
pickled chile , tamarind lentil jus, cilantro

4th
Shrimp & Chicken Skin Dumplings
savory tomato rougaille, crispy chickpea, mint & citrus relish

5th
Dholl Puri
confit duck, curry potato, pickle butter beans, herb chutney, cilantro blossom

6th
Black Tea Coconut Trifle
coconut cake, black tea pudding, pistachio dust, muscovado sugar tuile by @thechefzain

Today it’s been 5 years you’ve been spirit-side🪽
I don’t have many words today.
I am just grateful that you taught me this strength and I continue to push it everyday & hopefully I keep making you proud🤍 love you
[& I will continue to rip shit apart to reach my goal😘] by @thechefzain

Lunch in Puerto Rico 🇵🇷✨
Seared Branzino over carrot & ginger purée, finished with a chopped tomato & kumquat salad + some capers.
I’m cooking with what the island gives me🌿
#thechefzain #privatechef #travelprivatechef by @thechefzain

✨ 29. Grateful. Grounded. Growing. ✨

Oct 6th, last year, on my 28th birthday, I wrote out a list of goals…personal, spiritual, and professional
With faith, focus, and a lot of hard work…I’ve not only met those goals, I’ve exceeded them.
✨✨✨
This year brought its ups and downs, but mostly ups✔️ lessons, blessings, and divine alignment.
From stepping onto a reality/cooking show stage to stepping deeper into my purpose as a chef, I’ve proven to myself that I can’t ever doubt my power again.
✨✨✨
Tonight under this FULL MOON…
I’m setting new intentions for my craft, my peace, and the next chapter of this journey✔️
Grateful for everyone who’s been a part of this ride…
The best is still simmering…🔥 by @thechefzain

Puerto Rico has my heart 💛
Last day here but the work never stops…
travel days, chef days, same thing.
That’s the chef life and I’m
sooo grateful for it 🙏🏽✈️
Now onto San Francisco, and wow… the markets here ✨✨✨ by @thechefzain