EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH
ZAKIR HUSSAIN QURESHI
Mr. Zakir a highly skilled professional chef who is proficient in all aspects of
food preparation. He is the one who brought a tremendous revolution in cooking
shows.
The chef Zakir ‘s full name is Muhammad Zakir Qureshi, originally his roots are
connected with Bombay born in Karachi on 16th of February 1967. Zakir primary
school name is a Qulsoom Bai Valika School but he passed his matriculation from
Govt. Boys' School of Santabad. After that he completed his intermediate from a
renowned college for boys Allama Iqbal which is located at Star Gate Airport
Karachi. The only leisure pursuit of Zakir is cooking and his preferred place is
Madina and God Cape town in Europe. In 1980, Zakir settled on to get training
from a well-liked Hotel and he started his training from at Sheraton Hotel which
is positioned at Club Road Karachi. In 1986, Zakir went to Dubai for working in
as a professional Chef and he spent here about two years in two most renowned
restaurants. After these two years in 1988 he went to Singapore where he spent
almost a year and finally he went to South Africa for higher studied in cooking
profession. He also had done a number of jobs in different restaurant before
shifting to Botswana. He got married in 1986 and now he is the father of 5
children among 3 are girls and two are boys. Currently, he is hosting a popular
fusion cooking show on Masala Tv called DAWAT.A show which is propelling his
popularity to new heights. His tips to enhance taste shows his experience and
Knowledge with full devotion towards his job. The excerpt of an interview with
Chef Zakir is as follws:
When did you start your professional career?
Chef Zakir: I started my career in 1980 after a forceful pressure from my father
and brother's side.
How did you enter in this field?
My father Mr. Abdul Aziz Qureshi was a renowned chef of his time. He used to
work at PIA as a chef. And my other brothers are also a part of this field.
What were your feelings while starting your career as a chef?
In the beginning, I was so angry because ginger, garlic and onion fragrance
irritated me whenever I washed my hands and the smell still existed. So, I
planned to leave my class. Actually I was interested in military and police
services, my wish was to serve my life for the prosperity of Pakistan. I wanted
to do something out of the ordinary I did not want to become a chef but my
teacher guided me in a humble way and he told me that” by teaching and
introducing new taste among the public is also a way to serve humanity and you
can beat white people by entering into this profession.Actully the concept is
behind that the chef is only a person who is white.” So that was the turning
point where I washed out all my plans and I entered into this field whole
heartedly and after this i took participation in all international cooking
competitions and rewarded with Awards , trophies and certificates.
What do you think which profession has more worth?
According to me every profession has its own place and its totally up to you how
much you are sincere with your profession. You can give strength to your
profession by doing best in it and you can destroy it by playing with it..
According to you which meal is the best?
I always prefer such type of meal which is simple and easily digestible. And
Daal chawal, vege dishes I like the most.
From which channel did you start your television career?
I started my television career from Indus TV than I joined ARY where I hosted
approx 2 to 3 programs and in 2006 I started working for HUM and left to go
abroad .Coming back to Pakistan I chose MASALA TV and still I am associated with
MASALA channel.
Chef’s worth at national and international level?
Let me tell you about some differences of mentality e.g. before 80’s Asian
culture does not give any respect to a person who cook for others while at the
same time chef is valuable in Europe. And when I was working in Europe our
chef's uniform gave us so much benefits we don’t need to stand in queue, wait
for our turn even at superstores we get 15 to 20% discount on goods. And the
same special treatment we get at the time of travelling either airline have
space or not they make space for us and give us tickets only due to our uniform.
Which characteristics you possess that you consider to have contributed to your
success?
I think I never start any work without getting perfection in it. Let me tell you
about my experience I did dishwashing for 3 years when I got perfect in it. I
entered into the kitchen and now you can ask from my dishwashers they are
satisfied from my work.
Where do you spend your leisure time?
My schedule is very tough, don’t have leisure time. But whenever I get time I
call up my friends for get together and prepare food for them.
What are your future plans?
I don’t know about my next moment either my RUB will give me a chance to stay
alive or not so I don’t think to do a future planning.
What is the philosophy of successful cook in your view?
Don’t jump in this field without a confidence do everything step by step just
learn before practicing.
Do you have any specific game which you like the most?
No I don’t like any game cooking is just like a game for me and you can say it's
my hobby as well.
Why did you leave Shan- E-Mughlya?
Due to the unrest situation of Karachi and some threats I left Shan E Mughlya
project. Because I am media person and I can’t hide myself from the screen but
still my two restaurants are working in Karachi one is in Clifton and another
one is in Defense housing authority ( names are confidential).
What’s your message to the young generation?
Do not waste your time just achieve your goal, life is so precious avail your
current time and plan for your’s tomorrow. Don’t lie and don’t look down upon
the other person because he or she has been created by Allaah SWT and Allaah
never creates useless things.