Kriti Mehrotra
Revolving around 12 talented yet fiery professional chefs as they face off against one another for a chance at winning an astounding cash prize of $250,000, NBC’s ‘Yes, Chef!’ is unlike any other. That’s because it pushes these individuals to not only showcase their abilities but also hone their overall culinary skills as well as personal attitude towards their craft for potential future growth. Among them in season 1 was the incredible Zain Ismail, who slowly yet surely became one of the strongest contenders by taking on criticism with an open mind and then laboring to better herself.
Zain Ismail Worked Hard to Prove Her Mettle
Soon after Zain Ismail made her debut on national television, she made it clear she was a force to be reckoned with, despite being on the younger side of this batch of pro chefs. However, she also didn’t shy away from conceding that while she is successful in her work, she did struggle with both anger and impatience in the kitchen, which could come across as disrespectful. That’s why her trusted Executive Chef, Cole, nominated her to be a part of the show, with her agreeing in the hopes of softening herself up while also testing her personal brand’s scope.
Zain didn’t have the most remarkable run in episode 1, but she did catch the eye of the judges, only to then zero in on the task at hand in episode 2 and shine through in a way no one expected. There were a few moments throughout the series when she almost lost her cool owing to the interpersonal drama amongst chefs, but she didn’t really let it get to her for too long. This worked wonders for the 28-year-old as she finally found a way to manage her emotions while also evolving into a natural leader, so she ended up with a Most Valuable Chef (MVC) title and a spot in the final.
Zain Ismail Has Been Passionate About Food Since She Was a Young Girl
Since Zain has both Mauritian and Indian roots, food has reportedly always been a big part of her life. It became even more prominent when her parents sadly separated when she was young. The Houston, Texas, native grew up in a single-parent household with a working mother, driving her to notice quite early on that there was a lot on the plate of the woman she considered her lifeline. Therefore, she took up a few household chores with the intention of helping out to the best of her abilities, finding herself falling in love with cooking as well as the art behind it all.
From what we can tell, Zain has not been open about her formal training or qualifications to become a professional chef, but we do know she kickstarted her career in the late 2010s in her hometown. She initially focused solely on Plant-based and Vegan foods so as to stand out from the crowd at the time, yet her dishes still comprised mouth-watering burgers, cakes, chili, tacos, and much more. Eventually, the ambitious youngster chose to relocate to Los Angeles, California, where her calling really took off as she spread her wings to evolve into a full-time Plant-based private chef.
Zain’s primary focus from there on out was on her flavor profiles and unique selling point, which is a blend of all her rooted influences as well as the classic American Way, while also prioritizing sustainability. After all, while her preferred flavors are herbs and spices often found in cuisines specific to her background, her unique selling point is that she only uses ingredients from local farmers’ markets. Since then, though, this successful private chef has even taken on the role of Executive Sous Chef of Fork n’ Film, which is an immersive dining and cinema experience in the City of Angels.
Zain Finds Immense Joy in the Moments She Spends With Her Family
Although Zain’s parents divorced when she was just a young girl, it appears as if they did so on amicable terms for the sake of their daughter, enabling her to have beautiful relationships with them both. However, sadly, on October 29, 2020, her father, the man she unwaveringly referred to as her “best friend” and “whole world,” passed away, and this grief continues to hang over her like a dark cloud. Nevertheless, on his birthday each year, on February 24, she unfailingly pays tribute to him by sharing the sentiments that are really in her heart. This year, in 2025, she penned, in part, “What a blessing to even have a father like you and I’ll keep these memories close to my heart foreverrrr. I can feel your energy with me everyday… my whole personality is (you).”
The young woman actually walked her mother down the aisle when she tied the knot with the “love of her life,” David Moore, who has accepted Zain as his own, too. In fact, as the couple travels the world today to experience new cultures and foods, they continue to support her from far away, even hosting watch parties for her in Bangrak Tavern in Koh Samui, Thailand, which is their current stop. Coming to Zain’s own romantic relationships/standing, she actually prefers to keep the details of this side of her life relatively private, so not much is known about her experiences in this regard.
