KARACHI: Renowned Chef Zakir Hussain has passed away at the age of 58 after battling a kidney disease and undergoing dialysis, his nephew Shayan Qureshi said on Monday night.
According to Shayan, Chef Zakir had been receiving treatment in the United States but doctors had indicated that further medical intervention was unlikely to be effective and the celebrated chef returned to Karachi a month ago.
The funeral prayer for the beloved chef will be held today after the Asr prayer at Jamia Rashidiya, located in Malir, Saudabad.
Born on February 16, 1967, in Karachi, Zakir stood out in the culinary world, influenced by his family’s rich cooking heritage.
His father, Abdul Aziz Qureshi, was a distinguished chef with a national airline, inspiring mamny relatives to follow a similar path.
Zakir received his early education at Kulsoom Bai Valika school and later attended Allama Iqbal College. before beginning his professional journey in 1980 at the Sheraton Hotel in Karachi.
Zakir broadened his culinary horizons internationally, gaining experience in Dubai, Singapore, South Africa, and Botswana, before dedicating 10 years in the United Kingdom, mastering his craft alongside top chefs.
Upon returning to Pakistan in the early 1990s, Zakir became a prominent television figure, hosting several cooking shows on various channels, sharing his vast knowledge of Pakistani, Asian, and international cuisines.