Chef Zakir Hussain dead at 58

Culinary expert was battling kidney disease

In an Instagram post shared on Monday, Chef Samia Lari informed that Chef Zakir Hussain has died at 58. The statement read, "We are deeply saddened to share that Chef Zakir Hussain, one of Pakistan's most renowned culinary legends, has passed away. His legacy in the world of cooking will forever be remembered. May Allah grant him the highest place in Jannah. Rest in peace, Chef Zakir sahab."

Samia mourned further in the caption, "[He was] a truly talented soul whose passion for food brought joy to many. His creativity, warmth, and dedication will always be remembered. Please keep him and his loved ones in your prayers during this difficult time. May his soul rest in peace."

As per Zakir's nephew Shayan Qureshi, the culinary master was undergoing treatment for kidney disease and was on regular dialysis. He had flown to the United States, though after being told that medical procedures would be futile, he returned to Karachi only a month ago.

Being the son of airline chef Abdul Aziz Qureshi, Zakir belonged to a family of culinary experts. He was recognised for his cooking show, Zakir's Kitchen, where he taught his audience how to make a variety of local and international cuisines.

'Teacher to many'

Among those mourning his passing online was TV host Dr Bushra Iqbal, who gave her followers a rundown of the chef's remarkable career. "[Zakir] started his career in 1980 at Sheraton Hotel in Karachi and later served at Owari and Pearl Continental Hotels. He also worked in Dubai, Singapore, South Africa, and Botswana," she wrote, adding that the chef was known for his work on television as well.

"His simple and mouth-watering recipes became popular not only in Pakistan but also in India, Bangladesh, and other countries. His demise is being seen as the end of an era in the world of Pakistani cuisine," Bushra continued.

Acknowledging the impact of the chef's death on his loved ones and fans, she said, "Colleagues, celebrities, and fans on social media continue to relay their condolences on Chef Zakir's. He is being remembered not only as an expert chef but also for his lovable personality. May Allah forgive him and grant patience to his family."

Netizens, who shared their love for Zakir's recipes, came together to mourn the late chef and remember him in kind words. "His legacy lives on through the cooking skills he's shared with fans. Chef Zakir - a legendary name in Pakistani cuisine. He was indeed a beloved chef, known for sharing simple and delicious recipes. May his contributions to cooking continue to inspire many. Ameen to the prayers for his soul," penned a Facebook user.

Many others recalled not just Zakir's expertise in the field, such as his "remarkable" skills with the knife and his "authentic" techniques and recipes, but also his graceful bearing on television. "He would make such beautiful prayers at the end of his show, especially for his daughters. May Allah make his journey ahead easy and grant him forgiveness," one user said.

Another wrote, "Every household in Pakistan has great memories with him. My mother and I used to cook from his recipe books. He's a teacher to many."

Even Instagram was flooded with prayers for the late culinary master. Amid a stream of well wishes, a user wrote, "Such tragic news. I have learnt a lot from him. I used to note down his recipes. He was like a mentor to me."