Maryam Ishtiaq, a Dallas-based Pakistani chef, has announced she will compete in the upcoming season of the popular American culinary reality show, Next Level Chef. The show, returning for its fourth season on February 13 on Fox, is hosted by renowned chefs Gordon Ramsay, Nyesha Arrington, and Richard Blais.
A self-taught culinary enthusiast, the 32-year-old chef shared her excitement on Instagram, expressing her pride in representing her community on an international stage. “My world is about to get rocked, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to represent my community on such a prominent platform while doing what I love most! Let’s do this!” she wrote.
Ishtiaq is the co-founder of Its Actually, an American food company specializing in halal broth, and has extensive experience catering for large families and private events.
She revealed that she had applied for Next Level Chef years ago and had forgotten about it until she was unexpectedly contacted by the show’s staff. “You go through multiple rounds of interviews, auditions, background checks,” she said.
In addition to her culinary career, Ishtiaq was recently featured in Forbes, where she discussed plans to open a café offering halal food while accommodating various dietary needs.
As the new season of Next Level Chef airs, viewers can look forward to seeing Ishtiaq take on culinary challenges alongside other talented chefs from around the world.
