Dallas-based Pakistani chef Maryam Ishtiaq has announced that she will be competing in the upcoming season of the hit American culinary reality show, Next Level Chef.
Competing on a Global Stage
The highly anticipated fourth season of Next Level Chef premieres on February 13 on Fox. Hosted by renowned chefs Gordon Ramsay, Nyesha Arrington, and Richard Blais, the show challenges contestants with intense culinary battles.
Sharing her excitement on Instagram, the 32-year-old self-taught chef expressed her pride in representing the Pakistani-American 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.
From Home Cook to Culinary Entrepreneur
Beyond the competition, Ishtiaq is the co-founder of It’s Actually, an American food company specializing in halal broth. With years of experience catering for large families and private events, she has built a strong reputation in the halal culinary space.
A Long-Awaited Opportunity
Ishtiaq revealed that she had applied for Next Level Chef years ago and had completely forgotten about it until she unexpectedly received a call from the show’s team.
“You go through multiple rounds of interviews, auditions, background checks,” she shared, highlighting the rigorous selection process.
A Rising Star in the Food Industry
Last month, Ishtiaq was featured in Forbes, where she discussed her plans to open a café catering to halal food while accommodating other dietary restrictions.
As Next Level Chef returns to television, audiences can look forward to watching Ishtiaq showcase her culinary skills and compete against top chefs from around the world.
