Zubair Mohajir Biography – Zubair Mohajir Wiki
Zubair Mohajir is the founder and executive chef at Lilac Tiger, Coach House, and Mirra currently living in Chicago, Illinois.He is a contestant in season 22 of Top Chef known as Top Chef: Destination Canada.
Originally from Chennai, India, Chef Zubair Mohajir took an unconventional path to culinary success. A former financial analyst, he pivoted to the kitchen after being laid off during the 2008 financial crisis. Starting as a prep cook, he climbed the ranks to sous chef at Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s The Pump Room in Chicago, mastering French techniques and Southeast Asian flavors along the way.
Determined to refine his craft, Zubair joined Thomas Keller’s Bouchon in Napa as a chef de partie. While there, he reached out to Gaggan Anand, securing an exclusive apprenticeship at Gaggan in Bangkok, one of Asia’s most celebrated restaurants. After six months in Thailand, he returned to Chicago, where he introduced his visionary Wazwan pop-up, earning widespread acclaim.
In 2021, Zubair opened his first brick-and-mortar restaurant, which evolved into two distinct concepts in 2023—Lilac Tiger, showcasing South Asian street food, and The Coach House, a refined fine-dining experience. Most recently, he launched Mirra, a restaurant blending the bold flavors of Indian and Mexican cuisine.
Zubair’s culinary excellence has earned him industry-wide recognition. He was named 2022 Jean Banchet Rising Chef of the Year and is a two-time James Beard Award semi-finalist—first in 2023 for Best Chef Great Lakes, and again in 2024 as Emerging Chef of the Year.
With a passion for innovation and a deep respect for global flavors, Chef Zubair Mohajir continues to push boundaries, redefining modern Indian cuisine and leaving an indelible mark on Chicago’s dining scene.
Zubair Mohajir Age
He was born in the 1980s in his hometown Chennai, India.
Zubair Mohajir Wife
The renowned chef is married to his wife, Rida Siddiqui and they have a son called Ferran.
Zubair Mohajir Top Chef
Chennai born chef Zubair is a contestant on Top Chef; Destination Canada. The cooking reality show is in its 22nd season and will take place in Canada. It premieres on March 13, 2025.
He is competing alongside other 14 chefs who are ; Kat Turner, Anna “Anya” El-Wattar, Paula Endara, Tristen Epps, Corwin Hemming, Katianna Hong, Lana Lagomarsini, Henry Lu, Vincenzo “Vinny” Loseto, César Murillo, Massimo Piedimonte, Bailey Sullivan,Shuai Wang and Mimi Weissenborn.
This season’s grand prize includes $250,000; $125,000 in Delta flight credit; a feature in Food & Wine magazine; and an appearance at the annual Food & Wine Classic. Plus, the winner will have a chance to present at The James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards in Chicago, Ill., and to headline an exclusive dinner at the James Beard house in New York. Quickfire Challenges are back, so the chefs will also be competing for $150,000 in cash prizes throughout the season.
Zubair Mohajir Family
Chef Zubair was born in Chennai, grew up in Doha, Qatar, before moving with his family as a 12 yearr old to the south west suburbs of Chicago in 1997.
Zubair Mohajir Religion
he chef is of the islamic (muslim) religous faith.
His Instagram handle is @zubairmohajir.
