We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Shaziah Zuberi a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Shaziah , so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
Friendship with diverse ingredients gave me my life’s purpose!
My new hometown is a melting pot of blending cultures and my friendship circles are as diverse as the ingredients that I use in my cooking. Food flavors drift in and out of cultures – and within them I found my life’s purpose.
Cooking with flavors allows for conversation, making fond memories, and showing people around you that you care. As I pass through each new chapter of my life, I redefine my roles, enrich myself through my surroundings, and rejuvenate myself through creative cooking and building meaningful friendships.
My passion for engaging in creative pursuits began as a teenager in Pakistan when I landed a leading role in the TV drama “Sassi Punno.” I did not realize at the time that this path would not only bring me joy but also shape me into someone bold and more receptive to my external world. As I see myself in the mirror, I also understand how others view me. I became calm and positive.
Upon arriving in the US, I discovered a diverse food culture which inspired me to prepare and serve novel recipes. I began creating transformative dishes with uplifting flavors – driven by unfamiliar ingredients – that connected me to the world and connected me with the flavors of my past. Each dish had an invigorating and intriguing set of flavors without too much effort in the kitchen. As I was experimenting, I found a “home” in fusion cooking, which became a joyful cross-cultural “ride” – the flavors naturally came alive through the power of ingredients, which revolutionized the dish and created a new story of friendship. I once made Moroccan-style chicken blended with Pakistani spices—my kids loved how this adventure connected them to both cultures and their own roots.
As I continued to build on my new creations, I felt less bound by what I had been taught about traditional cooking from my past. It was like earth’s quick tectonic plates shifted me toward the mixing of more radical flavors (for example, adding matcha and miso paste as new featured ingredients in traditional South Asian dishes or adding lavender sprigs in beverages). All this experimenting filled me with excitement.
I was also flooded with ideas of how to make dishes more accessible with ready-to-use condiments and chutneys, as well as with mixed roasted seasonings. I wanted to cook with maximum flavors but minimal effort. When my kids returned from school for a long holiday weekend, my meals prep needed to be efficient in the kitchen. I wanted everything in the kitchen to flow smoothly so I could spend quality time with my family, serving tasty food and receiving no complaints. I focused on modifying my cooking approach. This mindset has taught me that everything I use in cooking should make sense with the ingredient features I use, including tying the flavor and nutrition. A simple example is adding dried herbs to add depth and fresh herbs for brightness. Similarly, yogurt is a gem of an ingredient that not only lends extra fluffiness to baked cakes but also introduces a tangy depth that balances the cake’s sweetness. In doing so, I have gained a deeper understanding of how and why I prefer to combine certain ingredients – there is always a purpose or a bit of science behind it. Nothing in the cooking process is ever without reason; everything has its place and produces a more profound impact.
With time, I became a food blogger, published a cookbook (“A Taste of Pakistan in Fusion”), and founded a women’s group, “DC Chapter Bridge”, a platform that promotes diversity, connection, and creativity in the realm of art & literature. I am so proud of my creative culinary journey, as it had taught me to laugh and think, and empowered me to become the woman I am today.
Creativity shines like the sun when you give yourself the flexibility and permission to freely judge the ingredients that YOU prefer! Even when they do not seem to satisfy your taste buds perfectly, they give you the freedom to think from a fresh angle. In the process, we understand how to cook a little better through unfamiliar ingredients. And, in cooking, it is better to try rather than not try at all. With this mindset, we keep learning about unexplored ingredients, ideas, options, tips, and ways to make new dishes. This widens our perspective and builds our confidence in the kitchen.
Hence, a woman’s life is enriched by fresh curiosity — by nurturing it, she discovers purpose and meaning.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I am excited about my next chapter with my progressive platform – “DC Chapter Bridge”. This initiative is focused on raising awareness about women in the DC community who possess creative talent – and it focuses on promoting their voice.
I am so proud about this initiative in support of my cherished community This is all about giving back to this community which has empowered me so much since I arrived as an immigrant in the US from Pakistan 16 years ago – and which has shaped into whom I am today.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
– Culinary fusion recipe design – Empowering creative female voices in my community
– Creative cookbook author with active community outreach
Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
My twins (now 21 years old) and my supportive husband of 24 years have been my most impactful and positive supporters in shaping me and my creative journey.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.tasteofpakistaninfusion.com
- Instagram: @shaziahzuberi
- Facebook: Shaziah Zuberi
- Linkedin: Shaziah Zuberi
- Twitter: @ShaziahZ
