In this episode of The Perfect Bite, host Sarah Perkins sits down with Chef Zubair Mohajir, the creative force behind Lilac Tiger, Coach House, Mirra, and Sarima Café—four of Chicago’s most inventive and culture-forward restaurants.

Zubair’s journey is anything but traditional. Born in Chennai, India, and raised in the Chicago suburbs, he went from a career in finance to the kitchens of Jean-Georges, Bouchon, and even Gaggan in Bangkok. His story spans immigration, resilience, mentorship, and the reinvention of Indian cuisine paired with other cultures for a new generation.

He shares how his South Indian roots shaped his culinary identity, how he built community-driven restaurants rooted in collaboration and culture, and how he’s using food to challenge stereotypes about Indian cuisine.

You’ll Learn:

• How Zubair transitioned from finance to fine dining
• Lessons from working at Jean-Georges and staging at Gaggan in Bangkok
• The origins of Wazwan, Lilac Tiger, Coach House, Mirra, and Sarima Café to James Beard nominations
• How Top Chef changed his perspective as a creative entrepreneur
• Why collaboration is key in the restaurant industry
• His reflections on culture, immigrant identity, and culinary reinvention

You can visit all of Zubair’s venues throughout Chicago. To learn more, visit www.chefzubair.com. 

You can follow Zubair on Instagram @zubairmohajir. You can follow his restaurants @lilactigerchi, @mirrachicago, @coachhousechi, and @sarimacafe. 

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