Maryam Ishtiaq, a Dallas-based culinary artist of Pakistani heritage, has earned high praise from renowned British chef Gordon Ramsay for her flavorful and yogurt-infused tandoori chicken. Her exceptional dish captivated the judges on Season 4 of Next Level Chef, where its richness and depth of flavor stood out.
Pakistan, beautiful and some of the best food in Pakistan – Gordon Ramsay pic.twitter.com/TcJbjkH90k
— خان (@Khanstitution1) February 21, 2025
Ishtiaq shared a clip of her heartfelt exchange with the judges on Instagram, which quickly went viral for its authenticity and raw emotion. In the midst of an intense cooking battle, as her chicken sizzled in the pan, Ramsay introduced her dish, saying, “Next up, Maryam, her take on tandoori chicken.” Another judge immediately chimed in, remarking, “Lovely freshness coming off of homemade yoghurt, girl, incredible.”
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Ramsay then inquired, “Maryam, what’d you get? Chicken thighs?” She responded, “I’m making tandoori chicken and bringing it together with some yoghurt sauce.”
“Yeah,” Ramsay acknowledged. Ishtiaq continued, “My kids love it. My husband loves it.”
Pointing to an ingredient, Ramsay asked, “What’s that?” She replied, “It’s heavy cream and green pepper.” Ramsay responded approvingly, “Great flavour in there, yes.”
As the conversation unfolded, Ishtiaq proudly mentioned her Pakistani roots. Ramsay enthusiastically agreed, saying, “And some of the best food in Pakistan, I mean.” Ishtiaq affirmed, “Absolutely, spicy.” To which Ramsay added, “Oh, my God, and fragrant. Amazing, amazing.”
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Clearly impressed, the MasterChef judge praised her dish as “delicious,” noting that her strong Pakistani culinary foundation was evident. “Well done,” he said.
Overwhelmed with emotion, Ishtiaq expressed her gratitude: “Being able to represent Pakistan is something I have always wanted to do.”
Celebrating the moment, she took to Instagram with an ecstatic post: “Spoiler: When @gordongram says Pakistan has some of the best food, you better believe it! We are going to the drafts, baby!!!”
She further announced her selection on Instagram, sharing her excitement and appreciation for the opportunity to showcase her skills and heritage on such a prestigious platform.
Ishtiaq revealed that her selection came as a complete surprise—having applied years ago, she had nearly forgotten about it until she received the life-changing call. The rigorous selection process involved multiple interviews and background checks, with thousands of applicants vying for a spot.
Reflecting on her journey as a private chef and entrepreneur, she said, “I’ve made my own way here, and I’m really proud of it.” She hopes to make the most of this opportunity and continue growing in her culinary career.
Beyond her work as a chef, Ishtiaq is the founder of It’s Actually, a company specializing in halal, hand-crafted bone broth. Her talent has already been recognized, with a feature in Forbes, and she aspires to open a café catering to diverse dietary needs in the future.