CO-FOUNDER, KNIFE PLEAT
WHY: Along with partner Yassmin Sarmadi, opened award-winning restaurant Knife Pleat that in 2021 won a 1-Star Michelin review, the only such restaurant to do so in the 55-year history of the South Coast Plaza. A repeat Michelin recipient recognition in 2022.
THE NEWS: Won Business Journal 2022 Chef of the Year award in March.
QUOTABLE: “Passion. This is a business of passion. You need to have the passion. Without it, you cannot do this. No matter what you do, you have to have passion.”
