About Us
21 Spices by Chef Asif
21 Spices by Chef Asif invites you to join us on an epicurean adventure, an indulgence of flavors, style and artistry, all lovingly and carefully presented for your enjoyment.
Explore the diverse flavors of classical Indian cuisine, featuring the freshest seasonal ingredients with a modern presentation, innovative culinary techniques. Our focus is to create a unique “culinary journey” that taps into and encourages the emotion and pleasures of eating while being respectful of authenticity.
The menu includes include a wide selection of outstanding biryanis, curries and vegetarian delights, refreshing salads delivered in an artistic fashion, mouthwatering Tandoor-roasted lamb, prawns, fresh fish, chicken, and kabobs flamed in an open-style kitchen. Chef Asif’s delicious homemade chutneys accompany many of our courses.
Elegant appetizers and an array of stuffed tandoori naan are offered as part of the Small Bites Menu in our Wine Bar. Saffron-ginger ice cream and unique desserts and after dinner drinks provide a sweet conclusion to your meal.
Chef Asif Syed
Owner/Executive Chef
Introduction
Chef Asif R. Syed is an Indian American chef who has received multiple awards for his extraordinary culinary talent. He has appeared and excelled on several nationally televised shows. This included shows such as the fifth season of “Guy’s Grocery Games”, “Cutthroat Kitchen” with Alton Thomas in 2016 and “Beat Bobby Flay” in Season 17 - Episode 12 Chop of the Mornin' to Ya in 2018. On “Beat Bobby Flay” he was celebrated for actually beating Bobby Flay in a culinary showdown, with his signature dish of Tandoori Chicken. The highlight of his career came recently on November 16th, 2019 where he successfully conducted a dinner at the James Beard House called “Innovative Indian Cuisine by Chef Asif", making him a James Beard featured chef.
Chef Asif's community involvement
Chef Asif Syed has been living and working in Southwest Florida for over 20years. Over the years chef Asif has become an active member of various charities like the Harry Chapin Food Bank or the Humane Society Naples where he was able to raise $40k at this year's "Dancing with the local stars". His deep commitment to the community has been expressed also by his annual breakfast to fire fighters in honor of 9-11 as well as helping and feeding the community in the aftermath of 6 hurricanes.
Furthermore, Asif Syed has been deeply involved with the local Seminole tribe, cooking for the natives in the past 19 years and being responsible for their weight loss and wellness program in 6 reservation senior centers across the state of Florida.
Mr. Syed is a big advocate on sustainability and traceability, working closely with local farmers and making sure to receive ingredients from sustainable sources. This was one of the reasons why he was selected to be one of three local chefs, showcasing sustainable cuisine at a James Beard curated dinner during the NapleNEXT event in March 2019.
Contribution to Southwest Florida's culinary landscape
After 10 years as the executive chef at the Hilton Hotel on Marco Island, chef Asif Syed took a courageous step in opening the first Indian restaurant in Naples, FL on Dec. 21st, 2015. This was one of the few Indian restaurants in the state of Florida which showcased their cuisine in a modern way, for a more epicurean experience. Back in 2015 the culinary landscape in Southwest Florida was dominated by steakhouses and Italian restaurants. 21 Spices by chef Asif impacted the culinary landscape tremendously and helped to open the door to more ethnic culinary concepts.
Since the early 2000s, Chef has trained over 100 culinary interns and professionals helping them develop a career in the hospitality industry
Awards & Accolades
In addition to being crowned Curry King in 2013 & 2015, Chef Asif has been awarded the 2017 Golden Spoon Award by Florida Trend Magazine, the 2017 Diner’s Choice award by OpenTable and he won a culinary battle against Chef Bobby Flay on the his show Beat Bobby Flay in 2018.
2017 OpenTable Diner's Choice Award
2017 Florida Trend Golden Spoon Award
2013 & 2015 Curry King
2013 & 2015 Curry King
Appearances
Shad Khan Visit
In August 2018 Shad Khan, billionaire and philanthropist, and a large party of guests attended 21 Spices and were treated to a special menu design especially for the occasion.
Guy’s Grocery Games
Chef Asif, along with three other culinary wizards, took to the aisles in a fifth-season episode of Food Network program “Guy’s Grocery Games.”
Cutthroat Kitchen
In 2016 Chef Asif appeared on Alton Brown’s series, “Cutthroat Kitchen,” which pits big-name chefs against each other in a competition that awards the last chef standing a cash prize.
Beat Bobby Flay
Chef Asif appeared in Season 17 - Episode 12 (title: Chop of the Mornin' to Ya) of the Beat Bobby Flay show, not only to showcase his unique culinary talents but to actually beat Bobby Flay in a culinary showdown with his signature dish: Tandoori Chicken.