Naples Chef Asif Syed, the owner and executive chef of contemporary Indian cuisine restaurant 21 Spices, can check another big-time dinner off his menu: He recently prepared dinner for Vice President Kamala Harris; her husband, Douglas Emhoff; and guests.

The milestone event comes a little more than a year after Syed was invited to a White House event marking the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr. Syed attend that event May 2, 2022, saying at the time it was “an extraordinary privilege and honor to be part of the Eid al-Fitr reception.”

The most recent dinner, according to a statement, took place July 11 at the vice president’s residence in Washington, D.C. It was in celebration of the Muslim holiday Eid-Al-Adha, also known as the Feast of the Sacrifice, “which is one of the most important events in the Islamic calendar,” the release adds.

Syed was invited to create an exclusive menu for the dinner, put on in collaboration with the El-Hibri Foundation. In addition to Harris and Emhoff, several dignitaries and Muslim community leaders attended the event, the release states.

“I am very grateful that the Vice President, her husband and the El-Hibri Foundation gave me the opportunity to not only participate at this event but also be a culinary ambassador for Hyderabadi cuisine,” Syed says in the release. “It is my greatest pleasure to highlight our culinary heritage and connect people through the love of food.”

An Indian-American chef, Syed has been living and working in Southwest Florida for more than 20 years, according to the 21 Spices website. He has appeared on several nationally TV shows, including the fifth season of “Guy’s Grocery Games,” “Cutthroat Kitchen with Alton Thomas” in 2016 and “Beat Bobby Flay” in season 17. On “Beat Bobby Flay” he was celebrated for beating Bobby Flay in a culinary showdown, with his signature dish of tandoori chicken. On Nov. 16, 2019, he successfully conducted a dinner at the James Beard House called “Innovative Indian Cuisine by Chef Asif,” making him a James Beard featured chef.

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Prime example, and undoubtedly trendsetting among this new generation of local Indian restaurants, Chef Asif Syed has made a name for the genre and himself in the United States, far beyond his posh dining room in East Naples. His 21 Spices by Chef Asif opened in December 2015 and immediately became a sensation as the chef proved his talent for modernizing and popularizing traditional Indian cuisine.

Chef Asif Syed, a father of two young kids, is the next to arrive, bringing with him a little rock-and-roll attitude. Though everyone in this trio knows each other from living and working in Naples, it’s the first opportunity they’ve had to spend quality time together. Syed came to Naples more than 20 years ago, through an internship at the JW Marriott on Marco Island. “Later, I got a job at the Hilton hotel on Marco Island and worked to become the executive chef,” he says. “Fifteen years later, I opened 21 Spices in Naples.” 

Not all news is bad, however, and many positive efforts are being undertaken within Southwest Florida to assist residents within our communities, as those most in need seek assistance during these dire times.

Photos by Steve Stefanides | Owner and exec Chef Asif R. Syed showing off offering of the day.

In Collier County, we are fortunate to have a number of outstanding organizations and philanthropic groups assisting citizens during these difficult times. It’s heartwarming to see these organizations and volunteers step forward to help where they can.

One of the groups most heavily impacted by the layoffs exists within the restaurant and hotel business sector. They have seen many of their employees laid off or furloughed due to closings to help stem the spread of COVID-19.

Chef Asif Syed, the owner of 21 Spices by Chef Asif in East Naples, was deeply concerned about the many people he knew that had lost their jobs. Syed had come to America after receiving his degree in hotel management and spending time traveling and working through Europe. 

Published 9:35 a.m. ET Dec. 10, 2019 | Updated 10:50 a.m. ET Dec. 10, 2019

Nine Southwest restaurants found themselves in prestigious company late last month when Florida Trend magazine honored them with Golden Spoons. 

The St. Petersburg-based magazine awards its top dining honor to only about 100 restaurants throughout the state each year, specifically to “outstanding fine dining restaurants that have demonstrated consistency in high standards and longevity, usually earned after three years in business or more,” according to floridatrend.com.

The Golden Spoons have been a Florida tradition for more than 50 years. 

BY CHELLE KOSTER WALTON / Gulfshore Life

First it was various stints on the Food Network, including a victory over Bobby Flay with his tandoori chicken. Now Chef Asif Syed from 21 Spices by Chef Asif in East Naples is making headlines with an invitation from the James Beard House in New York to prepare a dinner for around 70 guests on Nov. 16.

Syed established a relationship with the James Beard Foundation through the NaplesNEXT event last March, where the Beard House curated a dinner and Syed served seafood curry from his restaurant’s progressive East Indian repertoire.