Two weeks ago, all Muslims across America celebrated Eid-Al-Adha, also known as the “Feast of the Sacrifice” which is one of the most important events in the Islamic calendar.

Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband Douglas Emhoff, in collaboration with the El-Hibri Foundation, hosted a reception for guests in celebration of this special Muslim holiday at her residence in Washington DC on Tuesday, July 11th. 

Naples local celebrity Chef Asif Syed (Executive Chef and owner at 21 Spices by Chef Asif in Naples) was invited to create an exclusive menu for this event which was attended by several dignitaries and Muslim community leaders.

“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. It is my greatest pleasure to highlight our culinary heritage and connect people through the love of food” stated Chef Asif.

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Whether your goal is Tiki bar, feet-in-the-sand casual, or a refined special occasion meal, you will find it in Naples. As Cathy Christopher, Director of Sales and Marketing at Inn on Fifth notes, “Naples is the only beach city with this range of cuisine and cultural opportunities. There are many beach cities in Florida (and the world) to choose from, but Naples enjoys a unique combination of amazing restaurants and the natural beauty of the Everglades.”

Thank you to everyone who attended our showing of Beat Bobby Flay! We love our Naples family and are extremely grateful for the support.

The “King of Spice,” chef Asif Syed of 21 Spicesrestaurant in East Naples, beat world-famous chef Bobby Flay at his own game on Food Network.

It was the smoked, fiery-red chicken tandoori that did it in an episode of “Beat Bobby Flay” that aired Thursday.

“Every time I make this dish, it just gets better and better,” said Syed, whose cooking style is influenced by his Indian heritage.

The idea is to bring seasoned chefs from across the country to first battle each other before, hopefully, advancing to the final round against Flay, whom few chefs have been able to beat.

The showdown pitted Syed, whose appearance Thursday night was his third on the popular cooking network, against New York City chef Jordan Frosolone. They prepared a dish of Flay’s choosing: lamb chops.

Chef Asif Syed, owner of 21 Spices in East Naples was chosen to compete on the Food Network show “Beat Bobby Flay.”

“Everybody knows him, he’s fantastic, he’s very talented, so it was like a dream come true,” said Syed, who opened his restaurant 3 years ago.

The show chooses one chef to try and beat the celebrity chef at his own game.

“The format is, first round, you have a mystery ingredient, I got lamb chop.”

The judges passed Syed to the next round, where he had to challenge Bobby with his own signature dish, Tandoori Chicken.

“That’s an Indian Bar-b-que chicken, which is done on an open flame or a Tandoori oven, which is a clay pot oven.”

The judge’s stomachs were swayed, and Syed was declared the winner, but it was no cakewalk.

“At that time, with an iron chef, no matter how cool you try to be, Bobby Flay is Bobby Flay.”

Even though Chef Syed has become local celebrity in his own rite, he says his appearance on the show will benefit foodies all over Naples.

“Now Naples is all over the culinary map, people all around the country knows where Naples is and what kind of food it offers.”

Episodes of “Beat Bobby Flay” air Thursday’s at 10:00, and are available on the Food Network website.

The Naples chef is bringing the heat to the renowned chef Bobby Flay in a toe-to-toe match up.

It’s not the first time chef Syed has been on the Food Network. He’s also appeared on Guy’s Grocery Games, Cutthroat Kitchen and of course Beat Bobby Flay. 

In honor of his latest appearance, 21 Spices is hosting a special dinner from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. After dinner time, guests can enjoy appetizers and drinks while watching the show, which begins at 10 p.m.

The event is expected to be sold out. You can make reservations via email at michel@21spicesdining.com or by calling (239) 919-8830.

Chef Asif Rasheed Syed knows how to spice things up.

If you haven’t visited 21 Spices in East Naples yet, you can sample some of Syed’s mouth-watering dishes at this year’s Paradise Coast Wine & Food Experience in Naples. 

Last year, the 21 Spices executive chef served up tropical fruit chutney and spicy chicken 65 to hungry patrons, and also hosted a cooking demonstration.

While it’s too early to tell what he’ll cook this year, Syed did say he’s excited to meet fellow foodies.

“I’m from Naples and I love to be actively involved in everything that goes on here,” he said.

Chef Asif stated: “We are very proud and humbled by this recognition! Our whole team from servers, over managers to kitchen personnel has evolved tremendously in such short amount of time. This is a great award for a great team effort. I am very proud of what we have accomplished and that we keep representing the culinary landscape of Southwest Florida in a positive way.”

For the last 50 years, Florida Trend has provided readers with a guide to the state’s finest restaurants, celebrating the diversity of dining opportunities from coast to coast.  These offerings range from the treasured institutions in the Hall of Fame to trendy newcomers making their debuts.  The Golden Spoon awards recognize individual achievement and distinctive contributions to the Florida restaurant scene.   “Dining out is a major activity for Florida citizens and our 100 million annual visitors,” says Florida Trend Publisher, Andy Corty.  “We are pleased to recognize the leaders.”

For a complete searchable list of the Golden Spoon award winners organized by region, go to www.FloridaTrend.com/Golden-Spoons.
 

About 21 spices by Chef Asif

Chef Asif Syed has been serving his modern interpretation of authentic Indian cuisine at 21
Spices in the Sugden Park Plaza on U.S. 41 East since December 2015. 21 Spices offers guests a culinary journey through the diverse flavors of classical Indian cuisine. The menu includes a wide selection of outstanding biryanis, curries and vegetarian delights, refreshing salads, Tandoor-roasted lamb, prawns, fresh fish, chicken, and kabobs flamed in an open-style kitchen.

Prior to opening 21 spices, Syed served as the executive chef at the Hilton Marco Island Beach Resort, trained with top international chefs in three continents, and was named the Curry King at the Tampa Bay International Curry Festival in 2013 and 2015. Syed also competed in Food Network’s Guy’s Grocery Game fall 2016 and was featured at this year’s New York City Food and Wine Festival.

About Florida Trend 

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