Ahmad Hosseini is the resident mixologist at Fullerton’s Khan Saab Desi Craft Kitchen, which has achieved Michelin recognition for its menu of 100 percent Halal food. The menu is complemented by non-alcoholic beverages inspired by the cuisine and culture from the Desi region. Learn about Ahmad Hosseini…
Hometown: Pakistan
First job: Bar back
Favorite ways to spend your free time in CA: I enjoy going on adventures and being in nature!
Your biggest accomplishment and why: I would say my biggest accomplishment would be starting as a bar back, and with perseverance and dedication, eventually working my way to being a beverage director at Khan Saab.
The biggest obstacle you overcame: The biggest obstacle I faced would have to be developing and implementing a zero-proof beverage program from scratch. Khan Saab’s 100 percent non-alcoholic bar program was the first of its kind in SoCal and fourth in the nation, so there were not many resources to turn to.
Someone who inspires you and why: Joel Black, my former mentor when I was starting as a bar back, is my biggest inspiration. I love his passion toward creating cocktails.
Advice to someone pursuing a career path in what you do: Don’t be afraid to shake your shaker well, because that is what life is all about!
Favorite quote: “You miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take” –Wayne Gretzky
Something someone would be surprised to learn about you: Aside from working behind the bar, I also have a culinary passion and a love for being in the kitchen, and I have been experimenting with flavor for years.
What makes someone fabulous: Everybody is perfect in their own way. The fabulous part is getting to be able to see it in them.