#LifeLessons // The Biggest Life Learnings Of Chef Iman Nazemi

NAME: Iman Nazemi

AGE: 36

INSTAGRAM HANDLE: @Kishmishdubai

JOB TITLE: Founder & head chef

Born and raised in London to Afghan-Iranian parents, Chef Iman Nazemi grew up in a household she affectionately describes as “a little Afghanistan”. Her earliest memories of food were shaped by the women in her home, particularly her nanny, who would prepare authentic Afghan meals at home.

At the age of 12, Iman embarked on her first journey to Afghanistan, travelling from London to visit her ancestral home in Jalalabad. She felt an immediate sense of belonging to the lush valley and its people. That experience deepened her connection to her roots, planting the seeds for what would later become her life’s work, keeping Afghan traditions alive while adapting them for the modern world.

Although Iman initially explored academic fields such as textiles and developmental studies, she was ultimately drawn to a more purpose-driven path. This became apparent, when she worked at an abandoned mental ward for women and later volunteered at an Afghan Red Crescent Society camp, utilising art therapy and cooking to provide emotional support to women, former prisoners and displaced individuals.

This experience solidified her understanding of food as a powerful medium for connection. During a spontaneous visit to Dubai, Iman realised a glaring gap in the city's dining scene. There were no authentic Afghan food concepts in the city. This led her to start a food truck, a humble hole-in-the-wall spot serving authentic Afghan street food.

Over time, this vision grew. What began as a food truck eventually evolved into a full-fledged restaurant dedicated to showcasing Afghan flavours. At a young age and with little experience, she launched Kishmish. Many dismissed the concept as too niche or traditional, but Iman saw scepticism as fuel. Over the years, she has shaped Kishmish into a pioneering Afghan restaurant, one that married her family’s recipes with her own creative instincts.

Kishmish became her way of telling her story, connecting with wider audiences and keeping Afghan traditions alive in a modern market. Her heritage remains her compass, guiding her choices in food and even in parenting. In the kitchen, she honours family recipes while creating space for her own creativity and at home, she raises her children to take pride in their identity.

Her cooking is intuitive, heartfelt, and rooted in storytelling, drawing diners into the rich cultural tapestry of Afghanistan. In July 2025, Chef Iman expanded with Tokri, a retail extension of Kishmish, offering Afghan spices, pickles, chutneys, sauces, saffron mixes and limited-edition curated baskets.

Through Tokri, she aims to bring her culinary vision into the homes of her guests, allowing them to enjoy Afghan flavours beyond the restaurant experience. Her journey has not only fostered Afghan cultural pride in Dubai but also paved the way for female leadership in the hospitality industry.

Today Iman shares with us her biggest

Life Lessons #1 - “Nothing is wasted”

Even the hardest chapters end up shaping you for the better. Moving countries, navigating cultural identity, building a business from scratch, and becoming a mother — every step has taught me patience, resilience, and the power to rewrite my story at any point. There were moments I thought I’d taken a wrong turn, a project that failed, a personal challenge That slowed me down. But I’ve realised those seasons were never wasted. They became the training ground, giving me the skills and perspective I draw on today. Now, when life shifts unexpectedly, I try to see it not as a setback, but as part of a bigger plan.

#2 - “Resilience isn’t resistance; it’s reinvention”

When I opened Kishmish, I was a young Afghan woman in one of the most competitive dining scenes in the region. More than once, I was underestimated, and my vision was dismissed as “too niche” or “too traditional” or told that I was naive and wouldn’t make it. At first, I wanted to fight to prove people wrong. But I learned that real resilience is not about digging in and refusing to change..it’s about evolving without losing your essence. For me, that meant telling the Kishmish story in new ways, connecting with different audiences, and creating space for tradition in a modern market. Reinvention became my strength.

#3 - “Your roots are your compass”

Growing up Afghan/Iranian while living across different cultures taught me that heritage isn’t something to soften, it’s something to lead with. My roots guide everything: my cooking, my parenting, my values.

In the kitchen, it means honouring recipes passed down through generations, while still allowing room for my own creativity. At home, it means raising my children to feel proud of where they come from, even in a multicultural world. Whenever I feel uncertain, I come back to the constants: the smell of Afghan spices, the stories my parents told me, and the values that have anchored me since childhood.

Life rarely looks the way you planned and that’s where its beauty lies. You don’t need to have every answer or have things figured out early. Keep showing up, keep learning, and trust that even the hardest moments are shaping you into the person you’re meant to be.