Zachary Neman

Zachary Neman is a 25-year-old self-taught chef, content creator, and proud shekamoo (Farsi for someone who loves to eat). Born and raised in Great Neck, New York, Zach grew up in a vibrant Persian-Jewish household where food was everything—abundant, homemade, and always shared.

He started cooking at age five, mastering his mom’s saffron-turmeric scrambled eggs before most kids could tie their shoes. Inspired by his dad’s deep love for food and hours spent watching cooking shows together, Zach quickly evolved from curious kid to full-blown home cook. By high school, he was recreating restaurant dishes and feeding his entire family.

Zach studied computer science in college, but after being rejected from every internship he applied to going into senior year, he took a leap—turning his passion for cooking into a summer business. From his kitchen, he sold hundreds of made-from-scratch meals and sauces. Nine-hour days, cooking and delivering solo, became his unofficial culinary school.

That summer changed everything. He picked up a camera, started filming his food, and never looked back. Today, Zach shares his bold, flavor-packed recipes with millions online, blending his cultural roots, technical skill, and infectious enthusiasm into every dish.

From little shekamoo to digital chef, Zach’s journey proves that sometimes rejection is just redirection—and that food, when made with love, really can bring people together