Daily Inspiration: Meet Basil Maqbool

I’ve always had a passion for cooking. My mother is an excellent cook. Growing up, she would not only make traditional Pakistani food, but she would also try and incorporate foods from other cultures as well. When I was young, I’d sit in the kitchen and keep her company, watch, and learn. Eventually, she had me start helping her. As I got older, the passion to cook just grew. I’d watch Martin Yang and Jacque Pepin when I could. Then the Food Network launched, and I watched it all the time. America’s Test Kitchen on PBS was a staple. With all of this content, I learned  so much.As I got older – I continued to improve my palate and my skills. I love eating out, trying new foods, and then coming home and cooking in my own kitchen.A few years ago, I found terrible old pictures of meals I cooked that I had taken on a camera. I decided to scan the pics. I found other photos I had taken with my first phone with a camera – my iPhone 3G. I started posting them on Instagram. My wife asked me “who’s going to want to see those? They are terrible”. I replied – “one day these will make me famous.”It became a thing. Every time I cooked, I posted a pic.In 2020, I got a dm from a casting agent who asked if I wanted to apply for top chef amateurs.

Top chef was my favorite food competition series on tv, and I had watched every single season.

Naturally I was excited, but I thought it could be a phishing scam. After some research, I found out it was legit, and I applied. In 2021 my episode aired. I won! It was an amazing.  Stepping inside the kitchen of a show I had watched for years was a surreal experience. I thought my TV career was a one and done. Then this year, in a similar fashion (via another Instagram DM) I applied for America’s Test Kitchen the Next Generation. I competed, and though I didn’t win, I had an amazing time.

Both shows let me live out a culinary dream. I’ve met amazing chefs who I looked up to. I’ve made friends and mentors. It’s opened doors and allowed me to cook in professional kitchens. It’s been an experience I will never forget. Being a pharmacist pays the bills, but it’s not sexy. Cooking allows me to express myself creatively, it’s relaxing, and most of all it’s fun. I love it. I look forward to finding my next opportunity or project. I love teaching people about food and cooking – so perhaps something in online food content creation or another show would be great. I love learning, so I’d love more time in another pro kitchen. Best of all, I love feeding people, so I absolutely have to do a Pop up!

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
I’ve had a lot of obstacles over the years. Too many to count.  Nothing has come easily, from personal challenges, business hardships, family struggles, etc. In all of those instances, I’ve held my head up high, relied on family, friends, and faith, and pushed through.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a pharmacist by profession, that’s what pays the bills.  I started my career working for the largest independent pharmacy in San Diego. I immediately got a taste for business and branched off on my own. Throughout my 20+ year career, I’ve owned an operated locations from LA to San Diego. In 2021, because of past personal issues and Covid, I was forced to divest ownership, start over, and take on a new role. Currently I’m the Director of Pharmacy for Premier Pharmacy Solutions – a closed door pharmacy that services nursing home and hospice patients.