Meet Ismat
Meet Ismat.
Serial entrepreneur and restaurateur. We join him on the patio of his staple restaurant sipping the strongest sangrias made by his right-hand man Luis. Looking out onto the street, we see vendors, bicyclists, and long lines of traffic on the small two-lane main street of Ajijic. The menu of today’s dishes propped up by siding reads affordable and unique cuisine from this Kenyan-born world-renowned chef. Having spent the last 10 years expressing his passion for culinary excellence in Mexico, Ismat shares that he had a lounge and another restaurant in the city before COVID-19. Mexico News Daily cites a 15% restaurant permanent closure of all eateries throughout Mexico. Dining and meeting spaces were hit especially hard by the pandemic and he threw his hands up as he remembered the capital he invested only to have it wiped out by the unforeseen. Flashing a determined smile, he states he’s all about the slower, more present life now and is happy to be away from the hustle and bustle of his fine dining past in haute cuisine.
You can often find him mingling with his patrons at Gossips with reggae, trap, or hip-hop mixes lulling through the speakers. A badass chef with a CVS receipt long resume, Ismat tells us of his start in the kitchen back in Nairobi and how he transcended the fine dining scene with his cooking flair and principled techniques. He then moved to Canada where he again made a name for himself among the Canadian elite and was a sought-after shaman of savory delights. Opening up a restaurant at the age of 22 with his partner Fred, he turned an undeveloped street into a bustling hub with his take on wild game. Dedicating over 15 years in this space, he perfected his craft. Another 8 years were dedicated to varied ventures expanding his skill set and bringing his unique perspective to different spaces.
Seeking a new start, he found his way to Mexico and has been in Ajijic ever since. Visited by customers who are more like good friends, Ismat’s immensely satisfying cuisine always lands as people find their way back for the particular and undeniable flavor of Kenya fused with rich flavor and skill.
Hailing from the picturesque country of Kenya, he values self-determination and self-discovery. He instills knowledge of self and independence into his children and is beyond proud of the doers he’s raised. We recognized a kindred spirit in Ismat, one that defies circumstances and makes things happen. Like a caring mentor, he relays what he’s learned in hopes we can skip the hard part of life. We welcome the impartation and mull over his words. Bridled with a strong sense of purpose and self-expression, we lift him up as he continues his journey. We encourage everyone to seek out their passion and live boldly. Remember, this is the one life you have to live.
*Sips sangria*
Team MelanList
