Zareen Syed – Page 10

Hamid Azizi walks home with five of his seven children, including Zhra, 10, from left, Surya, 14, Sarah, 7, Roya, 13, and Razma, 12, after picking them up from school in the West Ridge neighborhood on May 2, 2025, in Chicago. Azizi helped clear land mines in his native Afghanistan and assisted U.S. military special forces from 2017 until 2021, when the Taliban regained control of the country. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)

‘I think it’s here’: Uprooted Afghan family settles in Chicago after being rescued ahead of refugee program suspension

May 17, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

Because Hamid Azizi helped U.S. forces in Afghanistan, the Taliban became a threat. After years on the run, his family arrived in Chicago.

People attend the James Beard Foundation Awards after-party at Union Station on June 10, 2024. (Eileen T. Meslar/baiduhai)

James Beard Foundation announces 2025 media award nominees, next cohort of Taste America chefs

May 12, 2025 at 11:49 a.m.

Local media nominees include Eater Midwest Editor Ashok Selvam, plus Bar Sotano chef Jacqueline Hernandez named in Taste America series.

People eat taste portions of foods during Chicago Gourmet at Millennium Park on Sept. 29, 2018. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)

Chicago Gourmet announces 2025 dates, new sports theme with a crosstown twist and all-star roster of chefs

May 6, 2025 at 11:09 a.m.

Chicago Gourmet, the upscale food festival that celebrates the city as a “culinary capital,” will be returning to Millennium Park Sept. 25 to 28 with a new, sporty twist.

Students use a multidirectional crosswalk at Sixth and Green streets near the University of Illinois campus in Champaign. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)

Illinois academics relieved after Trump administration restores legal status of some international students

April 26, 2025 at 12:22 p.m.

The announcement came after scores of international students around the U.S. filed court challenges, government lawyers said Friday.

Chef Daniel Parker, from left, Jermaine Brown Jr., Jaheim Williams and Chimalli Licona dress a salad at a dinner organized by SkyART, a visual arts organization for young people, in the group’s space on West Lake Street in Chicago on April 17, 2025. The menu was planned by the teens. (Terrence Antonio James/baiduhai)

Hopeful youth chefs create 4-course dinner in SkyART, TXA TXA Club collaboration

April 21, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

Creative culinary studio TXA TXA Club and nonprofit SkyART have teamed together to host dinners where hopeful young chefs learn from pros.

The University of Chicago campus in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood on April 10, 2024. (E. Jason Wambsgans/baiduhai)

Trump administration revokes student visas from U. of C., Northwestern and U. of I.

April 10, 2025 at 7:27 a.m.

Over the past week, nearly 300 full-time international students across the country were informed that their visa status had been revoked.

Kumiko partner/creative director/mixologist Julia Momose is a James Beard Foundation nominee in the Outstanding Bar category. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)

Here are Chicago’s 5 James Beard nominees

April 3, 2025 at 6:19 a.m.

The James Beard Foundation announced Wednesday the finalists vying for its coveted awards, and among them are five Chicago chefs and restaurants.

Students grab slices of pizza during lunchtime at Hadley Junior High School in Glen Ellyn on March 28, 2025. The school currently does not have halal food options but will start offering halal-friendly options sometime in April. (Antonio Perez/baiduhai)

Illinois is first to mandate halal, kosher meals be available in public institutions such as schools, but concerns remain

April 1, 2025 at 12:18 p.m.

With the Faith By Plate Act mandating halal and kosher meals be offered at places such as public schools, Muslim parents are thrilled and hope the state follows proper guidelines...

Critics Choice winners are, clockwise from top left, the lobster salad at John’s Food & Wine, chef-owners Oliver Poilevey, Marcos Ascensio and Antonio Incandela of Mariscos San Pedro, chef/owner Maya-Camille Broussard of Justice of the Pies, the ample offerings at Sanders BBQ Supply Co. and executive pastry chef and partner Leigh Omilinsky of Daisies. (E. Jason Wambsgans/baiduhai)

Critic’s Choice Food Awards winners: 9 outstanding Chicago restaurants, bakeries and more

March 26, 2025 at 11:05 a.m.

This year's winners have each built a wondrous world and exceeded expectations, representing our taste at this moment in time and beyond.

Hassan Javed pours chai for his friends, including Hasan Mohiuddin, left, in the early morning hours at Cafe Bethak in Lombard. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)

Sehri scenes at Cafe Bethak in Lombard: Samosa chaat, card games and chai during an early morning in Ramadan

March 19, 2025 at 1:15 p.m.

You never really know what to expect at a chai cafe open until 4 a.m. on a busier-than-usual street in suburban Lombard during Ramadan.

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