Shaheen Ziad Khalil, known as "Chef Shaheen," is an Iraqi chef, entrepreneur, and content creator dedicated to reviving and modernizing Iraqi cuisine for a global audience. Born and raised in Mosul, he took an unexpected career path, graduating from the College of Dentistry at the University of Mosul in 2018. During the war in Mosul, Chef Shaheen found solace and true passion in cooking, documenting traditional Iraqi recipes on social media as a way to preserve his cultural heritage. After graduation, he decided to pursue his culinary passion professionally, relocating to the UAE to establish his own brand, "Chef Shaheen LLC," in 2020, focused on delivering premium Iraqi food products. His high-quality visual content stands out for its storytelling, connecting each dish to Iraqi identity and history. Through his digital platforms, he has built a large community of followers eager to explore the rich culture of Iraqi cuisine.

Chef Shaheen was named to the Forbes Middle East 30 Under 30 list in 2023, a prestigious recognition highlighting his achievements as an influential young entrepreneur and his impact on the cultural and culinary scene through his work promoting Iraqi cuisine. He launched his own spice brand, "Shaheen's Spices," offering authentic, high-quality Iraqi spice blends. This initiative aims to make traditional Iraqi dishes accessible to a global audience, supporting his vision of sharing Iraqi food culture worldwide. In 2023, he published his first book, "The Iraqi Table," featuring a collection of authentic Iraqi recipes reimagined in a modern and innovative style, serving as a comprehensive reference for new generations and enthusiasts of Iraqi cuisine around the world.

Chef Shaheen earned a Bachelor’s degree in Oral and Dental Surgery from the University of Mosul, Iraq, studying from 2012 to 2018.