Daily Times

What would you do if you found out you only had a year to live? Twenty-nine-year-old chef Fatima Ali was posed with the same hard question and she answered it loud and clear.

“The only way I am going to beat this is through positivity and rallying people around me. I am so looking forward to this next year, because I’m surrounded with so much positivity. I’m so lucky to have friends and family like I do. We are going to be taking an entire tour of the world, eating all this absolutely delicious food. I know that’s the only way to get through this,” she had said.

Fatima Ali was no ordinary chef. She began her culinary career at Café Centro in New York. In 2012, she won an episode of reality-based cooking television game show series ‘Chopped’ on the Food Network channel and continued her career in NYC, becoming the youngest executive sous chef at Macy’s Stella 34 and then the executive sous chef at La Fonda del Sol.

In 2017, Ali participated in the 15th Season of ‘Top Chef’ and was voted the “fan favourite”. Only last year, in April, she cooked in public at the Pebble Beach Food & Wine Festival.

So we can say, Ali followed her heart, doing what she loved, pursuing her passion and tasting massive success on the way.

Fatima was approachable, lively and highly ambitious. I had asked her about her future plans and she went on and on telling me about where she was headed next and the amazing restaurants she’ll be heading as chef. She was so happy. And then something terrible happened. She was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma, which is a rare blue cell tumour. And on Friday, she breathed her last

I interviewed her shortly after she came out victorious on ‘Top Chef’ where she very excitedly shared all the pictures of the incredible and mouth-watering food she had prepared on the show and the meals that had won the hearts of the judges. She informed me about her experience on the show and what it felt to be a part of a group who shared the same passion as she did. She was over the moon. Ali was approachable, lively and highly ambitious. I had asked her about her future plans and she went on and on telling me about where she was headed next and the amazing restaurants she’ll be heading as chef. She was so happy.

And then something terrible happened. Ali was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma, which is a rare blue cell tumour. And on Friday, she breathed her last.

Bravely looking death in the eye, Ali had also appeared on ‘The Ellen DeGeneres Show’ in November last year, where she expressed her desire of travelling the world to dine in and eat at her favourite places globally.

On January 11, she posted a picture of herself in what appeared to be a hospital room, with her lying down and smiling through the pain. “I know it’s been ages since I posted and most may have figured out why. I’m sick and unfortunately, I’m getting sicker. Right now, all I need are prayers; prayers that are simple. I hope, because a wish is putting on too much responsibility on the other, that you will somehow find forgiveness in your big heart for whenever I must have hurt you. I thank you a million times over for when you have given me joy. I’ll try to keep everyone updated the best that I possibly can.”

The post left all her fans, Followers, friends and family members distraught and depressed. On Friday, when she lost her life, her family posted a heart-wrenching collage of all of Ali’s pictures, right from her childhood to her final months. They wrote, “Fatima was at home with us, surrounded by her loved ones and beloved cat Mr Meow, when she left us in the early hours of the morning. When someone as bright and young and vivacious as our Fati passes, the only metaphor that seems to fit is that of a star – a beacon in the darkness, a light that guides us, on which to make wishes, from which to weave dreams. For all the comfort and beauty they offer us, stars, too, are impermanent. This morning a great one was snuffed out. Live your life as she did – to the fullest. Pursue your passion; spread love and joy; be kind and forgiving; be generous; enjoy every morsel – from humble street food to decadent fine dining; cook for the people you love. Travel the world and seek out adventure. Help others and don’t be afraid to take the road less taken. Fatima will always be a part of us and in fact, if you look deep enough, you may find your own inner Fati. If you’re lucky enough to find her there, trust her, listen to her, because she will change your life for the better. We’ve learned a great deal over the course of her illness, not only pragmatic lessons we wish we hadn’t needed to learn about her disease and our health system, but about the immense love of which people are capable; about the power of being true to yourself; about how we can be better if we model ourselves after someone like her. We’re eternally grateful for the unending support, love and generosity shown by people along the way – from random strangers we passed on the street who would tell her how much they admire and respect her; to all her doctors and nurses who did their best; the chefs and hospitality friends who are now part of our extended family; and the big wigs that reached out to see how they can make her dreams a reality. This has been a truly humbling experience for us all and even in her last chapter as she began to leave us, Fatima showed us how we should live.”

Rest in peace Chef!

@BravoTopChef

We are deeply saddened to hear the news that Fatima Ali lost her courageous battle with cancer. Our thoughts are with her family at this time. People not only fell in love with her cooking, but fell in love with her personality and heart.

@radbrowndads

Inna lilahi wa inna ilayhi rajiun. Fatima Ali, of Top Chef fame, has lost her battle with cancer. I met her when she came as a guest on @seesomething. It was obvious immediately after meeting her how special she was.

@MichaelKugelman

Fatima Ali, the 29-year-old Pakistani-American celebrity chef, has passed away from cancer. I wrote about her some years ago. She’d hoped to launch kitchens in #Pakistan that serve cheap and organic food to the poor. What a tragic loss-gone way too soon.

@ShamaJunejo

Cancer took another wonderful life from the world. #FatimaAli you fought bravely but, I wish and I pray that we find cure of Cancer in our lifetimes.

@JeremyMcLellan

RIP Fatima Ali, Pakistan’s “Top Chef,” who died today after a long battle with cancer. We belong to God and to Him we shall return.

@tammyhaq

An amazing and inspirational young woman. Rest in peace @cheffati My love and prayers are with your family

@daanistan

Very sad to hear about the passing of Fatima Ali. A beautiful woman & an incredible chef. The KGS community will sincerely miss you, the Pakistani community will always take pride in you & the world will forever remember the joy food brought to you. May u rest in peace @cheffati

@NatashaKLondon

Really sad to hear of #FatimaAli passing away. RIP.

@ChristineBurr

“People not only fell in love with her cooking, but fell in love with her personality and heart” @BravoTV tells us of the passing of “Top Chef” contestant #FatimaAli

@AndleebAbbas

Heartbroken at the demise of the amazing @cheffati..Fatima Ali grew up with our kids n was n is the most brave n courageous girl we have known..I can feel the pain of the family n can just say that her legacy of living life with zeal n gratitude inspires all kids…#GodBlessings

Published in Daily Times, January 27^th 2019.