Born in Chicago, Ji started building flavor from a very young age. Mom’s kitchen was his first training ground. By age 10 he and “Chef Mommy” moved to New Orleans, together sampling the local cuisine and experimenting with it at home. Ji did a lot of fishing, crabbing, and small-game hunting with friends, thereby learning the value of using only the freshest ingredients. This early exposure to a world of diverse food culture would drive his culinary interest later in life. 

Back in the Chicago area, as a teen, his early jobs were mostly national chains (i.e., Ponderosa Steakhouse, Red Lobster, Ruby Tuesday) where Jihad started in humble roles like dishwasher and busboy, eventually server and host, and finally found his way onto the line as a cook at age 16. 

Later in life, he worked for food service and culinary agencies like Food Team, Service Is Us, and Sodexo, where he learned in cafeterias, institutional kitchens, and Special Events. 

More specialized learning came from working with the notable chefs of Phil Stefani Signature Events, Hyatt Regency Caterers, Blue Plate Catering, and Lettuce Entertain You restaurants. 

Jihad has worked in some of the top venues in Chicago, including The Signature Room on the 95th floor of Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower), Soho House (in the West Loop), Karyn’s On Green (Green Street in the West Loop), Chicago Catering Company (the special events department of UIC), Levy (Navy Pier’s exclusive food, beverage, and hospitality partner), Stringz Ramen (The first 100% Ramen restaurant in Chicago), The Park Grill (The only restaurant in Millenium Park under the bean), Haymarket Pub & Brewery (The West-loops' original beer pub), The Ogden (A favorite NBA hangout a block East of the United Center), and more. 

Known to never run from a food fight, Jihad enjoys culinary competitions and is a regular supporter and occasional participant in Culinary Fight Club, where he was the People’s Choice winner in July 2014. 

Jihad has catered events for notable Chicago organizations like Men for a Better Lawndale, One Economy, and the late Maggie Daley’s program - After School Matters.  Recently, he began promoting Food by Design in Rockford, IL, to extend his brand, vision, and great food to the Rockford area. Most recently, Executive Chef at The Rock Public House at 120 N. Union St., Byron, IL.