Born in Chicago, Jihad started cooking and building flavor very early. Mom’s kitchen was his first training ground. By age 10 he and “Chef Mommy” moved to New Orleans. Together they sampled the local cuisine and began experimenting with it at home. Jihad 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 and exciting flavors would become the backdrop and foundation that would drive his culinary interest. 

As a teenager back in the Chicago area, 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 on to the line as a line cook at age 16. 

Later in life, he worked for food service and culinary agencies like Food Team, Service Is Us, Inc., 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 for both restaurant dining and special events, including The Signature Room restaurant on the 95th floor of Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower), Soho House Chicago (the International Hotel and Club chain on Green Street in the West Loop), Karyn’s On Green (fine dining vegan restaurant formerly on 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. 

Currently, Jihad operates a food service consulting and catering business called Food By Design - Chicago and 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 marketing the business in Rockford, IL as Food by Design - Rockford with the purpose of extending the 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.