Meet Victoria Nemati of Persian Roots

Today we’d like to introduce you to Victoria Nemati.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My name is Victoria Nemati. Born in Tehran and raised near the Caspian Sea, I learned to cook beside my mother and grandmother. After moving to America in 2000, I spent years refining recipes and creating my own sauces and dressings.

My journey took me from home catering to a hotel kitchen and, in 2018, to opening Caspian Kabob & Grill in Columbus, Ohio. Today, I’m building Persian Roots in Irvine as a private chef. As the name suggests, my mission is to share the roots, traditions, and authentic flavors of Persian cuisine across America, with an emphasis on fresh and organic ingredients.

I hope to offer cooking classes for children, adults, and aspiring restaurant owners, sharing the skills and passion behind my food.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
My journey has been filled with challenges. One of the hardest was leaving my family in Iran and moving to America. I first settled in Maryland, where I worked at Walmart for three years. Later, my family and I moved to Columbus, Ohio. I continued working at Walmart while cooking for friends and family.

Opening a restaurant was my dream, but the cost was a major obstacle. I began by renting a hotel kitchen and eventually opened my restaurant. Then the pandemic brought serious financial losses and a two-year closure. I worked in a pharmacy, but I never gave up on cooking.

I started again in a small kitchen, focusing on takeout and catering. During that time, I faced difficult family circumstances and financial pressure. Without a dining room, it was hard to present my food the way I imagined or introduce it to people unfamiliar with Persian cuisine.

I knew I had more to share. After exploring several states, I chose California for a fresh start. Through Persian Roots, I hope to introduce children and adults to the authentic dishes and traditions of Iran’s many regions.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Persian roots?
Persian Roots brings the warmth and traditions of Persian cooking to Orange County. As a private chef, I prepare authentic dishes inspired by the cities and villages of Iran, from regional specialties to traditional kebabs, appetizers, and sides.

What sets my cooking apart is my dedication to fresh, wholesome food and the care I put into every detail. I create my own sauces and dressings, drawing on family traditions while bringing my own creativity to each recipe.

I’m proud to share Persian dishes that many people may not have had the chance to discover. Through Persian Roots, I also plan to offer cooking classes for children, adults, and aspiring restaurant owners, passing on the skills and passion that have shaped my journey.

Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
I want to give special thanks to my mother, my grandmother, and my family. My mother and grandmother inspired my love of cooking and shared their knowledge with me, and my family has stood by me along the way. I’m especially grateful to my son, my biggest supporter. He encouraged me and helped me while I was building my business in Columbus, and even now that he still lives in Ohio while I’m in Irvine, he continues to support me from afar. His belief in me means the world. I’m also thankful to my friends for encouraging me along the way. One dear friend in particular has been a Wonderful source of support and I’m truly grateful.

Pricing:

• Private Chef: $65 per hour. Ingredients provided by the client.
• Luxury Private Chef Package: $165 per guest.
• Kids’ Cooking Classes, ages 10–15: Starting at $60 per child per session.
• Professional Cooking Course for Adults: $2,800 per person for 12 four-hour sessions. Learn approximately 24–28 dishes, including Persian kebabs and stews. Ingredients are not included in the price.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.persianroots.net
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/persianrootsofficial
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VictoriaNemati26
• Youtube: @ Persianrootsofficial
• Other: https://www.caspiankabobgrill.com