TikTok food creator Ahmad Alzahabi invites 5.9 million followers into his kitchen every week. The Syrian American posts instructional videos from his home in Flint, Michigan, sharing how to create some of his favourite dishes. Known as @TheGoldenBalance on social media, he has also racked up another 1.8 million fans on Instagram. Alzahabi’s recipes range from TikTok trends to global cuisines and his own spin on popular dishes such as Jamaican jerk-flavoured mac and cheese. The social media sensation has garnered the attention of some of the biggest celebrities in the world, including ‘Good as hell’ singer Lizzo who even quoted his signature signoff. He also educates his huge fan base about his Muslim faith, and in April 2022 he broke down the meaning of Ramadan and what it meant to him in a video that has been viewed over 870,000 times. His videos are often a family affair and showcase his mother’s recipes while his father is the chief taster.

Born and raised in Flint, the TikTok superstar began his culinary career when he was a young child, and his mom always welcomed his help in the kitchen. When his parents moved overseas he began to cook for himself and started to post his videos on TikTok. Now one of social media’s brightest young cooking stars, Alzahabi believes the best way to teach people about different cultures is through food.