Alan Zeman, a Certified Executive Chef and member of the American Academy of Chefs, graduated first in his class at New York’s prestigious Culinary Institute of America, after learning the restaurant business "from the ground up" in his hometown of Chicago. Since settling in Tucson in 1975, he has served up Southwestern specialties at the Tucson Country Club, Arizona Inn, Sheraton El Conquistador Resort and Country Club, Skyline Country Club and DoubleTree Hotel and was twice awarded “Chef of the Year” by the Chef’s Association of Southern Arizona.

His own restaurant of eleven years, “¡Fuego!,” was voted “Tucson’s Best New Restaurant in the 1998 Zagat Survey, and was a perennial recipient of “The Wine Spectator Award of Excellence.”

Chef Zeman enjoys showing off his flair for the dramatic. ¡Fuego! (Spanish for “fire”), was named for one of his signature dishes, a flaming concoction of Jumbo Scallop, Shrimp, Chorizo, Onions, Peppers & Garlic brought to the table on a sizzler, set ablaze with Tequila, and extinguished with a sprinkle of “Sonoran Seasoning.”

Zeman’s bold and innovative style emerges from his conviction that eating should be fun, but not pretentious. “I like to bring the kitchen aromas and action right into the dining room” says Zeman. “ That makes the dining experience more entertaining.”

Chef Zeman is now a full time Chef Consultant performing cooking classes and demonstrations with his gourmet product line Southwestern Originals, and the RATIONAL Self Cooking Center all over the world. His Southwestern Originals line of sauces and seasonings replicate the flavors of his southwestern cuisine dishes. His Prickly Pear Barbecue Glaze, a grilling sauce for seafood, poultry and vegetables. Fuego Red Seasoning, a spicy fusion of aromas, herbs, and spices and Sonoran Seasoning Spice Blend, an all-purpose seasoning of herbs and spices available with or without salt, are sold by the bottle or by the case.

Tune in, in their tenth year, as Zeman discusses “food, wine and the dining experience” with co-host Richard Tyler of “Metro Restaurants,” on their weekly radio talk show. “The Z-Man’s Restaurant Corner” airs in Tucson Arizona on Thursdays 5:00-6:00 PM on AM 1330 The “JOLT” The show can also be heard streaming at tucsonsjolt.com.