Chef Akhtar keeps this banana bread soft, simple, and naturally sweet with ripe bananas, honey, and a drizzle of agave. Hemp seeds and Greek yogurt add a little extra substance while the vanilla-honey Greek yogurt on the side brings a cool, creamy finish.
Chef Akhtar Nawab is chef and owner of Alta Calidad in New York. He is also a founding partner and CEO of Hospitality HQ (HHQ), a creative consulting and management group that offers bespoke solutions for culinary-driven concepts across the country. Nawab's innovative cooking has earned him critical praise throughout the years, beginning with his experience in the kitchen at acclaimed restaurants like Gramercy Tavern, Craftbar, and Craft. The Kentucky-bred chef of Indian heritage has embraced Mexican cuisine, connecting the layered, complex cooking and ingredients of Mexico with the Indian food he grew up eating. Nawab's debut cookbook, Good For You: Bold Flavors with Benefits, was published in August 2020.