Sam Zien

Samuel D Zien (born August 7, 1959), known as Sam the Cooking Guy, is a Canadian-born American television cook, YouTuber, restaurateur, and cookbook author, based in San Diego, California.

Television career Zien's career in television began after quitting his job as an executive for a San Diego pharmaceutical company. In 2001, after a poorly timed effort to begin a career in travel television which was derailed by the September 11 attacks, he switched his focus to a cooking show. He produced his own test screening and distributed the tape to local San Diego television stations.

Restaurants In July 2018, Zien opened his first restaurant - Not Not Tacos - a casual dining establishment featuring Zien's unique take on non-traditional tacos. Located within the Little Italy Food Hall in the Little Italy area of downtown San Diego, Zien serves tacos such as Korean Short Rib, Pulled Pork with Macaroni and Cheese, Seared Salmon, and Meatloaf.

In March 2020, Zien opened a second restaurant in the Little Italy Food Hall, called Graze by Sam. The restaurant closed May 2024.

Zien, in partnership with Grain & Grit Collective, opened a third also located in the Little Italy Food Hall, called Samburgers in 2021.

In 2023, Zien opened a fourth restaurant in the Little Italy Food Hall, called CooCoo's Nest. It is a fried chicken outlet with a "70's flair."

Zien announced in January 2025 that he was stepping away from the restaurant industry and would no longer a partner in Samburgers, Basta, or Not Not.

Cookbooks Zien has written five cookbooks. All were published by John Wiley & Sons except this most recent book was published by Countryman Press: Just a Bunch of Recipes (2008, ) Awesome Recipes and Kitchen Shortcuts (2010, ) Just Grill This! (2011, ) Sam the Cooking Guy: Recipes with Intentional Leftovers (2020, ) Sam the Cooking Guy: Between the Buns: Burgers, Sandwiches, Tacos, Burritos, Hot Dogs & More (2022, )