Shahrzad Shokouhivand

Shahrzad Shokouhivand (Persian: شهرزاد شکوهی‌وند; born 14 April 1986) She has gained recognition for blending French and Iranian culinary traditions, incorporating ingredients like pistachio, saffron, and sumac into French pastries.

Biography Her passion for cooking began in childhood when she prepared breakfast for her parents, which later guided her toward a career in pastry. In 2017, she completed a three-month pastry course at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris.

Career Shokouhivand founded Femme Chic, a patisserie in central Tehran's Enghelab Street, retaining the name of the previous handbag store. Her signature dessert, Baba Tabrizi, inspired by the Azerbaijani Akuri and created to mark the 20th anniversary of her father-in-law's passing, features cardamom and saffron syrup. Due to economic challenges, including high rents, this branch closed, and operations focused back on Femme Chic.

Instead of emigrating to Canada or Australia, she chose to remain in Iran, stating, "Only by working here can we change things in Iran."

Awards On 2 August 2023, Shokouhivand became the first Iranian female pastry chef to receive the Chevalier de l'Ordre du Mérite Agricole from the French Ministry of Agriculture. Femme Chic's proximity to the French Embassy in Tehran and frequent visits by French diplomats drew the attention of the Goût de France committee.