There’s a symmetry between celebrated chef Azhar Mohammad and the elite golfers whose palates he caters to as the PGA Tour’s culinary captain.
Both live and die by precision. In the kitchen, an errant toss of spice can sink a dish. On the course, a millimeter of miscalculation can spell the difference between glory and grief.
That world-class obsession with detail will be on display Sept. 12, when Mohammad steps away from the links and into a new arena — the opening night of Jax Fuse, a three-day festival showcasing food, film and fashion.
The cuisine segment — featuring dishes from more than 20 tastemaking local chefs — kicks off the celebration Sept. 12, followed by film on Sept. 13 and fashion Sept. 27.
“There are so many exciting ventures happening here in our area, but they’re happening in silos. We have to do a better job of promoting the creativity of this region,” the national director of culinary operations for the PGA TOUR and TPC properties told The Citizen. “To bring food, film and fashion under one umbrella unites people with these common interests and propels the community forward.”
Hosted at The Link in Nocatee, the second annual festival aims to elevate and amplify Northeast Florida’s cultural standing.
For Mohammad, the assignment isn’t to prepare a menu. Instead, the chef will demonstrate the crucial art of plating — showing guests how the eye must find fulfillment before the stomach.
He honed his instincts in high-pressure executive chef roles at several Ritz-Carlton locations, including San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Grand Cayman.
Guests will sample dishes from across the globe, including Asian, African, Indian, Mediterranean, Caribbean, Italian and American selections.
The event also features a competitive edge. Awards will be given to standout creations in four categories: Most Creative, Best Seafood, Best Vegetarian and People’s Choice — the latter chosen by attendee vote.
Mohammad will be joined at the judges’ table by another prominent culinary figure, Ashley Amin, and The Citizen’s own Selim Algar.
Amin, who co-owns Fusion food truck, will serve some of her most popular staples — spiced potato patties topped with chutney and crispy noodles, and charbroiled chicken skewers marinated with spices.
“Events like Jax Fuse aren’t just about tasting all this great food, it’s about building something bigger together,” Amin said. “Food brings people closer. Every bite connects us to a business, a dream, a livelihood.”
Amin, who first learned to cook at her mother’s side as a child in London, went on to own five successful restaurants in San Diego.
Her creativity and exceptional culinary flair quickly made her the toast of the local restaurant scene.
The chef at the Grand Hyatt invited her to personally prepare meals for the Dalai Lama and his team during their stay at the hotel.
On another occasion, she received a call from the Secret Service asking her to close her Indian restaurant, Monsoon, so the King of Jordan and about 40 members of his entourage could dine there.
“They closed off the road and the Secret Service came inside and watched us as we cooked dinner,” she recalled. “They didn’t tell me it was the King of Jordan until after he left.”
Amin later moved to Jacksonville to marry her husband and launched Fusion — one of the region’s most popular food trucks, specializing in Indian, Thai and Mediterranean dishes.
Jax fuse’s food night runs from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $45 for general admission or $58 for VIP, which includes early entry and two drink tickets.
A cash bar will keep the libations flowing as guests move between tastings and art displays. Ten artists, predominantly painters, will be on hand to discuss their work with attendees.
With the debut year sold out, organizers vow an encore of Northeast Florida’s most flavorful showcase.
“Jax Fuse is more than an event — it’s a platform for connection,” The Link founder Raghu Misra told The Citizen. “By fusing food, film and fashion, we’re telling the world that creativity thrives here.”
