Zareen Syed

Zareen Syed is an education reporter for the Chicago Tribune, covering issues that touch K-12 schools and colleges and universities. She also writes about campus activism and various student-led movements as well as narratives focusing on underrepresented groups. She joined the Tribune as a suburban reporter and has previously worked for NBC Sports, WGN-TV and Boston 25 News.

Chef Brian Lockwood sits in a dark red velvet booth in Gingie’s dining room on March 13, 2026, in Chicago. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)

Boka’s new restaurant Gingie from chef Brian Lockwood brings high-class cooking to an à la carte menu

March 18, 2026 at 4:25 p.m.

Boka Restaurant Group is unveiling a new restaurant March 26 brimming with whimsical details, a carefully concocted ingredient-driven menu and an ode to Chicago’s culinary history.

Volunteer Maryam Amin, right, hands a gallon of milk to a client at the ICNA Relief Food Pantry on March 5, 2026, in Glendale Heights. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Muslim-run food pantry in Glendale Heights helps neighbors but faces halal meat shortage during Ramadan

March 13, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

ICNA Relief Chicago sees staggering numbers of families in need of food aid throughout the year, but Ramadan often brings new challenges.

Suraya Osman, second from right, serves Samreen Ibrahim, second from left, at a community iftar hosted by the Muslim-cultural Student Association at Northwestern University on Feb. 23, 2026, in Evanston. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Muslim students at Northwestern University carve out a homey Ramadan with iftars and free meals program

March 3, 2026 at 1:53 p.m.

The last few years have seen broad changes in the Muslim student experience at Northwestern, specifically during the month of Ramadan, when observing students are fasting from dawn to dusk.

Chef Trevor Fleming, left, works behind the counter at Warlord on June 12, 2023, in Chicago's Avondale neighborhood. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

After chef-owner of Warlord restaurant in Avondale arrested, new Humboldt Park project faces backlash

February 19, 2026 at 6:07 p.m.

The allegations have brought scrutiny to plans for a second restaurant and highlighted long-running issues in how the restaurant industry addresses problematic behavior.

Raoul Adwan at his coffee shop, Thrd Coffee, in the Bucktown neighborhood of Chicago on Feb. 5, 2026. He and his employees chose to stay open on January 30th and donate 20% of their proceeds to the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR). (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)

Solidarity against ICE is not one-size-fits-all for immigrant-owned cafes and restaurants in Chicago

February 11, 2026 at 9:18 a.m.

Leading up to the national shutdown, many businesses took to social media to decry the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement actions, but explained they were not in a financial position to...

The Parsnip Factory performs as people eat at Mr. Pollo during a mini Taste of Belmont Cragin restaurant crawl on Oct. 28, 2025. Several businesses were highlighted by Belmont Cragin United during an event to help restaurants survive the recent immigration enforcement in the area. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

Chicago restaurateurs on 2026 dining trends: Community-driven recovery, global flavors, more craft mocktails

February 4, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

This year, many restaurants are hoping to recover from some of the economic woes of last year, while others are expanding their space to host community events.

Owner of Warlord restaurant in Avondale accused of sharing sexual images of woman

January 27, 2026 at 12:44 p.m.

Chicago police arrested Trevor Fleming, 41, early on Jan. 17 at his home, according to police records.

Chef Sujan Sarkar at his restaurant Indienne on Jan. 12, 2023. Indienne received Restaurant of the Year, the ceremony's top award. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)

Jean Banchet awards 2026: Immigration and community top of mind for winners at Chicago’s top local food awards

January 26, 2026 at 3:34 p.m.

Many of Chicago’s top chefs and restaurateurs gathered Sunday night in the Loop for the annual Banchet Awards to celebrate the excellence, depth and diversity of the city’s food community.

Tim Flores and Genie Kwon at their restaurant Kasama in Chicago, Feb. 17, 2022. Kasama is up for Outstanding Restaurant. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

More than 20 Chicago chefs and restaurants are 2026 James Beard Award semifinalists

January 21, 2026 at 7:10 p.m.

Winners will be announced at the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards Ceremony on June 15 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.

Trenton Harrison, of Bourbonnais, holds the trophy and a matcha drink he won at the Caleb Williams look-alike contest at The Wieners Circle hot dog stand in Chicago on Jan. 20, 2026. Contestants were evaluated on how much they resemble the Chicago Bears quarterback. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)

Wieners Circle crowns a Caleb Williams look-alike as a fitting end to the Chicago Bears playoff run

January 21, 2026 at 1:31 p.m.

The Wieners Circle was more of a cathartic, broken hearts club when it hosted a Caleb Williams look-alike contest as a love-letter to the Chicago Bears quarterback.

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