Hardworking, talented | Naz Ali has managed to successfully juggle two careers – one as a restaurateur and another as internationally known DJ Nasty Naz.
By LAVERNE STEWART
stewart.laverne@dailygleaner.
THE DAILY GLEANER/STEPHEN MACGILLIVRAY PHOTO
FULFILLING WORK: Naz Ali runs his downtown restaurant, Caribbean Flavas, and is also a DJ — DJ Nasty Naz — who often records live shows for syndicated radio programming heard in Toronto, Calgary, the Netherlands and New York City.
He loves to feed you — body and soul.
The lunch crowd at Caribbean Flavas is just leaving and Naz Ali is able to leave his openconcept kitchen and come into the dining area for a chat. He’s been up since dawn. Ali won’t stop until sometime in the wee hours of tomorrow but he’s not complaining. Ali loves the crazy hours he keeps.
As a restaurateur and DJ, he’s having a love affair with his dual careers. Because he often works 18-hour days in demanding, albeit fulfilling occupations, he doesn’t have time for a relationship presently, he says. If and when it does happen, it will have to be with someone who is involved in some way with the industry and who understands the demands on his time.
“Food and music are my girlfriends,” says Ali.