Languages: Klingon, Federation Standard, Bajoran, Ferengi, Cardassian.
Interests: Culinary Arts, Business. Fine foods and Wines.
Bio: Z’an’dar, was born somewhere in the Alpha quadrant, the child of a Klingon frigate captain and his mate. The ship was damaged shortly after, and Z’an’dar was rescued by a Federation ship. He spent most of his childhood being shuffled from foster home to foster home, and quickly found that he could stay out of trouble by keeping himself in the kitchen. He spent a great amount of time in Louisville (Earth, Kentucky), nearly 6 years, the foster child of a chief. After being shuffled around until the age of 16, drat the red tape of bureaucracy, he left the Federation and struck out for his own people.
Z’an’dar, having no house and no battle experience, was regulated to cooking… which continued to keep him out of trouble.
He found his way back to Earth in his early 30’s, and continued mastering his skill with the cleaver and pot, relocating back to Louisville, Kentucky. When he was 35, Z’an’dar found growing weary of the same sites and same employers, and set out for a space station to work on the ‘docks’, but soon he began cooking for hungry travelers who passed through. He didn't have a restaurant then, but served folks on his own dining table in the living quarters on the station.
As more people started coming just for food, he got permission from the captain and moved into the commercial area of the station, opening a restaurant that seated 142 people. Over the next nine years, he perfected his secret blend of herbs and spices and the basic cooking technique that he still uses today. Z’an’dar's fame grew. He seemed to perfectly blend the culinary dishes of the cultures he encountered, putting a ‘home cooking’ spin on them that enabled other races to appreciate the taste. His legendary ‘Gagh and Greens’ earned him a Culinary Award from a prestigious culinary academy on Earth, while his Bar-B-Q Targ enticed customers by the thousands. It seemed that human could not get enough of this ‘strange Klingon food’, and it became a localized fad. Klingons who did try the food admitted that it wasn’t so bad, even if the meat was cooked. Realizing that he could broaden his customer base, Z’an’dar added traditional Klingon dishes to the menu, and then expanded to include Vulcan, Romulan and other cultures.
Over the next 10 years, Z’an’dar improved upon the dishes, and mastered the business side of things. He opened up a second restaurant back on Earth, and maintained his current one until the station was so heavily damaged during the Cardassian War that it could no longer function.
Z’an’dar, not wanting to settle back on Earth, decided to once again seek his fortune amongst the stars. He opted to keep his main restaurant open in Kentucky, but approached the Captain of Deep Space 12 with a business proposal: a formal restaurant to help bring commerce to the station.
The Restaurant, “Zans” can seat 220. It features Z’an’dar himself as one of two head chefs, alongside the renowned Perry DeLaCarte. Zans offers a wide variety of Earth cuisine, to include signature dishes such as Kentucky Bourbon Barbecue Chicken with a Garlic and Basil Scone; Butterflied Pork Lion Tender with Tamarind Glaze, Caramelized Sweet Potatoes and Green Chili Mole Sauce; and Key Lime Pie with a Graham Cracker Crust, and Key Lime Shavings. Also included are dishes such as Black Brined Targ with K’huhdzaz Sauce, and Pipius Claw sprinkled with Twice-Marinated Gagh; and Glazed Ferengi Slug Liver. Andorian Ale and Gamzian wine are served, as well as a host of other spirits to enhance your dining experience. The environment is casual dining, and reservations are not necessary, but welcomed. Please be aware that certain signature dishes may require up to 24 hours of preparation time. Dine in or carry out (we deliver) Proudly offering Lunch and Dinner, as well as Sunday Brunch.