Big Zuu: From Grime Artist to Culinary Star
Having initially gained recognition as a grime artist and dabbled in the world of TV cookery, Big Zuu has recently captured the attention of a brand new audience, thanks to his participation in a top-rated show on the world’s biggest streaming platform. “There’s a different type of eye on me now, and people are seeing me in a new light. Most of my shows are quite cheerful and positive, creating what I like to call ‘Big Zuu’s World,’ where everything revolves around my passions and interests. However, this experience was much deeper and profoundly emotional,” he reflects.
We’re referring to Celebrity Bear Hunt, a reality show that has been dubbed I’m A Celebrity on steroids, where a group of well-known personalities is thrown into the wilds of the Costa Rican jungle to evade capture by survival expert Bear Grylls.
Unlikely Victories and Personal Growth
The rapper not only managed to survive but thrived, ultimately winning the entire competition, despite being surrounded by fiercely competitive personalities like Danny Cipriani and Boris Becker. “I never expected to win. I thought, ‘I’m definitely taking the mickey by being here.’ But I believed I could go quite far. I have a strong spirit and have overcome numerous challenges in my life,” he says. “It was incredibly tough; I never imagined it would be so hard. I thought, ‘Come on, we’re celebrities; they’ll let us take it easy,’ but they certainly didn’t hold back.”
Interestingly, some of the most challenging moments he faced during filming weren’t the threats of heat stroke, drowning, or encounters with wildlife (the closest he came to a dangerous animal was a prank involving a fake jaguar set up by his fellow contestants). Instead, the most significant hurdles stemmed from sharing a confined space with a diverse group of high-profile strangers, including Spice Girl Mel B, Strictly judge Shirley Ballas, TV presenter Steph McGovern, and flamboyant designer Laurence Llewellyn-Bowen.
“Living in a camp with total strangers, particularly those with strong egos due to their fame, created some intense moments,” Zuu admits. “However, everyone brought something unique to the camp, and whether it was positive or negative, it was essential. I’m grateful that we all emerged from it as friends. I learned a lot about myself; I gained insights into how my words and actions affect others. I can be overwhelming because I’m loud and boisterous, and my big personality doesn’t always gel with people right away.”
Zuu formed unexpected friendships, especially with Steph McGovern, his fellow finalist. “She’s an absolute warrior. It was incredible that we bonded and finished the show together on a high note. We had a blast. We even put on a talent show that didn’t make it into the final edit—I performed a rap about the camp, and Steph showcased her Irish line dancing skills. Una Healy serenaded Danny Cipriani with ‘Danny Boy,’ which was hilarious, and Shirley treated us to a little flamenco. It was fantastic! I also loved cooking for everyone every night; that was a highlight.”
The Culinary Journey of Big Zuu
Cooking is where Big Zuu truly shines. His show, Big Zuu Eats, has been delighting audiences since 2019, where he whips up three-course meals from a food truck for touring comedians and other comedic personalities. Guests have included notable figures such as Jimmy Carr, Josh Widdicombe, Mel Giedroyc, and Jonathan Ross. However, this culinary journey was never part of Zuu’s original plan when he first began sharing recipes on Snapchat. “I was just trying to promote my music and show people how to make a spaghetti bolognese,” he shrugs.
Big Zuu’s path to becoming the “grime gourmet” he is today began in his family kitchen on West London’s Mozart Estate, drawing inspiration from his Sierra Leonean mother and Lebanese father. “My mum is an incredible chef, so I grew up loving food because of her. I also learned a lot from TV. Sunday Brunch was simple to watch as a kid on Sundays, and I picked up many recipes. Simon Rimmer may not believe it, but he influenced me a lot, and we’ve become great friends.”
“In my teens, I was immersed in social media, YouTube, and cooking tutorials online, which led me to cook on Snapchat. That eventually evolved into a YouTube series, and subsequently a TV show…”
Dealing with Negativity and Embracing Wellness
Despite his social media success, the 29-year-old has faced challenges. “The negativity can be overwhelming. There have been times when I’d get really upset and respond to comments, letting it consume my energy,” Zuu admits. “Social media has a dark side. I receive many harsh comments and annoying interactions, but you learn to block it out over time. I’ve come to realize I can’t please everyone.”
He acknowledges that many people don’t expect him to read all the comments on his numerous social platforms, but he does. “I see them all. When people say mean things to me on Snapchat, I’ll reply with, ‘God bless you.’ Then they often respond with, ‘Actually, I didn’t mean it.’”
Zuu prioritizes his mental health and has recently taken on the role of an unexpected wellness guru, collaborating with Holland & Barrett as their (impressively quirky title) “Head of Funny,” to support a fundraising campaign for Comic Relief and to highlight how good nutrition and laughter—two areas where Zuu excels—contribute to well-being.
So, who or what brings the most laughter to Big Zuu’s life? “My friends are probably the funniest people I know. A very good friend of mine, Mr. AJ Tracey, is incredibly immature and reactive. When you put us in a room together, we’ll chat nonsense for 15 hours about things that don’t matter at all. That’s my favorite type of comedy,” he shares, referring to his fellow rapper and collaborator, who also happens to be his cousin.
Balancing Wellness and Culinary Creativity
Zuu regularly engages in boxing training, often followed by yoga sessions. “I love a cat cow, a downward dog, controlling my breathing, and stretching out my quads. My wellness non-negotiables are, unsurprisingly, food and music.” He surprises with his musical choices. “Music controls my mood. While I enjoy my gangster tunes, more often than not, I lean towards something uplifting. I’m pretty basic, to be honest. I sing ‘Never Say Never’ by Justin Bieber every day without fail because I believe it carries a vital message. And ‘Halo’ by Beyoncé is my go-to when I want to show off my singing skills.”
Cooking, he says, also provides mental relief. “Focusing on that one task for an hour or two is my main source of comfort.” His signature dish? Lasagne. “I make an exceptional red sauce. I cook my ragu for three hours to ensure it’s incredible. They call me the Roux Lord. When it comes to béchamel, I’m your guy. You need a wooden spoon to better incorporate the milk and really infuse the love. Then, season generously. I like to add hot sauce, mustard, three types of cheese, salt, and plenty of both black and white pepper. It elevates the dish to another universe.”
However, there are days when he indulges in the guilty pleasure of a takeaway. “I’d be lying if I said I never indulged in rubbish,” he admits with a smile. “But I strive to eat healthily. I always have fruit for breakfast. I absolutely love fruit and enjoy a bit of green tea. My lunch can be quite sporadic, but I usually aim for a balanced dinner.”
Embracing Ramadan and the Lessons of Fasting
Currently, Zuu, a practicing Muslim, is navigating the month-long fasting period of Ramadan. “Nothing passes my lips between sunrise and sunset. Just yesterday, I had tortellini and pesto at 4 am, which is a bit odd to eat at that hour,” he laughs. “While I do it for religious reasons, I believe everyone should experience fasting. There’s a wealth of studies supporting its benefits, but I believe in doing what feels good for you. Fasting cleanses your body and rejuvenates your system.”
He emphasizes that the benefits extend far beyond the physical. “Fasting cultivates appreciation for everything because you have a brief window to eat. It encourages self-reflection on your bad habits, whether that’s excessive phone use, swearing, rudeness, or dishonesty—it’s not just about food. You gain a deeper respect for everything and a greater care for the world.”
All the discipline and character-building focus that come from his religious practices have undoubtedly prepared Zuu for the transformative experience of Bear Hunt. “The challenges were extraordinary. Those once-in-a-lifetime opportunities—crossing a rickety bridge between two cliffs, being hoisted up from a cliff—allowed me to experience things I’d never do if I were just hanging out with my friends at home,” he reflects.
“It was a stressful situation that could have gone sideways, but everything worked out for me. I feel happy about it; it’s made me much more fearless and has strengthened my mentality regarding things I can’t control. It has imparted a level of resilience I didn’t possess before.”
“If I could get through that, I believe I can overcome anything.”
Big Zuu has partnered with Holland & Barrett as Head of Funny to raise funds for Red Nose Day and to illustrate how laughter and good nutrition create the perfect recipe for well-being. A portion of the proceeds from selected products from the new H&B Food range will go to Comic Relief.
