Sweet course of success

Hailing from Pakistan's Rahim Yar Khan district, for 25-year-old Adeel Ghafoor Dubai is all about equal opportunities

Three years ago, the dessert chef at Healthy Pattisserie took a leap of faith and came to Dubai at the insistence of his uncle who worked at Odeon Catering Services. Recognising his talents in kitchen, he was proposed the idea to work in a French kitchen. A quick learner and with an open mind, Ghafoor quickly learnt the tricks of the trade and today works in one of the best dessert places in town 'Healthy Pattisserie', which he joined in 2019.
"I have a flair for cooking - be it savoury or sweet. Back home, I used to cook daawat for me extended family of 70-80 during festivals. With a keen in learning more about the industry, I joined a hotel management course in 2015. I was trained for the front desk, but as luck would have it, today I am doing what I love."
Talking more about his journey to Dubai, Ghafoor adds that he did not have to struggle as much as others and his keenness and persistence to learn new things has been a major factor in his success story.
"My first test was to make a pancake, which I believe was good because I got the job at Odeon thereafter. I started training in the kitchen on various dishes. I soon became the head chef at Odeon ad hands-on experience at complete French food.
"As a South Asian we are inclined to cook with butter, flour, milk, eggs. It is an integral part of our diet. But today I make vegan, eggless and gluten-free desserts that are very popular in Dubai."
For him, this new way of cooking is an opportunity. "We are taught to be careful in the kitchen, understand the requirements of our customers."
Dubai means a lot to Ghafoor. He adds "This city has given me a lot. to learn and to experience. those opportunities that I may not get in Pakistan. Here you are allowed to demonstrate your skills. You aren't stopped from doing what you want to do. People are eager to train you here and also learn from you. Open-mindedness is very important and this you only see living among people who come from diverse backgrounds."