For Shyam Ghimire, building a future in Dubai began with the reality that success often requires starting in roles that others might overlook. Arriving from Nepal with the goal of supporting his family and pursuing a lifelong ambition of becoming a chef, Ghimire initially found himself performing physically demanding tasks, including cleaning toilets and washing dishes.
Growing up in Palpa, Nepal, Ghimire was inspired by his father, who also worked as a chef. This early exposure fueled his desire to build a career in the culinary world. However, his professional path did not follow a direct route. Upon arriving in the UAE in 2022, he continued to face the same back-of-house challenges he had encountered in his home country. Despite the distance between his daily chores and his ultimate goal, he remained focused on his long-term vision.
Reflecting on those early days, Ghimire noted that he never felt ashamed of the honest work he performed. Instead of viewing his position as a permanent state, he used his time in the kitchen to observe, learn, and absorb the techniques of the professional chefs around him. “I never allowed where I started to define where I could go,” he stated, emphasizing that he constantly reminded himself that his initial role was not his final destination.
His persistence eventually paid off. Through consistent training, hands-on experience in the UAE’s competitive hospitality sector, and a willingness to learn from diverse colleagues, Ghimire transitioned from a support worker to a leading chef at Naughty Pizza in Dubai. He credits the UAE for providing the environment necessary to grow, gain practical skills, and develop personal responsibility and patience.
“I’ve always dreamed of one day building my own career in the culinary world,” Ghimire shared. Having reached his professional goal, he now views his success through the lens of gratitude. He acknowledges that he did not achieve his position alone and feels a strong responsibility to support those currently facing the same hardships he once endured.
Ghimire now dedicates his resources to helping others, including contributing to medical and treatment expenses for families in financial distress and supporting students who cannot afford tuition fees. He views these actions as a way to honor the help he received during his own period of struggle. “If I am in a position to help ease even a small part of that burden, I feel that I should,” he explained.
His efforts are largely quiet and driven by a desire to foster a spirit of compassion and community. He believes that success is most meaningful when it is used to uplift others. “In my own small way, I want to contribute to that spirit of compassion, community, and helping one another,” he added.
For those currently navigating their own difficult beginnings in the UAE, Ghimire offers a message of resilience. He encourages newcomers not to be discouraged by their entry-level jobs or to lose sight of their dreams because the first steps seem disconnected from their ultimate goals. “The UAE is a place of opportunity but you also have to be ready to work for that,” he advised.
Ultimately, Ghimire’s journey serves as a testament to the value of patience and continuous learning. He urges others to keep moving forward, remain grateful for those who assist them, and eventually pay that kindness forward to the next person in need. “I did not have a shortcut. I learned the hospitality industry from the ground up,” he concluded. The report also notes that washed dishes, took tough jobs before working his way into the kitchen, he cleaned toilets. The report also notes that that dream has become his profession, four years after arriving in Dubai. The report also notes that like many newcomers, Ghimire had to find his place in an unfamiliar job market. The report also notes that he has begun asking what he could learn from it, instead of wondering how he could leave the job. The report also notes that observed, learned, and waited for his chance, he has watched the chefs. The report also notes that personally, life away from home has made him more independent and taught him responsibility and patience.
Source: Gulf News
