Shyam Ghimire, a Nepali migrant living in Dubai, began his career cleaning toilets and washing dishes. Four years after arriving in the UAE, he is now one of the chefs at Naughty Pizza in Dubai.

Ghimire moved from Nepal to the UAE in search of better opportunities, a brighter future and the means to support his family. However, his childhood dream had always been to become a professional chef.

“I never allowed where I started to determine how far I could go,” he said of his journey.

A dream born in childhood

Ghimire’s passion for cooking began during his childhood in Palpa, Nepal. His father was a chef, and watching him work in the kitchen inspired Ghimire to pursue the same path.

“I always dreamed of one day building my own career in the culinary world,” he said.

But his early working life was far removed from that dream. Ghimire’s first jobs in Nepal involved cleaning toilets, washing dishes and carrying out demanding back-of-house duties at hospitality establishments.

When he arrived in Dubai in 2022, he continued doing similar work for some time — a situation that seemed far removed from his ultimate goal of becoming a chef.

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Starting from Scratch in Dubai

Like many newcomers, Ghimire had to find his place in an unfamiliar market. Without strong professional connections or sufficient local experience, he took on demanding manual jobs.

Recalling those days, he said: “There were days when I washed dishes and cleaned toilets. I reminded myself that I had come to the UAE to find opportunities and support my family. I tried never to feel ashamed of doing honest work.”

Rather than simply thinking about quitting, Ghimire tried to learn from his surroundings. He observed the chefs at work, gained experience and waited for an opportunity to enter the kitchen.

Progress, Step by Step

Ghimire did not become a chef overnight. His progress came through experience, training and a constant willingness to learn. Whenever an opportunity arose to improve his skills, he seized it.

“I always told myself that the job I have now is not necessarily my final destination,” he said.

The UAE’s diverse hospitality and restaurant industry gave him the opportunity to learn from people of different nationalities and backgrounds and gain hands-on experience in professional kitchens.

Gradually, the dream that had begun years earlier in Palpa evolved from a distant aspiration into an achievable future.

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“The UAE Gave Me an Opportunity”

Ghimire says Dubai was where he was able to turn his dream into a career. Working in the UAE gave him the opportunity to compete in a demanding environment, develop his skills and gain more practical experience.

Living away from home also helped him become more independent and taught him greater responsibility and patience.

“The UAE gave me opportunities to grow, for which I am deeply grateful,” he said. “This country taught me that if you are prepared to work hard, remain patient and continue learning, there will be opportunities to advance.”

Ghimire is now proud to be one of the head chefs at Naughty Pizza in Dubai. He says he values his current position even more because he has not forgotten where his journey began.

“I had no shortcuts,” he added. “I learned the hospitality and restaurant industry from the ground up.”

Giving Back After Achieving Success

For Ghimire, reaching his goal was not the end of the journey. He remembers the hardships he endured and the people who helped him along the way, and he now strives to support others whenever he can.

“The UAE gave me the opportunity to build my career, support my family and grow as a person,” he said. “That is why I believe that whenever I receive a blessing, I should share part of it with others.”

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Ghimire has covered part of the healthcare costs of families facing financial hardship and has also supported students whose families cannot afford tuition fees.

He said he understands how difficult life can become when illness affects a family and financial pressures add to their worries. “If I can ease even a small part of that burden, I feel it is something I should do,” Ghimire said.

Much of this assistance is provided without publicity or any expectation of recognition. Ghimire said these efforts are his way of expressing gratitude to those who supported him during difficult times.

“This is simply my way of giving back and thanking the people who helped me when I was still struggling and trying to build a life for myself,” he added. “I know I did not reach where I am today on my own.”

Ghimire’s definition of success has also changed over the years. Becoming a chef was once his only dream, but he now wants his success to mean more than personal and professional advancement.

“I want to play my small part in promoting empathy, social solidarity and helping one another,” he said.

“Pay kindness forward”

Ghimire also has a message for people who have recently arrived in the UAE: Do not be ashamed of your first job, do not assume that a difficult beginning means a difficult future, and do not abandon your dream simply because your first step seems far removed from your ultimate destination.

“Do not be discouraged by where you start,” he said. “The UAE is a land of opportunity, but you must be prepared to work hard to seize those opportunities.”

Ghimire said people may not always be able to choose where their journey begins, but they can choose whether to keep moving forward.

“Keep going, keep learning and never forget the people who helped you along the way,” he added. “When you are in a position to help someone else, pay that kindness forward.”