Emirati born Sahar Parham al Awadhi is the Head Pastry chef for the world re-known 7 star hotel - The Burj al Arab.
https://www.jumeirah.com/en/stay/dubai/burj-al-arab-jumeirah
The love of food stems from her mother, during early childhood the family were always trying new places and flavours that would lead to new experiences.
The chef describes her mother as her "best and worst critic".
Before settling into a kitchen, Sahar studied at the American university in Sharjah, UAE, where she went on to get a degree in Communications and Design management followed by working in a role of Marketing and PR, although it wasn't until a certain conversation with her boss, that the chef spark was truly ignited.
Her first dabble into a professional kitchen would be with none other than pastry guru Liz Stevenson.
Which then led to her very first job in none other than La Serre with the charismatic chef - Izu Ani in 2014 in the well known Dubai eatery - La Serre.
http://www.yseventy7.com
This gave the young chef a real insight of the culinary world, it did at times take it's toll, mentally and physically, none the less giving up was never going to be an option.
2 years later, the opportunity of a lifetime presented itself, in the way of an open day at Burj al Arab, Sahar joined as a junior sous chef, 4 years down the line she now heads up the entire pastry department, quite an achievement in such a short space of time.
If being the first female head chef to join the hotel wasn't enough, she has also paved the way for other Emiratis in the thriving food scene of the ever expanding culinary landscape of Dubai.
Within just 6 years, Sahar has truly pushed herself to be at the very top of the game, this was achieved by having an incredible work ethic consumed by fulfilling a dream of working within the hospitality industry.
A truly inspirational home grown talent !
To see what Sahar is doing - you can follow her on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/saharyp/
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