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SCHOOLGIRL Noor Dhafer Saffy has her heart set on becoming a chef when she grows up and put her passion for food preparation to the test at one of Bahrain’s leading hotels.
The entrepreneurial 11-year-old spent two weeks of her summer holidays helping in the main kitchens of the Kempinski Grand & Ixir Hotel, Bahrain City under the watchful eye of Executive Chef Stefanos Melianos, Chef de Cuisine Issam Seddoq and the kitchen team.
When Noor ventured into the main kitchen her first reaction was: “This is like the movie, Ratatouille!” (Minus the rat, of course!)
The British School of Bahrain pupil sampled the various parts of the operation including the cold kitchen, hot kitchen and pastry kitchen.
Chef Stefanos said: “She started off peeling potatoes with a knife, which was a new experience for her as at home she uses a potato peeler. We taught her the correct way to chop vegetables, cut bread, how to glaze cakes, how to handle fresh fish and so on.
“She also learned about the correct way of storing food. She said that prior to her experience at the hotel she had been reluctant to handle fresh fish but now she knows exactly what to do and isn’t afraid.”
During her stint in the kitchens the hotel celebrated Indian National Day in the staff canteen and Noor prepared the Indian dish of Aloo Chaat, which visiting VIP, Indian Ambassador Dr Mohan Kumar, tasted when he visited the staff canteen.
One of Noor’s most memorable experiences happened when room service orders came in and she could start helping to prepare the orders for guests. Her favourite TV show is Master Chef Australia.
Despite being only 11, the chefs thought Noor was a ‘very focused young lady’ and driven on building a career in the culinary arts.
During her two weeks tenure at the hotel she became even more determined to pursue her career and become a leader in the hospitality industry for Bahrainis.
Noor has done her research and after finishing school in Bahrain she aspires to study at a top international Cordon Bleu hospitality school, as well as have her own cooking show on TV, write a cook book and open her own restaurant in Bahrain … and eventually make it a chain!
Noor, who lives in Tubli Bay, plans to come back to Kempinski’s kitchens during school vacations. The work experience came about after her mum, Amal Ishaq Koheeji, was at a meeting with hotel management representing Tamkeen’s human capital development department, and happened to mention Noor’s career aspirations.
Amal said: “I was thrilled at the opportunity that my Noor had. From day one, the environment was professional, hospitable and caring; yet balanced with a determination to provide a serious experience, which would instil the right commitment levels in Noor.
Amal and her husband, Dhafer, who works in asset management, also have a four-year-old daughter, Mariam.
“Therefore, she was able to work long hours and develop a sense of appreciation for the profession of her dreams and was made aware of all the peripheral, yet essential skills, like safety, hygiene, time management and teamwork.”
A hotel spokesman added: “Wanting to help Noor get closer to her dream and also to promote the hospitality industry as a worthwhile option as a career for Bahrainis and Kempinski as a good employer, we offered Noor an opportunity to come and practice in the kitchens. She was absolutely delighted.”
