New Private Chef In Dubai: Ramzy Eid Cooking Up A Storm With His 6-Course Meals This Ramadan

(MENAFN- Khaleej Times)

After finding himself unemployed and relocated all of a sudden, Ramzy dabbled with a few side hustles before becoming a full-time private chef.“I really missed cooking so I wanted to get back to it by any means. I started calling friends and family over. They would bring some guests,” he adds. Soon, by word of mouth, the chef started getting clients who'd ask him to come and cook dinner at their home for certain occasions. After spending some time in Africa as a live-in private chef, Ramzy finally landed in Dubai in April 2021. The chef has since been cooking fine-dining meals at people's homes, including specially-curated iftar meals for the holy month of Ramadan.

Being a private chef has been a fairly new avenue to explore for Ramzy but running his own kitchen had always been a dream.“Depending on what the menu comprises, how much the ingredients cost, how long it would take to prepare, I come up with a price per person. Let's say some people want to have dinner at 9pm, I'll be there at 10am to start preparing if it's a six-course meal for around 10 people.” Contrary to restaurant kitchens, the meals in Ramzy's kitchen are prepared by the chef alone. The idea of managing the work of four to five people all alone may seem daunting but to the chef, it's rather therapeutic.“I just make a list of what I need to get done first and work accordingly. I always have music in the background. Once I get in the flow, there's nothing in my mind anymore besides cooking,” adds Ramzy.

While it was a complete change of plan from what he originally set out to do, Ramzy admits he has been enjoying the benefits that come with being part of the gig economy. Even more so in the post-pandemic world, where poor employee mental health has been amongst the primary factors triggering the great resignation. While many staffers were let off due to the onset of the pandemic, the ongoing economic trend suggests people have voluntarily been quitting their jobs across the globe, signalling a need to be their own boss. For Ramzy, being a private chef has allowed greater flexibility and better pay.“It's a lot more relaxed. There are no limits to what I can do. There's no set menu so I can be as creative as I want, without any repetition.”

While there are many advantages to the entrepreneurial spirit, there are also certain challenges one needs to keep in mind.“Being a private chef doesn't always guarantee a stable source of income. Some months will be better than others. In slow periods, I host dinners at home, inviting my friends over and they bring guests along, to keep the momentum going.” For young chefs looking to go down this route, Ramzy recommends it's imperative to get some work experience first.

“If you just start off as a private chef, you won't know what the job demands. It's important to work in restaurants first,” says Ramzy, adding that he wouldn't mind going back to working in a restaurant to gain experience as head chef.“My goal, hopefully, in the next five years, is to open my own restaurant and see how that works,” mentions the chef, who'll soon be running the kitchen for a new pop-up concept for Pinch Gourmet, Dubai, as a supper club.

With Eid Al Fitr right around the corner, we ask him what his ideal festive meal would look like.“It should definitely involve the family coming together as that's the true essence of Eid. So, I'd cook something that brings everyone together, something like whole fish or maybe a lamb leg, with little starters on the side. For example, I'd make traditional Kafta balls but with an Italian twist, adding marinara sauce. And for a vegetarian option, I'd prepare skewers of mozzarella and tomato with pesto. Or tofu, if you're vegan,” Chef Ramzy signs off.

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