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My name is Adeel. I'm 42 years old and come from Gujrat, a city in the Punjab Province of Pakistan. I completed training in hotel management and worked in this sector for numerous years both in Pakistan and abroad. I initially work in construction after my return, but sadly I couldn’t earn enough money from that. So I went to look for another job.
The right recipe for success
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ConfirmThe right recipe for success
My route into catering
I decided to work in catering. At one point I even had a café in Gujrat. That was in 2008, before I left Pakistan, but I couldn’t even cook back then so I had to employ cooks and chefs. I found it difficult to manage the staff, set the prices and purchase the goods. That’s why I had to close the café.
It was clear to me that I’d have to do things differently this time. I wanted to learn how to cook. I wanted to learn how to set up and successfully run a business. Luckily, a friend told me about “Culinary Arts Training”: a cookery course organised by the Pakistani-German Facilitation and Reintegration Centre (PGFRC). I applied straight away.
This month-long course took place at the Institute of Tourism & Hotel Management (ITHM) in Faisalabad. The training course taught me all the important basics of cookery. This included aspects such as cooking methods, variations of recipes and basic knowledge about nutritional values and hygiene. I also learned some tips about managing staff. And I was taught how to create a menu, purchase provisions, plan my costs and solve problems.
I also took part in workshops designed to develop personality and build self-confidence, and I attended the training course on how to start a business. That taught me how to set up and successfully run my own business.
A new start with a snack van
The PGFRC provided me with a snack van to help me build up my business. I set the van up in Lahore, where the market is much bigger than in my home city of Gujrat.
I joined forces with Fayyaz, who had also taken part in the cookery course with me. Our business went well. But both our families lived far away and we wanted to be with them. We decided that each of us would return to their own city.
So I returned to Gujrat. The experience I had gained meant I felt ready to work on my own. I set up the snack van in a busy area in the centre of my city. That worked well: my snack van attracted lots of staff from the hospitals nearby.
At first, I did all the cooking and ran the business all on my own. Now that business is going well, I’ve employed two assistants. I marinate the food and prepare the sauces. My assistants do the cooking and sell the meals. That means I’ve got time to build my business.
Keeping going and trying new things
The menu contains fast food, including burgers and traditional meat dishes like shawarma kebabs. The business start-up training course taught me that you’ve always got to be prepared to try new things. That’s the only way to remain successful. So I’m experimenting with new dishes on the menu every couple of months.
I keep a record of which dishes sell the most and then I permanently add these to the menu. This helps me to get a better idea of my customers’ tastes and preferences. I can therefore offer them what they want. And my turnover increases.
I’m currently renovating my premises. I used to use the space as a workshop. Now I want to create a restaurant area with seating where guests can eat. I’m using the internet to advertise what I have to offer so that I win more customers. I’m still in touch with the team at the PGFRC. I’m certain that my business can continue to grow.
As of: 11/2022
This text is written in simple language to make sure it’s easy for everyone to understand.
Support with Adeel’s new start
The organisations involved in assisting Adeel with his new start include the:
- Pakistani-German Facilitation and Reintegration Centre (PGFRC)
- Institute of Tourism & Hotel Management (ITHM) in Faisalabad
Photo (left): Adeel also has business premises as well as the snack van.
Luckily a friend told me about 'Culinary Arts Training’: a cookery course organised by the Pakistani-German Facilitation and Reintegration Centre – PGFRC
Adeel
