Kofalida, a 23-year-old chef from Phnom Penh, Cambodia, always knew she wanted to be a chef. Growing up, her passion for cooking was unwavering, and she dreamed of one day working in a professional kitchen. In 2018, after graduating from high school, she set out to make that dream a reality.
She heard about a culinary course funded by Dubai Cares, offering scholarships to aspiring chefs, and immediately sought more information. With hope in her heart, Kofalida applied for the scholarship. A month later, she received life-changing news - she had been awarded the scholarship, bringing her dream one step closer to reality.
The two-year diploma program was everything she had hoped for. The first year was filled with hands-on training and an internship that gave her a real taste of life in the kitchen. She had the opportunity to intern at both a hotel and an air catering company in Phnom Penh, where she learned the ins and outs of the culinary world. However, as with so many others, her plans were disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic in her second year. The pandemic brought significant challenges, but Kofalida remained determined to complete her course and graduate.
In 2020, after two years of hard work, she proudly graduated and secured her first job at a small hotel in Phnom Penh. While it was a step forward in her career, this was just the beginning of Kofalida’s inspiring journey.
In 2022, her school reached out with an exciting opportunity: an internship at the Cambodia Pavilion for Expo 2020 in Dubai. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity was one she couldn’t pass up, and Kofalida eagerly accepted. Her time at Expo 2020 allowed her to showcase her skills on an international stage and gain invaluable experience. Once the Expo concluded, another opportunity opened up—a second internship at the luxurious Madinat Jumeirah hotel in Dubai.
Recognizing her talent and dedication, the team at Madinat Jumeirah soon saw her potential. Shortly after completing her internship, Kofalida was hired as a Commis Pastry Chef. From her humble beginnings in Phnom Penh to working in one of Dubai’s most renowned hotels, Kofalida’s journey is a testament to her hard work, resilience, and unwavering passion for cooking.
Her story is a shining example of how education can transform dreams into reality. Now, as a young chef in Dubai, Kofalida continues to hone her craft and dreams of an even brighter future in the culinary world.