When Patrick Ishimwe first told his mother he wanted to spend time in the kitchen, her response was a common stereotype that; “The kitchen is for girls".

‎Instead of demoralising him, that single statement became the spark that fuelled his determination to prove her wrong.

‎Now three months into a Food and Beverage Production course at Kabarak TVET, Ishimwe is boldly curving out his path as an aspiring chef.

‎”I liked cooking even at home but my mom always its only for the women. I wanted to prove to her that I could even do better than my sisters,” he reveals.

Ishimwe, the only son among three sisters, chose not to let his mother’s doubts, or society’s stereotypes, hold him back. Instead, he joined Kabarak TVET with a bold heart.

‎Although he is still experimenting with dishes, Ishimwe says he finds joy in preparing meals like rice with chicken stew and a fresh fruit salad.

His family has already started noticing the transformation, especially after he surprised them with tropical rice served alongside a unique stew.

‎“They were so happy. They told me if this is what I have learned, then there’s a lot more to come,” he says with a smile."

‎Ishimwe’s journey has not been without challenges. Coming straight from high school, he relied on both his mother and a supportive family friend to pay his school fees.

‎“I always say chances come once. So for me, I grabbed this one," he explains.

‎He notes that at Kabarak TVET, he has found a kitchen environment that excites him: modern equipment, a large training space, and classmates who push each other to improve.

‎"My dream is to one day work in leading hotel establishments like Merica Hotel, where I once visited for orientation and was inspired by the professionalism of the chefs and managers. I would also want to work in the Sarova group of hotels," he states.

‎ So what keeps Ishimwe going?

“In my family, there is no chef. I’m the first to join university-level training. I want to show that it doesn’t matter if you’re first or last-born, or whether people doubt you. If you put love and effort into what you do, you will prosper,” he says.

‎Already, his friends are starting to call him whenever they need food at events.

To Ishimwe, this is just the beginning of proving that the kitchen is a place where passion, creativity, and determination can make anyone thrive.

Kabarak TVET student follows his passion for hospitality despite mother's discouragement

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Purity Kinuthia