For many years, Mohammad Zaid Nazim Ansari originally belongs to Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh, but has resided in Pune, Maharashtra. Zaid Ansari was born on June 26th, 1995, in Pune. His family comprises his mother, Aasma Parveen, a homemaker, his elder brother Mohammad Shoaib Nazim Ansari, a baker, his elder sister Tabassum Ansari, and himself. He recently lost his father, Mohammad Nazim Sattar Ansari, due to a heart attack.
The Chef Diaries – Journey of Zaid Ansari
Zaid had always been passionate about baking. A particular reason why Zaid was attracted to this field is that he thinks that baking skills run in his veins as his family owns a bakery business and has been running it for many years in Pune.
Since childhood, he visited his father’s bakery whenever he used to get the time and helped his father in bakery chores, especially during the summer vacations. He used to reach the bakery before his father’s arrival. He considers those days as some of the best days of his life. He had discovered his passion and interest in baking at the time.
Soon, he realized that he wanted to be a pastry chef like his father. After that, he started to work in the bakery whenever he used to get a chance. Be it after his school or post-college hours. But his father didn’t want him to pursue a career in baking and confectionery. He wanted Zaid to become a doctor by pursuing MBBS. After completing his Senior Secondary School in 2014, he had to drop his idea of taking admission into a hotel management course for two years due to a financial crisis.
During these years, different phases in his life made him grow more passionate about baking. Finally, in 2016, he applied for a Diploma course in Hotel Management and Catering Technology from Maharashtra Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology, Pune, along with two of his cousins. Surprisingly, he was the only person who got selected for the course in the institute. It was a moment of happiness in his life, but life intermixed it with some complications.
Zaid was happy that he could finally enroll in his dream course, but his father didn’t want him to opt for the course. A point had arrived in Zaid’s life when his father strictly told him to cancel his admission, but he didn’t step back.
After paying his fees on August 21st, 2016, he confirmed his admission and completed his course successfully in 2019. While pursuing the Hotel Management course, he topped every semester and was a favorite of his teachers too! He got industrially trained by The Westin, Pune as a part of his internship and later got placed as a Chef in the Pastry Department of The Oberoi Hotel and Resorts, Mumbai, during the third year of his diploma course itself.
There were many challenges that Zaid had faced. Apart from parental pressure and dissent, one of the significant challenges he faced was carrying his kitchen kits, bags, and uniforms while traveling to the institute using a mode of public transport every day.
Zaid considers his father as his primary source of motivation since childhood. It is because he learned many things from his father while he used to help in the bakery. When Zaid used to prepare a particular dish in his practical class, he used to pack it and carry it back home so that his family could taste it as well. His mother used to give the dishes he prepared to his father for tasting, and this effort had melted his father’s heart. After recognizing Zaid’s immense talent and passion, his father grew proud of him and gave him more tips to make the dishes more delectable.
Zaid cherishes his team and believes it to be his backbone. Yash always guided him and supported him throughout his work. He encouraged him and introduced him to all the team members. Similarly, Abhimanyu also helped Zaid hone his skills. Yash and Abhimanyu have been with Zaid through the span of 2 years. They have become more like his brothers rather than just mentors. Along with the entire team, they are his pillars of support, and Zaid wishes to thank each one of them from the bottom of his heart.
Zaid firmly believes that if one is set out to pursue one’s passion, one must not leave it midway, no matter the situation. Working hard towards your passion will give a positive result in the future. Today he is working for a brand that many others dream of working with. Zaid is currently working as a Chef in the Pastry Kitchen of The Oberoi Hotels and Resorts, Mumbai, Maharashtra, since 2019.
Zaid also has a structured plan to start up his bakery and a restaurant in the future. He is constantly learning new skills to stay on top of trends and enhance his skill base. Truly, Zaid’s story is an inspirational one. If someone is filled with passion and a never-give-up attitude, one can fulfill all their dreams!
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