He Became A Chef At 15 To Buy Football Shoes | Shehab Medhat (E163)

Send us Fan MailWhat does it take to turn pressure into purpose before the age of 26?Chef JKP sits down with Shehab Medhat, Chef of Savryn Restaurant in Dubai, whose journey began at 15 with a kitchen job he took just to buy football shoes.From steward to self-taught chef, 35 restaurants in Egypt, Bocuse d’Or Africa, San Pellegrino Young Chef, and winning Top Chef Middle East, his story is built on sacrifice, speed, competition, and relentless work.Now in Dubai, Shehab is building Savryn as a fine dining journey through Africa, shaped by family responsibility, ambition, and the belief that African cuisine deserves a much bigger place on the world stage.WHAT YOU WILL HEAR IN THIS EPISODE• Why Shehab chose kitchens over football at 15• Working across 35 restaurants in Egypt before turning 26• Teaching himself menus, stations, and fine dining techniques• The pressure and obsession behind culinary competitions• Losing Bocuse d’Or Africa by one point and coming back stronger• Winning Top Chef Middle East after years of trying• Building Savryn around African fine dining in Dubai• Why he believes African cuisine deserves global recognitionCHAPTERS00:00 Childhood food memories and growing up in Egypt08:00 Football dreams and starting work young16:00 Becoming a chef at 15 years old29:00 Working across 35 restaurants in Egypt58:00 Bocuse d’Or Africa and competition pressure01:13:00 San Pellegrino Young Chef and Egyptian breakfast01:32:00 Winning Top Chef Middle East01:38:00 Building Savryn and African fine dining in DubaiFOLLOW THE GUESTChef Shehab MedhatInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com/chefshehab/Savryn Dining RoomInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com/savryn.diningroomFOLLOW CHEF JKPInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com/chefjkppodcastLinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/james-knight-paccheco-447b1b17TikTokhttps://www.tiktok.com/@jamesknightpacchecoPROUDLY BROUGHT TO YOU BY VALRHONAValrhona partners with chefs and artisans to elevate chocolate through craftsmanship, innovation, and a commitment to a more sustainable cocoa industry.Website:https://www.valrhona.com/en/valrhona-middle-east-africa-and-indiaSUPPORT THE SHOWStay hydrated with the Chef JKP thermos flask.Get yours here: https://pay.ziina.com/chefjkp/RKwVHDfpNSupport the showFollow The Chef JKP Podcast on Instagram HERE