He grew up chasing a hockey ball and carrying college teams on his back. Fast, sharp, unstoppable. His family was sure he would play at the national level one day.

Becoming a star athlete was the dream.

But like any 17-year-old looking to support their parents, with no more than a couple of odd jobs to their resume, he walked into the Intercontinental Hotel in Karachi, to score a receptionist position.

Behind the front desk, past the quiet lobby, was a world he had never imagined. The roar of stoves, the rush of orders, and the fire and energy of a kitchen in full swing. One of the senior staff caught the look in his eyes, the spark of someone who had just discovered his calling. 

with a single offer – “Come inside, learn this work”, his entire life shifted.