Discovered: Naushad
Ahamadally
"I got made redundant so I moved back with my
parents. It was a tough time. Nowhere to turn to for help
or support. I was going for jobs and competing with a lot more
people who had more qualifications..."
I left school without any GCSEs. It didn’t feel
the greatest. When I left I planned to go to college to take my
GCSEs but it never really happened. So I went from job to job,
doing stuff like labouring and temping in offices.
“I always enjoyed school. I wasn’t their star pupil,
but school was good. When I was at school I took food technology. I
was always interested in cooking.
“I was just frustrated. Trying to find my feet. I got made
redundant so I moved back with my parents. My dad is 83 and only
getting £27 a week. My mum was made redundant because of the
recession. It was a tough time. Very frustrating. Nowhere to turn
to for help or support. I felt like I was on my own. I was going
for jobs and competing with a lot more people who had more
qualifications and had been managers.
I had been out of work for about three months when I heard about
The Prince’s Trust. I was at the JobCentre and saw an advert. As
soon as I saw it I called them up and I was told there was a
position for me. I felt great. I’ve always enjoyed cooking. A
passion for food. But it was more of a hobby.
“I loved the course. It was based at Mosimann’s. We cooked a few
dishes, designed our own menu and experimented with flavours. It
re-lit my desire for cooking again. It opened my eyes about the
possibilities of being a chef. You get a sense of fulfilment out of
it.
“On the final day I spoke to Anton Mosimann’s son, Mark. A great
guy. I told him I would love to work for him. I sent him my cv and
three days later Mark offered me a job as a trainee chef.
“I literally had a big smile on my face for the next few days. I
just felt my life had finally come together. I’ve always been a
practical person, rather than just someone who sits behind the
desk.
I’ve been a trainee chef for about six months
now. Life is a lot better. The hours are long but I’m starting out
and learning the trade. I’m loving it. I’m as happy now as I was on
my first day.
My mum and dad are over the moon. They can see I enjoy my work.
And they get me cooking at home more as well.
“Mosimann’s also let me go to college one day a week. My
training will take another two years or so. One day I want to open
up my own restaurant.
“Without The Prince’s Trust I wouldn’t be here today. Someone
from The Trust used to ring me up and check I was ok. Even though I
was doing well, it was great to know there was someone to turn
to.”