Brief
Filipino expat Aljon Fernandez reflects on UAE upbringing and culinary career
Fernandez says the UAE’s multicultural environment taught him to value his heritage while adapting to diverse culinary expectations.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Aljon Fernandez, a Filipino-born chef who has lived in the United Arab Emirates for more than 12 years, told Gulf News that growing up in Dubai’s multicultural society helped him develop a strong sense of identity and a broader cultural perspective.
What happened
Fernandez was born and raised in the UAE, attending local schools and absorbing the daily mix of languages, traditions and cuisines. He later chose cooking as a profession, citing a preference for creative work over academics. Over the years he has worked long hours, including weekends, and has faced setbacks such as a Filipino restaurant concept that never opened.
What the reports add
Gulf News notes that Fernandez attributes his resilience to the UAE’s “melting pot” atmosphere, which taught him to appreciate differences while staying proud of his Filipino roots. He also describes the kitchen as a demanding environment that requires discipline, sacrifice, patience and consistency.
What was said
"Being born and raised in such a multicultural environment taught me to appreciate differences. It made me proud of my Filipino heritage while giving me a broader perspective on culture and identity," Fernandez told Gulf News.
"The kitchen is a demanding environment and building a career in this industry requires discipline, sacrifice, patience, and consistency," he said.
"Growing up and working in the UAE for more than 12 years has played a major role in my development. Dubai is a melting pot of cultures and working in this environment has allowed me to learn from different culinary traditions, develop my skills, and understand the expectations of an international audience," Fernandez added.How it came about
Fernandez’s story follows earlier Felo News coverage of Filipino expatriates in the Gulf, including a profile of Romuald Perey’s career shift in Dubai (Filipino expat credits Dubai for turning his career around) and the growth of community groups such as the Filipina Mum Club UAE (Filipina Mum Club UAE helps Filipino mothers build support networks). These pieces illustrate a broader pattern of Filipino residents leveraging the UAE’s diverse environment for personal and professional growth.
Key facts
- Aljon Fernandez was born and raised in the UAE and has lived there for over 12 years. (gulfnews.com)
- He chose a culinary career, describing the kitchen as demanding and requiring discipline and consistency. (gulfnews.com)
- A planned Filipino restaurant concept he developed did not open, representing a notable setback. (gulfnews.com)
- Fernandez says the multicultural UAE environment taught him to appreciate differences while staying proud of his Filipino heritage. (gulfnews.com)
Sources
- [1] gulfnews.com — originally reported as “How life in the UAE shaped a Filipino expat's perspective on culture and resilience”
