Hard work pays off for Pinoy chef in London

LONDON – A Filipino chef continues to look back at his humble beginnings that became the springboard to his successful career in London.

“Mahirap na masarap ang buhay ko kasi naging dishwasher ako, nawalan ako ng trabaho, buntis pa yung asawa ko hanggang nakuha ako ng Diamond Hotel,” said Chef Arlan Rivera.

During his stint at the Diamond Hotel in the Philippines, he became the Grand National champion in bartending.

His skills caught the attention of the managing director of Benihana Restaurant, a popular Japanese restaurant in the United Kingdom, and he was offered a job in 2007.

He has since worked for several other Japanese restaurants in the UK.

“Iba-iba na rin restaurant ang pinasukan ko,” he said.

Currently, Rivera is working as the executive chef of Savoy Hotel in London.

“Ang main job ko ngayon is Savoy Hotel, which is historical hotel dito sa London," he said.

Rivera recently gave a cooking lesson at the Saladmaster Healthy Cooking Program where his menu list was composed of a mix a mix of Chinese, Indian, African and Filipino food.

His climb to the top has become an inspiration to many Filipinos who also aspire to become successful in their own careers. Report from Babo Gamboa, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau