Episode Details
Back to Episodes
He Became A Chef At 15 To Buy Football Shoes | Shehab Medhat (E163)
Description
What 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 recognition
CHAPTERS
00:00 Childhood food memories and growing up in Egypt
08:00 Football dreams and starting work young
16:00 Becoming a chef at 15 years old
29:00 Working across 35 restaurants in Egypt
58:00 Bocuse d’Or Africa and competition pressure
01:13:00 San Pellegrino Young Chef and Egyptian breakfast
01:32:00 Winning Top Chef Middle East
01:38:00 Building Savryn and African fine dining in Dubai
FOLLOW THE GUEST
Chef Shehab Medhat
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/chefshehab/
Savryn Dining Room
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/savryn.diningroom
FOLLOW CHEF JKP
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/chefjkppodcast
LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-knight-paccheco-447b1b17
TikTok
https://www.tiktok.com/@jamesknightpaccheco
PROUDLY BROUGHT TO YOU BY VALRHONA
Valrhona 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-india
SUPPORT THE SHOW
Stay hydrated with the Chef JKP thermos flask.
Get yours here: https://pay.ziina.com/chefjkp/RKwVHDfpN
Follow The Chef JKP Podcast on Instagram HERE