Kulgam, July 02: Two siblings are making their name as prominent Kashmiri traditional wazwaan chefs while pursuing Masters degrees. The duo has specialised in the art of making delicacies like Kabab, Yekhni, Aab Gosh, Rogan Josh, Tabakh Maaz, etc and has earned a large fan base for their cooking skills.
Meet Adil and Zahid Mushtaq from Sopat, Tangpora, an area in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district, have employed ten others in the job.
Talking to Rising Kashmir, Adil said he used to go out with his late father who was a well-known waza (a traditional cook) in the area and beyond when he was studying in fifth grade.
“My father died of asthma in 2015, and I was too young to know anything about raising a family. Then my brother and I decided to face this struggle head-on,” Adil said, adding that his father encouraged him to pursue a career in cooking.
Adil is pursuing a Masters degree in Psychology and has a strong interest in the business. With a dearth of lack government jobs, both brothers decided to carry on their father’s legacy.
“There is no shame in working as a chef. If there is shame in anything, it should be in consuming drugs or engaging in evil activities,” he said, adding, “This is our legacy and we make a living for others too.”
His brother Zahid Mushtaq is also pursuing Masters in Sociology and is part of the chef team. “We don’t see a need for a government job. Ten other lads work with us to make a living. We are grateful to Allah for enabling us to provide for others as well,” Zahid remarked. “We used to enjoy a lot before our father passes away, but after his demise, the responsibilities rose and we focused entirely on our forefathers’ chef work.”
The duo exemplifies that despite odds, passion and dedication can bear fruits. “Education and passion for any work should be respected. Success comes after dedication and hard work,” the brothers said.
