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From a Childhood Love of Cooking to a Professional Kitchen: Meet Chef Nizeyimana Elyse

Every professional journey begins somewhere. For Chef Nizeyimana Elyse, it began at home, where a childhood love of cooking, supported by his parents, helped shape his decision to pursue vocational training and build a career in the hospitality industry.

Behind every meal prepared with care is a person whose skills, dedication, and attention to detail help create a memorable experience. At Don Bosco Green Park, Kigali, Chef Nizeyimana Elyse is one of the people bringing this commitment to life.

His interest in cooking began when he was a child. At home, he enjoyed preparing food, and his parents noticed his enthusiasm. Their encouragement helped him recognize that his interest could become more than a childhood pastime. It could also be the beginning of a professional journey.

That early encouragement played an important role in his decision to pursue vocational education and develop his passion into a practical skill.

Elyse’s story reminds us that young people’s interests can be valuable starting points for learning, personal development, and future career opportunities when they receive encouragement and the chance to develop their abilities.

To develop his interest in cooking, Elyse pursued vocational training at Don Bosco Muhazi TVET School. His educational journey connected his personal passion with the opportunity to develop practical skills for professional work.

Vocational and technical education offers young people a pathway to learn skills that can be applied in real working environments. In fields such as cooking and hospitality, professional development involves more than knowing how to prepare food. It also requires discipline, cleanliness, teamwork, attention to detail, and a willingness to keep learning.

Today, Elyse works as a chef at Don Bosco Green Park, where he contributes to the establishment’s food and hospitality services.

His journey illustrates the value of recognizing an interest, pursuing relevant training, and applying acquired skills in the workplace. It also offers encouragement to young people who are considering vocational education as a way to develop their talents and explore professional opportunities.

A positive hospitality experience depends not only on the facilities available but also on the people who welcome guests and deliver services.

In the interview, Elyse spoke positively about his experience working at Don Bosco Green Park. He highlighted the way staff members are treated, the opportunity to rest, and the supportive relationships among colleagues.

For him, the working environment is an important part of professional life. When people feel supported and work together, they can contribute more effectively to the services they provide.

His perspective reflects an important principle of hospitality: taking care of guests begins with valuing the people who serve them. Cooperation, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to doing the job well all contribute to the guest experience.

At Don Bosco Green Park, the work of the kitchen team forms part of a wider hospitality environment designed to welcome individuals, families, groups, and organizations.

Elyse also has a message for young people who are thinking about their future. He encourages them to consider vocational and technical education, particularly culinary training, and to choose a profession they genuinely enjoy.

His experience demonstrates how a personal interest can guide someone towards learning a practical skill and pursuing employment opportunities.

However, developing a profession requires commitment beyond the classroom. Young people must be willing to practise, learn from others, maintain professional standards, and continue improving their abilities.

For aspiring chefs, this means understanding that cooking involves creativity and presentation as well as responsibility for cleanliness and food hygiene. Every stage of food preparation requires care, attention, and respect for the people who will enjoy the meal.

Elyse’s message is a reminder that vocational skills deserve recognition as an important part of personal development and the world of work.

International Chefs Day, celebrated on 20 October 2026, provides an opportunity to recognize chefs and the contribution they make to food preparation and the hospitality industry.

Chefs bring together practical knowledge, creativity, organization, and teamwork to prepare meals for people from different backgrounds and cultures. Their work requires dedication behind the scenes, from preparing ingredients and maintaining cleanliness to presenting food with care.

For Elyse and his fellow chefs, the occasion is also an opportunity to reflect on the standards that guide their profession.

His message to other chefs is straightforward: approach the work with passion, maintain cleanliness, and strive to do the job well. These principles are important not only for the quality of food but also for the trust guests place in a hospitality establishment.

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