Filipino Chef Aljon Fernandez Shares How UAE Upbringing Shaped His Identity and Career

Early Life and Multicultural Upbringing

Aljon Fernandez, a Filipino who was born and raised in the Emirates, says his family taught him the values of respect, hospitality and looking out for one another. Outside the home, the multicultural society introduced him to people of different nationalities, traditions and ways of life.

He told Gulf News, “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.

Culinary Career and Challenges

Fernandez chose a career in cooking after finding less interest in academic studies, seeing the kitchen as a way to express his creativity.

He notes that turning passion into profession required learning to handle pressure, stay consistent and meet the industry’s demands.

“The kitchen is a demanding environment and building a career in this industry requires discipline, sacrifice, patience, and consistency,” described Fernandez.

Long shifts and weekend work often mean missed time with family and friends, and there have been stretches when progress felt slow, demanding perseverance without clear payoff.

He said that more than twelve years of growing up and working in the UAE have been central to his development, describing Dubai as a melting pot of cultures that has let him learn from various culinary traditions, sharpen his skills and understand what an international audience expects.

“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.”

One setback came when a Filipino restaurant concept he had created did not move forward as intended. The project aimed to showcase Philippine flavours but was blocked by circumstances.

Having invested time and effort, the failure could have ended that ambition, yet encouragement from people across Dubai and the wider UAE helped him regain his footing.

He shared that the continued belief of others, their support for his cooking and the opportunities they gave him to share Filipino cuisine reminded him that a dream can still matter even if it does not unfold exactly as first imagined.

“Through the people who continued to believe in me, supported my cooking, and gave me opportunities to share Filipino cuisine, I was reminded that a dream can still have an impact even if it does not happen in the way you originally planned,” shared Fernandez.

The episode shifted his view of goals versus the path taken, showing that chances can appear unexpectedly and that a setback does not dictate what comes next.

Lessons on Identity and Community

Fernandez also helps fellow chefs by passing along professional contacts and job openings when they arise, extending the support he once received.

He promotes a more sustainable and health‑conscious approach to cooking, stressing balance and ingredient quality without losing flavour.

“As chefs, we have a responsibility not only to create food but also to be mindful of where our ingredients come from. Whenever we can, we look at sourcing ingredients locally within the UAE, particularly fresh produce, to support local suppliers or farms and reduce unnecessary transportation,” explained Fernandez.

He points out that professional advancement is rarely a solo effort; relationships, referrals and people willing to offer encouragement can be decisive, especially when plans shift or opportunities are uncertain.

Life in Dubai has helped him see identity as something formed by both personal roots and the surrounding environment.

His Filipino upbringing gave him a base of family values and respect, while living in the Emirates exposed him to many perspectives and his career taught him about discipline, disappointment and the need to keep moving forward.

His advice to anyone trying to establish themselves, whether born in the UAE or arriving later, is not to be ashamed of their origins.

“Never stop believing in where you can go. There will be challenges, disappointments, and moments when things do not happen as planned, but those experiences do not have to define your future,” said Fernandez.

He adds that an unexpected outcome does not have to be the final word; staying connected to one’s roots, learning from others and staying open to new possibilities can all shape what comes next.

“Sometimes, a closed door pushes you to create your own path.”