Sometimes, life deals you a hand where you have to make the best out of your circumstances. For Ali Mohammad of Lyari, this meant leaving his home in Karachi behind and taking over his brother’s food business in Meena Bazaar, Dubai.
Ali Mohammad runs a food establishment in Meena Bazaar, a famous spot for expatriates in UAE. Ali, who is 52 years old, runs a world famous biryani restaurant there. And this is his story.
Ali Mohammad – A Profile
Ali Mohammad’s father and his two brothers first started the family’s food business. It was around 1986 that history repeated itself as Ali and his brothers took over from their father. He and his brother soon made a name for themselves, first in their hometown in Lyari, then in the Gulf as they expanded their business.
It was during that same year that Ali first came to Dubai, and started making biryani for visitors at the Liyari Hotel. Soon enough, the dish became a local favorite. The hotel was owned by a Baloch at the Union Station, and for Ali, this was his first look at how the working class expats dined out. It was also the place where he learnt how to make his world-famous biryani.
ALSO READ
Biryani Needs to Be the National Dish of Pakistan [Opinion]
After 3 years, Ali returned to Lyari, which faced gang wars and sporadic bouts of violence for a decade or two. Despite the threats to his life, he persisted and eked out a respectable living for his family against all odds. He ran his own kitchen, and even catered for events and weddings.
Fast forward to 2007, Ali had to return to the place which started it all – Dubai. With the death of his elder brother, it was up to him to take care of his own family and children as well as his brothers. All of them resided in the four-storey house in Lyari.
Ali joined the Pak Liyari restaurant in 2007, where his brother also worked.
Award-Winning Biryani
One day, two Arabs came to the Sabka branch of Pak Liyari restaurant. They ordered biryani for themselves and devoured it in no time. Once finished, they asked to meet the chef who made it.
Ali recalls that the two gentlemen told him that they will be back soon. This time they brought their whole team with them, and awarded the Pakistani chef with a certificate. The man was now considered among the top 5 biryani makers in the Gulf country.
For more of his awe-inspiring story, watch this video:
via Khaleej Times
