Abu Dhabi Stories

When the announcer called his name, Chandran Thanggaraja froze. For a moment, everything around him blurred—the lights, the applause, the weight of what had just happened. He turned to his wife, still caught in disbelief, “I told you we weren’t going to win anything.” Yet there he was, standing among the world’s best chefs, celebrating a milestone he never imagined possible.

Among the most inspiring success stories is Emirati show jumper Omar Al Marzouqi’s journey to the Olympics

His journey to that glorious moment hadn’t started in a fine dining kitchen. It began in a hotel laundry room.

A Childhood Cooked with Love

Chandran grew up in a home where cooking wasn’t just a skill, it was a legacy. His father had learned from his grandfather, and together, they could turn the simplest ingredients into something extraordinary.

As a child, he watched, learned, and experimented. When his parents were at work, he took charge of the kitchen, preparing meals for his siblings. At the time, it felt like second nature, just another part of his day. He didn’t yet realize that this instinct, this quiet mastery of flavors and techniques, was a skill that would one day shape his entire future.

From Laundry to The Line

For 28 years, Chandran worked in hospitality, moving between different hotel departments. The job changed, the roles shifted, but one thing never did—his passion for cooking. Then, the pandemic began and travel restrictions kept him at home. With nowhere to go, he returned to the one thing that had always felt familiar, the kitchen. He started cooking for family and friends, unaware that those home-cooked meals would set him on a path he had only ever dreamed of.

In 2021, he took the leap and opened his own restaurant in Abu Dhabi, bringing the rich, authentic Malaysian flavors that had been missing in the city he loved.

The Road to Michelin

Chandran never expected his small restaurant to make headlines so quickly. In 2022, he received his first industry award, followed by more well-deserved recognition. Then came the moment that changed everything; his restaurant was listed in the Michelin Guide, earning the prestigious Michelin Service Award.

For Chandran, accolades aren’t what matter most. It’s about the experience. Every morning, he personally selects the freshest ingredients. He greets his guests himself, making sure each dish reflects the heart and soul he pours into it. Because for him, food isn’t just about taste, it’s about telling a story.

And it’s not just Chandran who feels this way—Chinese artist Jack Lee shares the same gratitude for Abu Dhabi. Have you heard of Jack Lee? Read his story here!

Abu Dhabi: A City of Possibilities

Some dreams need the right place to take shape. For Chandran, that place was Abu Dhabi. It wasn’t just where he built a restaurant; it’s where he found the opportunity to turn his dream into a reality and tell his story through food.

"In other places, opportunities may be limited. But here, if you have passion and determination, you can achieve anything."

Today, he is more than a chef who loves to cook. His name is listed among Abu Dhabi’s finest restaurants, a testament to what’s possible in a city that welcomes ambition. And his journey, which started in a hotel laundry room, is far from over.

In Abu Dhabi’s culinary world filled with inspiring stories, Ayesha Al Obaidli stands out as the youngest Emirati chef to impress the world with her unique flavors. Have you explored her story?

Do you have an inspiring story you'd like to share with the world? Send us your story here and become part of Abu Dhabi Stories!

A moment he never saw coming

Spotlights