Dreams do come true when you persevere.

For Om Prakash, his role as a chef has propelled him into the business realm, where he now works as a entrepreneur.

He opened Oms Kitchen in Vatuwaqa industrial area.

It is situated at the roundabout of Ackland Street, Vatuwaqa.

Mr Kumar saw an opportunity to save people’s time from travelling to the city or Nabua to buy food.

The 30-year old had initially wanted to become an information technology expert.

It changed when he was adviced by his former dean Mahendra Reddy to take up catering courses at the Fiji National University.

Career change

Mr Kumar said the advice led him to become successful in his career path, where he is now achieving his dream of becoming a businessman.

“I started at Novotel in 2012 doing my practical as Certificate III in Cookery at FNU, then Certificate IV in Cookery and Trade Diploma, before completing Bachelors in Hospitality and Hotel Management,” Mr Kumar said.

“I then worked at Tappoos FoodCourt, and Tanoa Hotel, with another two years at Sheraton.

“Fiji National University offered me a job as cafeteria supervisor where I spent four-and-a-half years, before moving to Cook Islands to work as a sous chef at a 4.5 star hotel for two years.”

Investing in homeland

After nine years, he decided to return to invest in his home country.

“I wanted to give back to the community by opening a restaurant and provide employment opportunities for youths,” he said.

“With my parent’s financial support and my savings, we were able to open Oms Kitchen worth $40,000 and provide employment to four staff.

“This is the first business that I have opened.

“It is my goal in the next five years to have a chain of restaurants opening around the country.”