<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2430141/open_sms">Send us a text</a>What do chocolate, culture, and choosing your own path have in common? One Emirati chef.  In this episode of Forward_Moves, host Raja Haddad sits down with Chef Bader Najeeb, pastry chef, chocolatier, and founder of Burnt Orange, for a deliciously honest conversation about baking, identity, and doing what truly moves you. From making fondant in his childhood kitchen to opening one of Dubai’s most soulful cafés, Bader shares how desserts became his language for storytelling, for self-expression, and for staying true to his roots. In this episode: - From home baker to Swiss culinary school - Chocolate as an emotional, cultural connector - Managing pressure, perfectionism &amp; online noise - Building Burnt Orange with soul, not trends - Embracing Emirati identity while thinking globally 📌 Whether you're a foodie, creative, or founder, this is your reminder that the best things come when you follow what actually matters to you. 🎧 Watch now on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts. #Forward_Moves #ChefBaderNajeeb #BurntOrangeDXB #CulinaryCreativity #EmiratiVoices #Chocolatier #Foody #Chef #EmiratiChef #DubaiCafes #MiddleEastCreatives #dubai #abudhabi #mydubai #dubailife #inspiration #uaefood #followforfollow #chocolatechefb #burntorangechocolatier Follow us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forward_moves/  X: https://x.com/forward_moovz  Lina’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lina_movements/  Raja’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/octoraj/  Follow Chef Bader: https://www.instagram.com/chef.b/?hl=en Follow Burnt Orange: https://www.instagram.com/burntorangechocolatier/?hl=en  Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 00:24 Meet Chef Bader 02:23 Early Inspirations and Family Influence 04:13 Challenges of Being a Self-Taught Chef 06:02 Discovering Fondant and the Path to Pastry 09:42 Balancing Passion and Practicality 14:10 Pursuing Culinary Dreams 15:03 From Accounting to Culinary Arts 17:46 The Scholarship Dilemma 21:55 Embracing Social Media and TV Experiences 24:16 Opening Burnt Orange Cafe 24:35 The Courage to Quit 25:18 Support from Friends and Family 27:23 Handling Feedback and Criticism 35:30 Innovations in the Culinary World 43:59 Future Aspirations and Advice 49:10 Final Thoughts<a href="https://www.patreon.com/forward_moves">Support the show</a>

Send us a text What do chocolate, culture, and choosing your own path have in common? One Emirati chef.   In this episode of Forward_Moves, host Raja Haddad sits down with Chef Bader Najeeb, pastry chef, chocolatier, and founder of Burnt Orange, for a deliciously honest conversation about baking, identity, and doing what truly moves you.  From making fondant in his childhood kitchen to opening one of Dubai’s most soulful cafés, Bader shares how desserts became his language for storytelli...

Turning Passion into Purpose: Chef Bader’s Recipe for Success