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Belonging to an army family in India meant hopping from state to state more often than one could count.
And executive chef S M Sultan's travels across the subcontinent, allowed him to discover a passion for food which helped decide on his future career.
Today, at the age of 40 and with more than 18 years of culinary experience, he is one of the pioneers helping establish the Elite Hospitality group as a well-known name in the kingdom.
He said: "I came to Bahrain in 2001 from India to teach a course in 'Kitchen Operations and Management' for diploma students at the Baisan Institute of Hospitality Management.
"I was later asked by the management of Elite Hospitality to join as a chef at Elite Suites and I have been here since.
"We have come a long way... from a single food and beverage outlet to four hotels that now have various facilities of their own in terms of coffee shops and other eateries."
Hailing originally from Hyderabad in India, Chef Sultan began his career more than 18 years ago after his graduation with a hotel management degree in 1989.
He joined the Taj hospitality group with a placement in Bangalore, India, as a management trainee for kitchen operations and after four years moved to the Green Park Business Hotel, Hyderabad.
He then joined the Neeraj College of Hotel Management where he taught for two years before being appointed chef-in-charge at the Majorda Beach Resort in Goa. He was there for a year before returning to Hyderabad to teach at the Sri Shakti College of Hotel Management from where he was invited to the Baisan Institute.
Over the years he has had the opportunity to serve prominent businesspeople and famous faces.
He said: "I had the opportunity to prepare a meal for the late J R D Tata, former chairman of Tata and Sons, who came across to me as a very encouraging patron.
"I also wish to some day prepare a meal for former Indian president, Dr A P J Abdul Kalam."
Following the pattern of many chefs, Chef Sultan doesn't cook at home where his wife, Shameem Sultana, is the lady of the kitchen, though she currently in India with the couple's two sons Muqfit Ali, 13 and Muqtar Ali, 3.
On a personal note, Chef Sultan's all-time favourite remains the authentic Hyderabadi cuisine, famous for its mouth-watering biryanis. He added: "Home food is always the best food."
