Passion Prevails: Nairobi Woman Ditches Engineering for Culinary Dreams
- When Paulette Sintamei enters the kitchen, she isn’t merely preparing food; she is fulfilling her aspirations.
- It's difficult to picture now, as you watch her effortlessly create delightful dishes, that merely a few years back, she was pursuing an entirely distinct professional route: engineering.
- Having turned 25, she has converted her enduring love for cooking into a successful catering venture.
Nairobi - When you encounter Paulette Sintamei deftly preparing delicious meals, it's nearly inconceivable to think of her as an engineer.
The 25-year-old hydraulic engineering specialist has transformed her enduring love for cooking into a successful catering venture, attracting customers from upscale neighborhoods like Lavington, Karen, and Syokimau.
Sintamei's venture into the food business was sparked by her experiences at the Organic Farmers Market, where she encountered many individuals who would go on to become her dedicated patrons.
Despite her profound passion for cooking since she was eight years old, she chose to pursue a degree in hydroengineering to meet her mother's expectations.
"I've always been passionate about cooking since I was young, but my mother encouraged me to pursue a field that was more lucrative and less crowded, which led me to study engineering," she explained.
Yet, the allure of the kitchen prevailed, leading to the birth of Eselenkei Catering.
Initially a secondary pastime, what began as a minor interest eventually evolved into a dedicated profession, attracting an increasing number of customers keen to savor her cooking delights.
A standard day for Sintamei begins early in the morning and extends deep into the evening, usually ending around 8 or 9 p.m.
Although the work is physically taxing, the joy she gets from watching her clients enjoy their meals keeps her inspired.
Additionally, running a catering business lets her express her creativity and make a livelihood outside the rigid setting of an office workplace.
“She said that she invested all her efforts into it because it provides her with immense satisfaction.”
As her clientele continues to grow and her love for cuisine remains unwavering, Sintamei exemplifies how pursuing your passions can result in achievement.
She aims to cater larger events such as governmental functions, alongside making her cuisine accessible through platforms like Uber Eats and Glovo.
In the meantime, she keeps developing her brand with each dish she prepares, bringing joy to her clients' faces as she makes a living from this endeavor.
Sintamei’s tale embodies bravery and steadfastness—a testament that achievement doesn't necessarily come from treading the route predetermined for you, but rather from carving your own way, even if it defies what others anticipate.
