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 delicate dishes, that merely a few years back, she was pursuing an entirely distinct career in engineering.
• Having turned only 25, she has converted her enduring love for cuisine 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 entry into the food business was spurred by her experiences at the Organic Farmers Market, where she connected with many individuals who would go on to become her dedicated patrons.

Despite her profound passion for cooking since the age of eight, 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 choose engineering," she explained.

Nevertheless, the allure of the kitchen prevailed, and out came Eselenkei Catering.

Initially just an additional pastime, this endeavor eventually evolved into a professional enterprise, attracting more customers who were keen to savor her cooking delights.

A usual day at work for Sintamei begins early in the morning and extends deep into the evening, frequently ending sometime between 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.

Furthermore, running a food service lets her express her creative side and make a livelihood outside the rigid setting of an office workplace.

“She said that she puts all her efforts into this because it gives her 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 expanding her brand with each dish she prepares, bringing joy to her clients' faces as she makes a living out of it.

Sintamei’s tale embodies bravery and strong belief—serving as a testament that achieving success doesn't necessarily mean adhering to the predefined route, but rather carving your own way, even if it defies conventional expectations.