Hear our Sous Chef Wael talk about his performance during this year's Strawberry Chef of the Year competition. How he got there and pursuing his dream of becoming a member of the Swedish Chef Association team in the future.
Wael Abdulkader, Sous Chef at Clarion Hotel Malmö Live, began his culinary path at just eight years old, working in his father’s restaurants. Despite not having formal chef training, he’s built an impressive career, gaining experience in high-level kitchens, including Michelin-starred restaurants and the Armani Hotel in Dubai. Wael joined Strawberry in the fall of 2024 and quickly jumped at the chance to compete in Strawberry Chef of the Year — a decision that would mark a key milestone in his career.
The Competition Experience
Wael described the competition as intense, with tough competitors and high standards. The biggest challenge? Nailing the timing of service and the presentation of each dish. To prepare, he focused on perfecting his cooking techniques, knowing they would be a key judging factor. His efforts paid off — the jury praised his organized workstation, technical precision, and the exceptional flavors he brought to his dishes.
Future Goals & Advice
Wael’s passion for competing continues to grow. His next goal? Competing for Chef of the Year and securing a spot on the Swedish Chef Association’s national team. His advice to aspiring chefs: stay hungry, refine your techniques constantly, and use social media as a learning tool. Wael hopes to see even more participants in next year’s competition, valuing the opportunity to learn from fellow chefs. Outside the kitchen, he stays active in the gym, which he credits for improving his speed, efficiency, and ability to handle pressure — essential skills for any chef.
Looking Ahead – Join the Competition!
For those inspired by Wael’s journey, the road to becoming the next Strawberry Chef of the Year starts soon! Qualifications for the 2026 competition will open in the fall of 2025, giving chefs across Strawberry the chance to showcase their talent. If you’re passionate about cooking and want to challenge yourself, this is your opportunity to compete, learn, and grow. Stay tuned for more details – we can’t wait to see who steps up next!
Below you can find all our current job openings. If you find one that suits you, let us know by applying today!
It’s your journey! Let us help you find the perfect role for you. Simply choose your preferred career area and let’s take it from there!
We use cookies to customize content and ads, to provide functions for social media and to analyze our traffic. We also share information about your use of our website with our social media, advertising and analytics partners who may combine it with other information that you have provided to them or that they have collected from your use of their services.
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
|
_wbCookiePermissions
Onecruiter
6 months
|
Necessary cookie, this cookie is set when a user accepts cookie policy. It saves your cookie preferences. |
|
language / language.sig
Onecruiter
Session
|
Preference cookie, this cookie allows us to remember your preference of language when you navigate through the site. |
|
position_ref
Onecruiter
7 days
|
Statistics cookie, this cookie allows us to remember which site referred you to us. |
|
global_ref
Onecruiter
7 days
|
Statistics cookie, this cookie allows us to remember which site referred you to us. |
|
_ga, _gid, _gat_workbuster
Google
6 months
|
Statistics cookies, these cookies allows us to understand how you navigate through the site. |
|
_fa, usida, sb, datr, wd
Facebook
7 days
|
Marketing cookies, these cookies allows us to understand our audience better. |
We use cookies to customize content and ads, to provide functions for social media and to analyze our traffic.
