Welcome to the Emirates Man weekly series ‘How I got my job as…’ where we speak to some incredible entrepreneurs and businessmen both based in the UAE and globally to find out about their career paths that led them to where they are now; what their daily routines look like; the advice they’d give to those starting out; and the hurdles they’ve had to overcome.
This week, Emirates Man spoke to Chef Kuzma, who’s known for his signature artistry at ARTE Fine Art Cakes & Coffee in Dubai Mall and Dubai Production City.
View this post on Instagram
Known for their custom cakes and pastries, the maestro himself is known for creating bespoke pieces through one-on-one sessions with his customers, to ensure that each product is tailored to perfection.
Be it weddings, anniversaries or any other special occasion, Chef Kuzma’s creations are more than just sweet treats; they are captivating masterpieces that explore taste, texture, and visual splendor.
With an unwavering commitment to create awe-inspiring masterpieces, ARTE Fine Art Cakes & Coffee explores culinary renaissance in the world of cakes, making each custom cake a crafting experience.
To delve into his journey, Emirates Man sat down with Chef Kuzma to see how it all began.
What was your favourite subject at school?
In school, I found mathematics to be relatively straightforward, and it was my favorite subject. I identified as someone with a technical mindset. However, as I matured, my interests expanded into the humanities. Surprisingly, I discovered that I am a highly creative individual. However, in reality my entire professional journey is centered around creativity.
What was your first job?
My initial position was in the kitchen as a cook, primarily catering to banquets and tourists. Whenever the chance arose to create desserts, I eagerly took on the responsibility. It was during this time that I realized my passion for becoming a pastry chef. Just six months later, I successfully secured a position in a confectionery shop specializing in decorating cakes and desserts. There, I acquired a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental principles of the confectionery arts.
What brought you to Dubai?
Well, it all began with an irresistible opportunity. I had been serving as the head pastry chef at a renowned restaurant in St. Petersburg, where fate introduced me to my future business partner, who also happened to be the restaurant owner. Following two prosperous years at the restaurant, I decided to embark on my own entrepreneurial journey and established a successful studio specializing in bespoke cakes—a venture that combined my passion for art with a thriving business. Unexpectedly, my former boss approached me with an ambitious proposal: to join forces in creating a confectionery empire in Dubai. In a mere 10 minutes of discussion, we enthusiastically sealed the deal, armed only with a shared vision. Fast forward a year, and we materialized our dream by inaugurating a confectionery store in the prestigious Dubai Mall and a state-of-the-art production facility in Production City, all under a brand entirely new to the market.
What inspired you to enter the F&B space and launch ARTE?
I’ve had a passion for cooking since my childhood, and given my lifelong love for art, I decided to specialise in confectionery. One of my primary focuses is creating artistic designer cakes. Consequently, when brainstorming the concept, name, and overall theme for our establishment, we decided on the term “Arte,” which translates to “art” in Italian.
View this post on Instagram
Talk us through the concept of ARTE.
The core concept involved establishing a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to the large-scale production of designer cakes with varying levels of complexity, size, and design. Simultaneously, we opted to create a network of cafes and confectioneries, necessitating the establishment of robust production capabilities. Our commitment extends to using exclusively premium, costly natural ingredients. For instance, when we mention the inclusion of vanilla, it signifies the use of fresh, natural vanilla pods.
What are the key elements of your role?
I serve as a partner in this venture, which comprises just the two of us. My role encompasses overseeing the entire production process, ensuring the taste, quality, and standard of our products. Prior to the cafe and production launch, my primary focus was conceptualizing our menu, choosing products, identifying suppliers, and building a team dedicated to supporting our cherished business.
Talk us through your daily routine.
Currently, my primary responsibility involves overseeing various processes, addressing organizational matters, brainstorming new dessert ideas, and acquiring equipment for upcoming projects. Despite these responsibilities, I actively contribute to the design and creation of unique cakes.
What advice do you have for anyone looking to follow in the same footsteps?
The key is to embrace wholeheartedly and passionately what you do. If you’re unsure, it’s better not to begin at all. Success requires a genuine love for your pursuit, a commitment to continuous learning, and a strong work ethic.
Tell us more about your products and the process of creating a custom cake.
Every cake begins with a concept, be it our own creative inspiration or a customer’s imaginative vision that we strive to transform into a work of art. Typically, upon conceptualising an idea, we draft a sketch, and upon the customer’s approval, we commence the design process. What I find particularly gratifying is when a customer entrusts us with their idea and allows us the freedom to execute our vision. This trust significantly simplifies the creative process. Furthermore, inspired by the popularity of Choux buns in a renowned restaurant in St. Petersburg, which sold in the thousands daily, we aimed to replicate this success in our own venture.
What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?
Guidance that I couldn’t implement – I once inquired of a pastry chef, “How did you accomplish so much at such a young age?” He said: “Be more daring, and everything will fall into place for you.” However, I lacked the confidence to act boldly, resulting in a prolonged journey to progress.
And what is the worst?
The most disheartening situation occurs when a customer isn’t pleased with the quality and flavor of our products. I’m deeply dedicated to my work, and achieving perfection in every aspect is a priority for me. It genuinely saddens me when a guest expresses dissatisfaction because the excellence of my product holds great significance. However, I don’t take it personally when the criticism is constructive – after all, we’re all human and prone to errors. We consistently strive to heed feedback, take note of comments and suggestions, and continuously improve.
View this post on Instagram
What’s the biggest challenge you have had to overcome?
The most challenging decision in my professional journey was opting to establish a pastry shop in Dubai. After dedicating 15 years to building my reputation in St. Petersburg, the prospect of starting anew in a place where nobody knows me was daunting. However, I hold unwavering confidence in my skills and am certain that we will achieve success.
What’s your future for the brand?
My goal is for my presence and the reputation of ARTE to be widely recognized not only across the Middle East but potentially globally. When individuals crave something sweet, I want them to immediately associate it with us. While I aspire for the business to flourish independently, allowing me to enjoy the fruits of success and quality time with my family, my passion drives me to stay actively involved. Consequently, I envision my direct participation in shaping the future of our bespoke cake projects.
– For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
Images: Supplied
