KARACHI: The demand for Pakistan’s culinary experts, chefs, and cooks has increased fourfold over the past five years, reflecting a significant rise in the export of skilled manpower in this field to various countries and bringing much needed foreign exchange into the country.
According to the Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment (BEOE), more than 10,503 professionals with cooking skills secured jobs in foreign markets in 2026, compared to 2,470 in 2020, demonstrates a consistent and remarkable upward trend year after year.
As many as 2,027 waiters and bearers secured employment in different countries in 2025. The export of manpower in this trade usually ranges between 2,000 and 3,500 workers annually, depending on job opportunities and the placement of Pakistanis abroad. A section of these workers also improved their skills to work as cooks at their workplaces.
Pakistan requires substantial foreign inflows to ease pressure on its external account, and workers’ remittances remain one of the key sources of foreign exchange to help finance the current account deficit. Remittances sent by overseas Pakistanis have even surpassed the country’s total goods exports in recent years.
During the last fiscal year, Pakistan received about USD 38 billion in home remittances. For the current fiscal year, inflows are projected to rise further to around USD 42 billion, reflecting the continued contribution of overseas Pakistanis to the country’s external sector stability.
Faisal Khan, a UAE-based culinary expert with over 20 years of experience, said that demand for Pakistani cooks and chefs has grown steadily in different countries recent years due to their talent and professional expertise in culinary arts, food preparation, and kitchen management.
He noted that the presence of Pakistani chefs is particularly increasing in Gulf countries, where their services are widely recognized for their ability to prepare diverse cuisines representing various tastes, regions, and traditions.
Faisal Khan further pointed out that many Pakistanis are now adopting culinary arts as a profession out of passion and are acquiring relevant skills and experience through specialized institutions. As a result, they are performing impressively in hotels, restaurants, and eateries abroad.
In addition, several Pakistani investors have entered the food chain, restaurant, and hotel sectors in Gulf countries over the past few years. By introducing Pakistani and South Asian cuisines and employing skilled Pakistani staff in both kitchen and managerial roles, they have created more job openings and opportunities for cooks and chefs to work overseas and earn a respectable livelihood, he added.
Vice Chairman of the Pakistan Overseas Employment Promoters Association (POEPA), Adnan Paracha, said that the demand for Pakistani chefs and cooks is increasing due to the rising popularity of traditional Pakistani cuisine and halal food in various countries.
He noted that Pakistani cooks are generally finding employment in Gulf countries, largely due to the growing Pakistani diaspora in these states, which prefers Pakistani food at restaurants and other food outlets.
Pakistani chefs with proper certification, skills, and experience can earn up to 3,000 per month in the local currencies of host countries. This is considered a handsome income for those starting a career abroad, he said. He added that Pakistani cooks could secure more job opportunities in Gulf states if they improve their communication skills, hygiene practices, and culinary techniques.
“As global demand for skilled hospitality professionals rises, this trend reflects the growing international recognition of Pakistan’s culinary talent and structured vocational training standards,” said Abu Bakar Adil, Immigration Expert and Director of Operations at Superior Consulting.
From an immigration perspective, he said such developments strengthen the case for skilled pathways such as Australia’s National Innovation Visa and other talent-based visa programs, where proven expertise and industry impact are increasingly valued. Countries such as Canada and the United Kingdom are also looking for traditional and halal food experts from Muslim countries like Pakistan, he added.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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