By Hale Education Group

Jean Salamoun was just 13 when he embarked on his entrepreneurial journey, driven by a passion for business and a penchant for food. Now 17 and a Dubai-based IB student off to study at prestigious Northeastern University, in the United States, Jean is planning to stake a career in culinary excellence. Already, he has interned at a 2 Michelin-Star restaurant and is currently managing and growing his ghost kitchen delivery service, Just Bao.

Recently profiled by Friday Magazine, Jean demonstrates the power of independent pursuit of excellence, as well as a vivid example of what students can achieve when they go confidently in the direction of their dreams. Education consultants would recommend that students desirous of the top echelon of American universities, including the Ivy League, develop their passions as thoroughly as Jean.

An edited transcript of the interview is below.

What got you interested in cooking?

Since I was eight, I’ve been helping out in the kitchen, especially when my grandmother used to cook. From preparing simple scrambled eggs, I quickly moved on to the more refined aspects of cooking. One of my first dishes was a seared scallop with a side of cauliflower purée topped with a quail egg. I find cooking fascinating, especially when all the different flavours of the dish come together so exquisitely on a plate. I enjoy seeing the expression on people’s faces when they taste good food.

You worked in a few restaurants. What were those experiences like?

Throughout my middle and high school, I’ve worked in a number of restaurants around the world. My two most memorable experiences were at Mario e Mario and Belcanto. At the age of 14, I interned at Mario e Mario, where I was preparing appetizers such as burrata, fish carpaccio, and endive salads. This internship gave me an appreciation for teamwork and working towards a common goal.

A year later, I went to work at Belcanto, a 2 Michelin-Star Portuguese restaurant in Lisbon, where I learned the value of time, organisation, and coordination. This restaurant had perfected the preparation of each dish through a series of carefully orchestrated processes and seamless communication. I learned the importance of staying calm under pressure, individual responsibility, and precision.

What led you to set up your food business?

I was 13 when I launched my first business. As a teenager, I was driven by my desire to combine two of my favourite concepts: business and food. I took advantage of growing online businesses and started selling desserts: chocolate cakes and red-fruit mille-feuilles. That same year, I completed my first internship in a central kitchen in Beirut, Lebanon. Through this experience, I gained culinary skills, but more importantly, furthered my desire to learn about the industry.

Throughout high school, I interned at restaurants ranging from family-style eateries to fine dining. These experiences elucidated food and service as an experience—an art. Leveraging the intersection of business strategy with creative innovation excited my hopes of crafting my own legacy.

Recently, I planned my newest venture through a Dubai-based kitchen called Just Bao, which offers Bao buns—small meals housed within warm, white, fluffy buns bursting with different flavours and fillings.

What are your other extracurricular activities?

I enjoy drama, tennis, and skiing. I’ve been a part of various plays and musicals, both inside and outside of school. Most notably, I played a dentist by the name of Orin Scrivello in "Little Shop of Horrors"; Rolf in "The Sound of Music"; and the lead actor, Archie, in "Thirteen: the Musical".

In addition, I also play tennis both in and outside of school. On campus, I have been a member of the team since ninth grade. I also regularly compete outside of school, where I participate in a number of tournaments. During the winter, I further participate in competitions for alpine skiing in Lebanon, while in the summer I water ski on a lake near my house.

Your dreams?

My dream is to build a culinary empire, one that spans continents and influences, whether it’s in a restaurant or on a supermarket shelf. This journey started in my parents’ kitchen and has taken me through international cuisines. While I don’t know where it will end, I’ll savour every moment, as I did when I curated my first culinary masterpiece.

Jean’s tips for students keen on a career in entrepreneurship

Earn as much experience as possible in the industry. No matter how small the experience is, it will help you gain a better understanding of this career. You can also mention these experiences in your applications, which will show your interest in your chosen career and therefore make you a stronger candidate in the college admissions process.

Visit https://www.justbaouae.com/ to place an order from Jean!

- Hale Education Group