ABHISHEK DEKATE
Abhishek Dekate knows a thing or two about good taste.
This up-and-coming lifestyle creator was studying in culinary school when he moved from Calgary to Toronto to pursue his love for food. His journey began when he started building his portfolio on Instagram and has since become known for his style, travels, and epic dinner parties.
Abhishek sat down with VIEREN to share his inspiring story of taking risks, representing diversity, and following his passions to power his time.
Abhishek sat down with VIEREN to share his inspiring story of taking risks, representing diversity, and following his passions to power his time.
Abhishek Dekate knows a thing or two about good taste.
This up-and-coming lifestyle creator was studying in culinary school when he moved from Calgary to Toronto to pursue his love for food. His journey began when he started building his portfolio on Instagram and has since become known for his style, travels, and epic dinner parties.
Abhishek sat down with VIEREN to share his inspiring story of taking risks, representing diversity, and following his passions to power his time.
Abhishek sat down with VIEREN to share his inspiring story of taking risks, representing diversity, and following his passions to power his time.
"I never thought I could get to a place in my life where I could afford a renovation, build a brand, and start a business. These were all dreams and aspirations I had when I first moved to the city, and on my 10th year, it’s finally happening!"
@abhishekdekate
"I never thought I could get to a place in my life where I could afford a renovation, build a brand, and start a business. These were all dreams and aspirations I had when I first moved to the city, and on my 10th year, it’s finally happening!"
@abhishekdekate
What are your biggest passions in life?
For me, bottom line, it’s food. Food and entertaining. Those are the things I’m most passionate about. Every memory I can think of today is connected to a meal or my kitchen (or my parent’s kitchen or a friend’s kitchen), It’s always that shared experience. It always brings me joy. I know if I can share something that I love with someone else, it’s 99.9% going to be food.
Are you celebrating anything this year?
I’m celebrating being in the city for 10 years. I’ve always travelled a lot as a kid, just the nature of my parents jobs, and I’ve never actually been in a place long enough to call it home. For the first time in my life, I’ve been somewhere for 10 years, and Toronto truly feels like home, so that is a huge milestone.
Just to see how I came here when I was 18 and how life has completely changed. I’m sitting here trying on this beautiful watch and having a conversation with you guys. That is something I never imagined for someone working as a line cook going in culinary school - a lot has changed - and that’s something to be proud of.
Just to see how I came here when I was 18 and how life has completely changed. I’m sitting here trying on this beautiful watch and having a conversation with you guys. That is something I never imagined for someone working as a line cook going in culinary school - a lot has changed - and that’s something to be proud of.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
To truly just be fearless and to be confident. I was always the most introverted human that could never be able to hold a conversation. I was always the shy guy in the room and I was scared to step out of my comfort zone and take on opportunities as they come along. So I would say, just be more confident and be more open to experiences, You never know what’s going to come your way and you’re just going to love everything you open your door to.
What are your biggest passions in life?
For me, bottom line, it’s food. Food and entertaining. Those are the things I’m most passionate about. Every memory I can think of today is connected to a meal or my kitchen (or my parent’s kitchen or a friend’s kitchen), It’s always that shared experience. It always brings me joy. I know if I can share something that I love with someone else, it’s 99.9% going to be food.
Are you celebrating anything this year?
I’m celebrating being in the city for 10 years. I’ve always travelled a lot as a kid, just the nature of my parents jobs, and I’ve never actually been in a place long enough to call it home. For the first time in my life, I’ve been somewhere for 10 years, and Toronto truly feels like home, so that is a huge milestone.
Just to see how I came here when I was 18 and how life has completely changed. I’m sitting here trying on this beautiful watch and having a conversation with you guys. That is something I never imagined for someone working as a line cook going in culinary school - a lot has changed - and that’s something to be proud of.
Just to see how I came here when I was 18 and how life has completely changed. I’m sitting here trying on this beautiful watch and having a conversation with you guys. That is something I never imagined for someone working as a line cook going in culinary school - a lot has changed - and that’s something to be proud of.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
To truly just be fearless and to be confident. I was always the most introverted human that could never be able to hold a conversation. I was always the shy guy in the room and I was scared to step out of my comfort zone and take on opportunities as they come along. So I would say, just be more confident and be more open to experiences, You never know what’s going to come your way and you’re just going to love everything you open your door to.
How do you stay motivated?
I feel like motivation is something that comes to me from a lot of different avenues. I’m the type of person who loves to explore and media is something that is huge to me because I’m very active on social. Seeing people coming from a minority since there’s not seeing a lot of people in the industry with my representation and my background. Seeing those people today getting the spotlight, doing cool things, and making a dent in the industry is what motivates me to know that I can also be that human and make a change and impact, even if it’s just one person.
Was there an "a-ha moment" for you?
I feel like I’m living my a-ha moment right now. I was always the black sheep in my family and I was always a creative child. I used to be a dancer before culinary school for 10 years. I never followed the typical Indian family standards of going to a very academic school and what not. Things that I’m sure a lot of immigrant children can relate to, but because I was always the black sheep, I had to work 10x harder to prove to myself and other people who have doubted my journey.
Tell us about a favourite project you’re working on.
I keep bringing this renovation up, but it’s truly special. I designed the entire space myself and it’s my baby. It’s something I’ve been working on for the past two years and going through the whole design process. Coming from someone who is very passionate about design and home decor, and understanding how things work. I’m obviously not a professional but I’m very passionate about it. It’s finally coming into fruition right now and this is like the stepping stone to a bigger brand I want to build hopefully in the next year or so. That is my moment at the moment.
How do you stay motivated?
I feel like motivation is something that comes to me from a lot of different avenues. I’m the type of person who loves to explore and media is something that is huge to me because I’m very active on social. Seeing people coming from a minority since there’s not seeing a lot of people in the industry with my representation and my background. Seeing those people today getting the spotlight, doing cool things, and making a dent in the industry is what motivates me to know that I can also be that human and make a change and impact, even if it’s just one person.
Was there an "a-ha moment" for you?
I feel like I’m living my a-ha moment right now. I was always the black sheep in my family and I was always a creative child. I used to be a dancer before culinary school for 10 years. I never followed the typical Indian family standards of going to a very academic school and what not. Things that I’m sure a lot of immigrant children can relate to, but because I was always the black sheep, I had to work 10x harder to prove to myself and other people who have doubted my journey.
Tell us about a favourite project you’re working on.
I keep bringing this renovation up, but it’s truly special. I designed the entire space myself and it ’s my baby. It’s something I’ve been working on for the past two years and going through the whole design process. Coming from someone who is very passionate about design and home decor, and understanding how things work. I’m obviously not a professional but I’m very passionate about it. It’s finally coming into fruition right now and this is like the stepping stone to a bigger brand I want to build hopefully in the next year or so. That is my moment at the moment.
"I power my time by knowing and creating routines and schedules. Something that is attainable and just organizing my life in that aspect brings me joy."
@abhishekdekate
"I power my time by knowing and creating routines and schedules. Something that is attainable and just organizing my life in that aspect brings me joy."
@abhishekdekate
What is your relationship with watches?
Growing up, my parents always gifted me watches for my birthday. They’re like, we don’t know what to get you, but you will for sure wear a watch. I remember my very first watch being this small digital timepiece and I was very proud of it. It had interchangeable straps, and as a kid, you’re like this is great.
How has it changed over time?
So I always wore watches as a kid, but as I started to get older, I somehow fell out of it. I felt like watches didn’t look good on me, I don’t know, it was a weird phase in my life. And now as I am getting older, I am going back to that phase of me being a kid who wants to build a great watch collection.
What is your relationship with watches?
Growing up, my parents always gifted me watches for my birthday. They’re like, we don’t know what to get you, but you will for sure wear a watch. I remember my very first watch being this small digital timepiece and I was very proud of it. It had interchangeable straps, and as a kid, you’re like this is great.
How has it changed over time?
So I always wore watches as a kid, but as I started to get older, I somehow fell out of it. I felt like watches didn’t look good on me, I don’t know, it was a weird phase in my life. And now as I am getting older, I am going back to that phase of me being a kid who wants to build a great watch collection.
"I have a thing for rectangular watches. It just looks so classic. It's a timepiece that truly defines my style today and fits seamlessly into everything that I wear.”
"I have a thing for rectangular watches. It just looks so classic. It's a timepiece that truly defines my style today and fits seamlessly into everything that I wear.”
"It’s one of the reasons why I didn’t tap into getting a smartwatch. It’s because I just didn’t want to always be connected to the world. I feel like having a timepiece allows you to unplug and actually look at time for the reason of looking at time."
@abhishekdekate
"It’s one of the reasons why I didn’t tap into getting a smartwatch. It’s because I just didn’t want to always be connected to the world. I feel like having a timepiece allows you to unplug and actually look at time for the reason of looking at time."
@abhishekdekate
SHOP OG AUTOMATIC
SHOP OG AUTOMATIC
