Send us a text Season 11 continues with a story built on pressure, persistence, and two people who refused to settle for the careers they were “meant” to have. Dan and Fix spent years in engineering and construction before Carnistore ever existed. Long days on site, managing hundreds of workers, solving problems nonstop, and dealing with deadlines that could cost millions. But the one thing that stayed with both of them was food. Memories from Egypt, home cooking, street food, and the feeling of people gathering around a meal. A chance meeting at a kid’s birthday party brought two strangers together who were secretly working on the same idea. From that moment they decided to build something they wished existed. A place focused on good meat, good sourcing, good service, and honest hospitality. Carnistore started with no funding and no experience in F and B. Just belief, curiosity, and a lot of trial and error. Their turning point came in 2020 when the entire city went online and their orders went from 15 a day to hundreds overnight. What could have broken them became the moment that changed their future. Today they run one of Dubai’s strongest homegrown brands. A space in Alserkal Avenue. A community of chefs, families, and food lovers. And a content style that has taken over the internet. This episode is real, funny, raw, and full of the moments that build entrepreneurs. What You Will Hear in This Episode • Growing up in Egypt and how food shaped their childhood • Why engineering was the expected path and why it never felt right • The pressure of construction life and the moment they wanted out • How they met and realised they were working on the same idea • The early Carnistore days and the decision to go fully online • How COVID changed everything overnight • The story behind their Alserkal Avenue space • Why community is central to their brand Proudly Brought to You by Potatoes USA Potatoes USA represents America’s potato growers and inspires chefs, home cooks, and food lovers everywhere. From nutrition to creativity, they show why potatoes remain one of the most powerful ingredients in any kitchen. Instagram https://www.instagram.com/potatogoodnessgcc/ Website https://www.potatogoodnessgcc.com Follow Dan and Fix Instagram Dan - https://www.instagram.com/danthecarnivore/ Fix - https://www.instagram.com/fixthecarnivore/ Business - https://www.instagram.com/carnistore/ Website https://www.carnistore.com Follow Chef JKP Instagram https://www.instagram.com/chefjkppodcast LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-knight-paccheco-447b1b17 TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@jamesknightpaccheco Chapters 00:00 Introduction 04:00 Childhood food memories and growing up in Egypt 17:00 Engineering life and the pressure that pushed them away 27:00 The moment they met and discovered they shared the same idea 35:00 Building Carnistore from scratch and choosing to go online 45:00 COVID hits and their business explodes overnight 54:00 Moving into Alserkal Avenue and designing the space 59:00 How community, chefs, and creatives shaped the brand Support the show Follow The Chef JKP Podcast on Instagram HERE
