From the kitchens of Hilton and Ritz-Carlton to the serene shores of the Red Sea, Pastry Chef Aisha Ray Fasal has turned her love for food into an art form that inspires thousands. Both on the plate and on screen.
For Aisha, food wasn’t just nourishment; it was fascination. Growing up, she was always the one eating the most at family dinners, but more importantly, the one asking how everything was made. What began as curiosity turned into creativity; she’d photograph her meals, write about restaurants, and experiment endlessly in her kitchen long before “food content” was a trend.
Then, during the pandemic, a conversation with her sister changed everything. While preparing for the medical entrance exam, Aisha realised her heart was never in it. “My sister told me, ‘You love food so much, why not make it your career?” she recalls. That single line set her life in motion. One month of preparation later, she aced the exam and joined IHM Mumbai, one of India’s top hotel management institutes.
Internships at Hilton Conrad Bangalore and Hilton Ras Al Khaimah Beach Resort followed, where her determination stood out. Despite being placed in the hot kitchen, she’d stay back after hours to train in pastry, her true passion. When offered a job in the kitchen, she boldly declined, choosing instead to chase
her pastry dream. “In the hot kitchen, I couldn’t express myself as creatively as I wanted to.”
From Camera to Kitchen
Before donning her chef’s whites, Aisha was already a familiar face online. As a food blogger and content creator, she shared her restaurant discoveries and recipes with an ever-growing audience. “Most people go from kitchen to camera; I did the opposite,” she laughs. Yet even as her online presence grew, Aisha knew she needed hands-on experience to refine her craft. “It wasn’t easy stepping away from content creation, but I wanted real skills. That’s what gave my storytelling more authenticity later.”
Crafting Dreams in Saudi Arabia
Her culinary path soon led her to Saudi Arabia, where she found new dimensions to her artistry. At Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Aisha immersed herself in a world of precision, creativity, and luxury. “I began experimenting with Middle Eastern and Indian flavours through modern pastry techniques,” she says. “Saudi gave me the platform to blend authenticity with elegance.” Today, she’s part of the pre-opening team at Raffles Jeddah, a landmark project redefining hospitality in the Kingdom. Each experience, she says, has shaped her as both a chef and a storyteller.
Life by the Red Sea
Working with The Red Sea Project has been nothing short of extraordinary.“It’s surreal,” she says. “I’ve served football stars, Bollywood actors, royal families, and world leaders. But glamour aside, island life came with challenges—long commutes, limited resources, and isolation. Those days taught me resilience. Every struggle shaped me.”
Still, the Red Sea’s serenity keeps her inspired. “Snorkelling, watching sunsets, walking through the mangroves—it’s magical. It reminds me that creativity, like nature, thrives in balance.”
The Vision Ahead
Aisha dreams of crafting desserts that look like art but taste even better. “Too often, beautiful desserts disappoint the palate. I want to change that; balance and flavours matter the most.” She hopes her creations and her videos evoke the same joy she feels while making them. “I want people to sense the love behind each detail.” Her message to aspiring bakers is simple: start. “Take an internship, find mentors, stay curious, and post your journey online. Every experience helps you find your voice.“
Aisha’s story, though driven by ambition, is deeply rooted in family. “My parents wanted me to be a doctor, and some relatives didn’t understand my choice,” she admits. “But my sisters always believed in me.” Her courage to follow her calling, even against expectations, became the secret ingredient of her success. “Choosing this path wasn’t easy, but it was the best decision I’ve ever made.”
Today, Aisha stands as more than a chef; she’s a symbol of passion meeting purpose. Whether she’s whisking pastry cream or filming her next vlog, every creation carries the same essence: joy, beauty, and boundless creativity, much like the sea that now inspires her.
