Ahmad Azemah’s journey to becoming a qualified chef is nothing short of inspiring. 

Originally arriving in New Zealand as a refugee through the Māngere Refugee Resettlement Centre, Ahmad has gone from washing dishes to serving up three-course meals and now, he’s officially a qualified chef, having completed his Level 3 and 4 Cookery Apprenticeship with ServiceIQ. 

Ahmad’s career started at Cater Plus, where he began as a kitchen hand. His hard work, curiosity, and calm approach to learning quickly caught attention. He moved into food preparation, and before long, was cooking meals for hundreds of people at some of Cater Plus’s busiest kitchens. 

Then came a moment that brought things full circle he took a chef role at the Māngere Refugee Centre, the very place he’d first arrived in New Zealand. Ahmad knew the significance of the space, and it only strengthened his commitment to building a future in food. 

Stephen Thompson, Apprentice Support Advisor at ServiceIQ, has been alongside Ahmad through most of his apprenticeship journey. “Ahmad’s story is one of determination. He stayed committed and took each step seriously. He never asked for shortcuts, just support,” says Stephen. “It’s been a privilege to support him.” 

Together with his employer Cater Plus, Head Chef Chris Waghorn, and mentor Matt Shuker, Ahmad worked his way through the challenges of studying while working, eventually creating a beautiful three-course meal for his final assessment. 

His achievement highlights what’s possible with the right mix of support, opportunity, and personal drive. For ServiceIQ, it’s a powerful reminder of how vocational education can open real doors, not just for businesses, but for people creating new lives in Aotearoa. 

Ahmad, congratulations, your story will inspire many others walking a similar path. 

Left to right: Tony Seiuli – Service Sector Advisor, Ahmad Azemah, Stephen Thompson – Apprentice Support Advisor