Chef Naved, Khadak & Paperchase – A Recipe for Financial and Culinary Success

From the polished precision of five-star hotel kitchens to the unpredictable rhythm of entrepreneurship, Chef Naved Nasir’s journey has been anything but ordinary. In the hotel world, he operated within a system with tight financial controls, clear processes, and everything in place. But when he stepped into the restaurant business in 2010, he was greeted with a very different reality: the restaurant landscape was vibrant and fast-paced, yet it often lacked the structured support systems he had grown accustomed to.

It quickly became evident that crafting great food alone wouldn’t be enough to thrive in this landscape. That’s when Paperchase came into the picture. A global accounting firm with a deep understanding of the restaurant & hospitality sector, we stepped in as a steady financial partner to Khadak.

For over 15 years, Paperchase has overseen Dishoom’s finances, where Chef Naved served as Culinary Director. From payroll processing to detailed profit-and-loss analysis, we managed the numbers with the same balance and precision that goes into a great dish, freeing Chef to focus on creating exceptional flavors.

“Trust becomes a major issue, and if you don’t have that, especially in a finance setup, it’s very hard to collaborate. With Paperchase, that trust was there from day one because of Dishoom,” shares Chef Naved when speaking about opening Khadak.

Today, with Khadak capturing attention across Dubai’s dining scene, Paperchase continues to be a key player behind the scenes, shaping financial journeys with clarity, structure, and expertise. But before that, let’s get to know Chef Naved a little better.

Beyond the Apron: Meet Chef Naved

From London to Dubai: Launching Khadak

Chef Naved Nasir began his culinary journey in the structured, disciplined world of five-star hotels, where he spent decades perfecting his craft within meticulously run operations. These environments provided clear systems for finance, cost control, and procurement, with support that allowed the chef to focus solely on the art of cooking flavors close to his heart.

However, in 2010, when he made the bold transition into the restaurant space in London at Dishoom, the landscape shifted dramatically. As a chef, his financial expertise was rooted in food costs and operational metrics, with traditional finance remaining a less explored territory. But transitioning from structured hotel systems to independent restaurants meant stepping into unfamiliar territory from budgeting and cost control to procurement roles once handled by specialized departments, now resting on his shoulders. This transition highlighted areas where additional expertise was needed, such as budgeting, payroll, vendor coordination, and strategic financial planning. It was a period of intense learning that brought both valuable insights and unique challenges.

Recognizing the need for financial expertise, Chef Naved partnered with Paperchase. From that point onward, we became an integral part of his journey, managing Dishoom’s finances for over 14+ years (to date). From day-to-day bookkeeping to complex financial reporting, Paperchase provided the financial backbone that allowed him to focus on delivering exceptional dining experiences at Dishoom while trusting that the business side was in expert hands.

When Chef Naved unveiled Khadak in Dubai, nestled in a beautifully restored 50-year-old villa and conceived as a tribute to India’s rich culinary heritage, he once again turned to Paperchase. And just like before, Paperchase stepped in with the same financial clarity, structure, and momentum that he had seen before. And, as a chef, he welcomed the opportunity to optimize numbers through analytical reports offered by Paperchase, supporting smarter and more informed decision-making.

Rebuilding the Partnership

As Khadak’s ambitions grew, so did its financial intricacies. Reconnecting with Paperchase wasn’t just a practical choice; it was about returning to a trusted rhythm established during Dishoom’s rise, bringing bespoke financial systems and structured reporting to match Khadak’s growing vision.

It was through a chance meeting between Chef Naved’s Manager, Anoop, and our Business Development Head, Manit, that they discovered Paperchase already had a presence in the UAE. What followed wasn’t just a reconnection, but the revival of a trusted partnership built during our years together at Dishoom. The bond was easy to rebuild, familiar, warm, and rooted in shared history — like picking up right where we had left off.

With that foundation, stepping in just as Khadak opened in November, we were ready to bring financial clarity, structure, and long-term vision to the table once again. “There is already much to be proud of,” Chef Naved discusses some of his successes with Khadak, “I think the team we’ve had is very diverse, and I always wanted diversity and inclusion in my restaurant.” He then boasts, “To be able to carve a space in such a competitive market is another moment of pride for us.”

Financial Practices That Matter

At Khadak, Paperchase introduced the 4-4-5 accounting system, a method common in the UK but relatively new to the UAE. The model breaks the year into four quarters of 13 weeks each, structured as four weeks, four weeks, and five weeks. This approach makes financial tracking more consistent, comparable, and actionable.

For Chef Naved, these reports are indispensable. He relies on their accuracy and reliability to guide daily decisions, knowing he can act with confidence. To him, financial clarity is as vital as any ingredient in his kitchen.

Paperchase’s Human Touch

Paperchase goes beyond numbers, we become an extension of your leadership team. With a sharp grasp of your vision, investor expectations and on-ground operational complexities, we deliver more than financial support — we offer strategic foresight. In times of uncertainty or rapid growth, our expertise brings not just stability, but confidence, ensuring you’re always equipped to make the right move at the right moment.

Challenges Khadak Faced

Despite its early success, Khadak’s journey came with real-world business challenges:

Operational & Financial Roadblocks:

Solutions Offered by Paperchase

Paperchase played a key role in addressing the above challenges through strategic financial practices:

Strategic Accounting & Advisory Support:

Results and Achievements

Within months of its opening, Khadak gained significant attention in Dubai’s ever-evolving fine dining scene. Khadak earned a spot in the Michelin Guide and received a Time Out award within 3 months of opening. These recognitions were a testament to not only the culinary quality but also the operational foundation built behind the scenes.

Chef Naved also proudly built a diverse and inclusive team that represents various cultures while connecting authentically with Indian cuisine. By ensuring timely vendor payments and clear communication, trust was reestablished in the supplier network, an essential step in stabilizing operations.

Why Dubai?

For Chef Naved, Dubai wasn’t just a destination, it was a strategic and personal choice. Its dynamic market, global recognition and openness to new culinary experiences made it the ideal place to bring his vision to life. He saw an opportunity to introduce authentic Indian culture and cuisine to a diverse audience, in a city that embraces innovation while respecting tradition. Its geographic advantage, offering seamless access to regions like the UK, only strengthened his decision to build and grow his beloved brand from the heart of the UAE.

Future Outlook

While Khadak has garnered early success, Chef Naved is taking a cautious approach to growth. Though investor’s interest is high and financial backing is available, his focus remains on building a solid foundation before expanding.

For now, the priority is clear: strengthen the brand, refine backend operations, and ensure Khadak’s journey is rooted in long-term quality, not short-term hype.

Why Paperchase?

Chef Naved’s culinary brilliance speaks for itself — his ability to reimagine Indian cuisine with depth, soul, and sophistication has earned him global recognition. But even the most exceptional chefs need a strong financial to bring their vision to life. That’s where Paperchase comes in.

Khadak chose Paperchase not just for our global reputation, but because we’ve consistently delivered excellence in hospitality finance. In fact, our longstanding partnership with Dishoom — spanning over 14+ years and still going strong — offered Chef Naved both confidence and familiarity. He had already witnessed first-hand the value we bring as a financial partner, making Paperchase the natural choice for Khadak.

As one of the most trusted accounting firms in the restaurant industry, we specialize in Michelin-starred and high-end dining establishments. But our role goes far beyond compliance. We provide clarity. From real-time profit & loss visibility, weekly reporting packs, and intelligent cost control systems, to payroll services, vendor reconciliations, and strategic cash flow forecasting, we offer holistic, hands-on support that empowers chefs and restaurants to focus on what they do best.

Conclusion: The Perfect Blend of Passion and Precision

At Paperchase, we do more than balance books — we fuel bold hospitality ambitions with financial finesse. With decades of specialized experience in restaurant finance, we craft tailored solutions that span everything from 4-4-5 accounting, strategic budgeting, meticulous cash flow management, to investor-grade reporting and accurate bookkeeping.

Our approach empowers restaurateurs to scale with clarity and confidence, while we navigate the complexities behind the scenes. As the trusted financial partner for Michelin-starred restaurants and luxury dining concepts across the globe, we bring structure to creativity, turning visions like Khadak into enduring success stories.

Because at Paperchase, we don’t just balance books, we build brands.