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 – tight financial controls, clear processes, 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. Running a successful restaurant demanded a strong grasp of financial operations. 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. For over 14+ years, we oversee Dishoom’s finances, where Chef Naved served as their Culinary Director. Paperchase managed everything frome payroll processing to detailed profit and loss analysis. Just as every dish needs balance, we ensured Dishoom’s books were seasoned with precision, letting him focus on flavour while we handled the numbers. “Trust becomes a major issue and I think if you don’t have that, especially in the finance setup, it is very hard to then collaborate. It was there from day one because of the past relationship with Paperchase,” says Chef Naved when asked about opening Khadak.

Now, with Khadak capturing attention across Dubai’s dining scene, it’s time to uncover how Paperchase has once again been a key player behind the scenes – shaping financial journeys with clarity, structure and expertise. But before that, let’s know a little more about Chef Naved.

Beyond the Apron: Meet Chef Naved

From London to Dubai: Launching Khadak!

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

However, in 2010, when he made the bold transition into the restaurant space in London, 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. The 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, a global accounting firm with a deep understanding of the hospitality sector. From that point onward, Paperchase became an integral part of his journey, managing Dishoom’s finances for over 14+ years. From day-to-day bookkeeping to complex financial reporting, Paperchase provided the backbone that allowed him to focus on delivering exceptional dining experiences 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 to bring financial structure and expertise to the table. And just like before, Paperchase stepped in to bring the same financial clarity and structure. 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 the restaurant’s ambitions expanded and its financial intricacies deepened, Chef Naved felt a familiar pull – back to the precision and partnership he had come to rely on during his time at Dishoom. Reconnecting with Paperchase wasn’t just a practical choice; it was a return to a trusted rhythm, 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 Manit – our team member, 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. It didn’t feel like starting over; it felt like picking up right where we left off.

With trust already established, rejoining forces in the UAE felt seamless. We stepped in just as Khadak opened in November, 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 success with Khadak: “I think the team we’ve had is a very diverse team and I always wanted a diverse team 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

Khadak follows the 4-4-5 accounting, a system common in the UK but unfamiliar in the UAE. Within this system, a year is broken up into four quarters, with 13 weeks in each quarter, broken down into four weeks, four weeks, and five weeks. Paperchase implemented this system effectively, making financial tracking more consistent and meaningful.

Chef Naved depends heavily on these reports to make day-to-day business decisions. He values the accuracy and reliability of the data, knowing he can confidently act on the information provided. For him, financial clarity is as vital as any ingredient in his kitchen.

Paperchase’s Human Touch

At Paperchase, we go 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.

The current priority is to stabilize the brand, reinforce backend operations and ensure that 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 backbone to support their vision. 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 working with Michelin-starred and high-end dining establishments. But we offer far more than just 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, our support is holistic and hands-on.

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 regular accurate bookkeeping.

Our holistic approach empowers restaurateurs to scale with clarity and confidence, while we navigate the complexities behind the curtain. As the trusted financial backbone 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.