He is known as the “magician of candy”. Albanian confectioner Salam Allaraj is known for his refined desserts. With his artwork on the plate, he has long made a name for himself in the culinary world. But until then, it was no mean feat for him, as “Albora” reports.
Salam Allaraj grew up in Topojan, a village near the Albanian city of Kukës. His family did not have much money. Instead of going to school, he had to lend a hand and help the family with the livestock. In 1995, his brothers traveled to Greece to find work and help the family economically. The two men were killed. She had lit a heater in her room to keep from freezing. They fell asleep and suffocated.
Death struck little Salam hard. Years passed and when he was old enough, he also left home. With a big dream: to become a pastry chef. His great-grandfather was already a passionate pastry chef and even owned two shops.
“Once you’re good, jealousy comes”
In 2007, Allaraj traveled to Italy, but had to work first in construction and then as a waiter. “I taught myself Italian,” he tells “Albora.” And finally, in 2012, he got a job in a hotel in Rimini. According to the Albanian, baking helped him in particularly difficult times.
He now lives in Venice, works in a restaurant and is famous for his sweet dishes. “I’m very happy with it.” But at the same time, I felt the pressure to get even better – and also the envy of other pastry chefs. “Once you’re good, jealousy, envy, and anger come from others.” But he didn’t interfere, ignored the others and did his thing.
Allaraj does not yet know if he will ever return to his homeland and open a pastry shop there like his grandfather did. But he doesn’t rule it out. “In any case, I am always very happy when I read the comments from my friends at home and from all over the world!” (Hi)