Not everyone gets to turn their passion into a full-time career, let alone share that journey with the love of their life. But for 51-year-old Chito Zafra, a chef and owner of Papa Chits Restaurant DMCC in Dubai, his love for cooking—matched with his wife Rachelle’s unwavering support—has brought him from the dusty corners of a desert farmhouse to a cozy kitchen serving Filipino comfort food in the heart of the UAE.
Chito’s story began in 2011, just five months after he and Rachelle tied the knot. “We started our OFW life in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, working as cleaners in a palace,” he recalled. “We were newlyweds, but we knew that working abroad was the only way to secure our future.” What began as a leap of faith eventually paved the way for an inspiring 14-year journey marked by perseverance, faith, and flavorful Filipino cuisine.
Life in the desert and the seed of a dream
After nearly five years in Saudi Arabia, Chito and Rachelle moved to Dubai in 2016. But life didn’t immediately get easier. “We worked as caretakers of a farmhouse in Al Qudra—literally in the middle of the desert. No neighbors, no convenience, and plenty of boredom,” he said. But even in isolation, their motivation remained strong: to build a better future for their family.
What kept them going wasn’t just their dream—it was their faith. “We held on to Colossians 3:23, ‘Whatever you do, do it for the glory of God.’ That gave us the strength to overcome our daily struggles,” Chito shared. “Settling down? We left that to God’s perfect timing.”
Despite the tough conditions, the couple used this quiet time to strengthen their bond and experiment with cooking. “Cooking has always been our passion,” Chito said. “It’s what brings us joy and what we’re good at. We dreamed of turning it into something more.”
The birth of Papa Chits Restaurant
In 2023, that dream finally materialized. Papa Chits Restaurant was born—serving Filipino and Chinese dishes crafted with love and authenticity. “This is the highlight of my career—or should I say our career—because my wife and I are in this together,” Chito said. “We’re both the master cooks for the Filipino dishes and pastries.”
Their buko pie quickly became a crowd favorite, turning curious first-timers into loyal repeat customers. “There’s nothing more satisfying than seeing people come back for more, hearing them say how much they love our food. That’s what fuels us every day,” he beamed.
But running a restaurant is far from easy. “When we were employees, we worked during the day and slept peacefully at night. Now, even when we’re sleeping, our minds are still working,” Chito admitted. “Some days, we only get two customers. It makes you question things, but we remind ourselves of God’s promises and the people who believe in us—our customers, our friends, and each other.”
Looking ahead with faith and gratitude
As they move forward, Chito and Rachelle dream of one day bringing Papa Chits back to the Philippines. “God willing, we’d love to bring our restaurant home and continue what we’ve started,” he said. But beyond the business, Chito hopes to carry with him the values that shaped his journey.
A former 10-year volunteer with Operation Blessing Philippines under CBN Asia, Chito was once part of medical missions, feeding programs, and water sanitation efforts. Helping others has always been part of his DNA—and he hopes that wherever life takes him next, he can keep doing just that.
When asked what advice he has for fellow OFWs facing tough times abroad, Chito didn’t hesitate: “Always put God first in everything you do. Don’t be reckless. Think, pray, and then think and pray again. Remember why you started. Live within your means. And above all, the secret to happiness and success is contentment.”
