From Streets to Head Chef: Lilyma Khan’s Journey of Survival, Resilience and Reinvention
New Delhi, May 4: Lilyma Khan, now head chef at Dear Donna, has built a career in the culinary world after overcoming years of extreme hardship, including homelessness, child labour and abuse.
Lilyma said her earliest memories of food were shaped by watching her father cook for neighbours in Taimoor Nagar. However, her childhood was disrupted early after losing both parents within a year.
She described a period of instability that followed, including the loss of family support and living on the streets as a child. During this time, she relied on collecting scrap and searching for food to survive.
At around the age of 11, she was brought into care through an NGO, where she began formal education for the first time. After a brief return to a difficult home environment, she was later supported by Kilkari Rainbow Home, which helped stabilise her circumstances and continue her schooling.
Her interest in cooking led to an opportunity through the Creative Services Support Group, which facilitated her first role in a restaurant kitchen in Delhi. Starting as a staff cook, she gradually learned professional cooking skills under the guidance of senior chefs.
Over the years, she worked across multiple kitchens, gaining experience and eventually taking on leadership responsibilities. Today, she manages a team of around 35 people at Dear Donna.
Colleagues who have worked with her describe her as disciplined and consistent, noting her ability to work under pressure and adapt quickly in a professional kitchen environment.
Lilyma said her journey reflects the importance of access to education, mentorship and structured support systems in enabling individuals from vulnerable backgrounds to rebuild their lives.
Her story highlights both the challenges faced by children in vulnerable circumstances and the role of institutional support in creating pathways to stability and employment.
Our Final Thoughts
This account underscores how long-term support systems, rather than isolated interventions, can shape outcomes. Access to education, mentorship and stable environments remain critical in enabling upward mobility for vulnerable individuals.
