When Dovydas Zenkevičius contacted the Employment Service, an advisor put him in touch with ‘Enhancing the Social Competences of Young People’, a European Social Fund (ESF)-supported project that aims to help young people overcome social challenges that may lead to isolation. This turned out to be the start of an exciting culinary career: ‘Food is not just a dish for me, but much more. It is a connection between people, cooperation, a part of culture,’ he says.

Originally from Marijampole and currently living in Vilnius, Dovydas admits that its food and culture have completely changed his life. Feeling the need for personal change a few years ago, David turned to the food sector to find his way. ‘I was not only looking for a job – I wanted a change in my life. I was overweight, it was the wrong way of life for me. I had to get hooked for something to change,’ says Dovydas.

The first job related to food was in a burger restaurant: ‘I learned to work in the kitchen, and at one of the restaurants where I worked for a couple of years, I gained experience working with cuisine from different countries... Later, I started working on and serving larger events.’

Dovydas liked the work and had not let go of his dream to become an entrepreneur. He heard about an opportunity from the Employment Service and decided it could be his chance to start his own business. During the pandemic he started to create and promote his blog and brand, ‘ZEN Kitchen’. He shared food stories, worked with gourmet snacks, prepared sandwiches and experimented.

Dovydas continues, ‘I am recognisable by this brand; I am invited to service events that I hope will recover now. At the moment, while the grant award process is underway, I am also in charge of setting up a small community,’ he says.

After receiving support from the project, Dovydas plans to buy a car for delivering goods and working at events. ‘Now I am happy to have unique dishes that are valued by customers, and I believe that I will be able to create a sustainable brand for ZEN Kitchen in the future.’

Because of the help he received from the ‘Enhancing the Social Competences of Young People project’, funded by the ESF, Dovydas has overcome his problems and now dreams to expand his business: ‘I would like to supply my products all over Lithuania – whether it be cafés, restaurants or personal celebrations of companies or people.’