This is Chengdu｜My Heart is in the Countryside

Bernie's life has spanned three continents, from Mauritius to Australia, and now to China. From a financial elite to a rural chef, he now cooks every dish with heart in the fields of Dujiangyan, Chengdu, carrying memories of his hometown and finding a warm haven that belongs to him, thereby starting a new chapter in his life.

Bernie, whose full name is Hans Bernard Pierre Noel, was born in 1975 in Mauritius, a beautiful island country with blue sea and warm sunshine east to the African continent where he spent his happy childhood and learned the basics of cooking from his grandfather, a local cooking master. Bernie emigrated to Australia in 2004 and worked in the sector of banking for years, and often felt worn out by his monotonous life and seemingly respected profession that only served to sharpen his longing for a more humanitarian and close-to-nature lifestyle.

In 2007, Bernie got to know Lulu, a girl from Dujiangyan City who later became his wife, at a party. He then followed in the footsteps of of Lulu to Chengdu and started the new chapter of his life. Now he owns a western food restaurant called NYST at Yongshou community in Xingfu sub-district in Dujiangyan City, where he is also the manager and chef.

Thanks to the support from local governments, the community authorities and the neighborhood, his new career is not as difficult as he expected. “I've got so much help that makes my life and business easier, from the community, the neighborhood and the exit-entry department, as well as from my neighbors and clients,” Bernie noted, “Their help makes me confident and full of hope.”

“From my experience, I think Chengdu is a good place for entrepreneurship,” he said, “Everyone, including foreign expats, has opportunities for his career development, whether he is in the city or in rural areas.” He insists that young people with plans to set up their own business must have the courage to try.

With the business environment constantly improving, Bernie wishes more young people engage themselves in entrepreneurship in rural areas. “I have a dream that more people in my neighborhood can open their bakeries, coffee shops, flower shops and boutique shops around here.” In his hope, with all the efforts from him and other people, the area will be a pilot development zone that encompasses the businesses in catering, tourism and rural revitalization.
Source: HomeinChengdu