Keeping it in the family: German family in Dubai finds joy (and business) in baking bread

Dubai-resident and German national Sven Mostegel believes business is like bread: If the ingredients are honest and the mix is right, the result is something amazing. It’s a mantra he carries close to his heart.

In a world that often prioritises speed over soul, the story of Sven’s Baker’s Kitchen offers a refreshing reminder that family, tradition, and purpose can coexist — and thrive — in the heart of a modern metropolis like Dubai.

At the centre of this story is Sven, a certified German master baker, civil engineer, and performance coach who followed his calling to the UAE in 2003. What began as a simple love for real bread and wellness has grown into a homegrown brand that’s rewriting the rules of family entrepreneurship.

“My foundation was built by my parents,” Sven recalls. “My father was a passionate master baker. My mother? The heart of customer connection and the soul of our family business. Today, my most important mentor is my wife, Heike. She mirrors my values every day.”  

Together with Heike — a trained chef and the first European female sushi master — and daughters Maya and Naya, the Mostegels have built much more than a bakery. The couple has created a community hub, where people come not just to eat, but to connect, work, share stories, and feel at home.

Sven’s Baker’s Kitchen is registered and licensed in Dubai and has been operating for over a decade. Currently, the brand has three franchise locations: Dubai CommerCity (DCC), City Walk, and Al Bazel Road. A fourth one is in development at Dubai Marina.

The couple’s business approach is refreshingly simple: do what brings joy. And for this family, the joy comes in waves every day — with each sourdough loaf that rises perfectly, with the aroma of seasonal dishes, and with the heartfelt conversations that dust the kitchen counter.

 “In our family, the goal is simple: Do what brings joy. For me, that joy comes from helping people through healthy, flavourful, soul-nourishing bread,” adds Sven, who has a PhD in project management. 

Dr Sven Mostegl, Chef Heike Mostegl, D. Maya Mostegl, and Naya Mostegl at Svens  Bakers Kitchen in Dubai.  

Heike adds:  “I’ve worked with Sven even back in Germany. It’s not just that he’s my husband — it’s the way  he lives and what he does. He’s passionate, honest, and deeply committed to helping people, not chasing profits. Life with him is never boring — it’s sometimes exhausting, but always meaningful. Together, we’ve built Sven’s Baker’s Kitchen as a reflection of our shared values.”

Everyone’s involved

That passion seems to have been inherited by the next generation.  Maya, who is already involved in the business’s creative side, says, “I love that I get to share ideas and be part of it all. For my dad, everyone is a friend — even those who don’t like him. He always says, ‘The biggest gift we have is life itself.’ And he lives that — with us, in Sven’s Baker’s Kitchen, and in Sven the Baker.  His upcoming book, The Bread Revolution – Bread: Curse or Blessing?  is incredible. Mom and I already read it twice — not because he’s my dad, but because it’s real, powerful, and deeply honest. Everyone should read it.”

Today, as the family serves German-inspired cuisine across Dubai, participates in national sustainability initiatives, and prepares to launch a new outlet, the Mostegels stand as a modern-day blueprint for family-run enterprises. They prove that authenticity, wellness, and purpose can rise beautifully when nurtured with love.

Sven attributes his success to the UAE . He explains: “The UAE welcomed me with open arms. The multicultural community here deeply values German craftsmanship and quality. At Sven’s Baker’s Kitchen, our guests find more than food — they find honesty, tradition, and innovation blended into every loaf and plate. What’s special is that not only our German sourdough baking is appreciated, our modern German kitchen is becoming a rising star. People here seek healthy, clean, full-flavoured food. The UAE has given me the space to build this vision with purpose and authenticity.”

Building bridges 

Sven recalls: “We were the first bakery brand in Expo history to speak on bread, health, and sustainability. My first book was written here — the second is underway. And I’m honoured to contribute to national initiatives like the grain renaturation project under the leadership of Dr Khalifa Al Tunaiji, Chairman of the Sharjah Department of Agriculture and Livestock, commissioned by Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah. These moments remind me that bread can build more than meals — it  can build bridges.”

In the end, what makes Sven’s Baker’s Kitchen so beloved isn’t just its crusty sourdough or health-forward menu. It’s the heart baked into every slice — the story of a family that dared to mix business with love, and rose together.  

Tips for families planning to start a business

• Love what you do – or don’t do it at all. 

• Passion is the soul of any good business. 

• Be honest. Don’t invent stories – tell your truth. If your concept benefits people, you’re already ahead.

• Surround yourself with professionals, especially in marketing and legal setup. 

• Marketing must be done by people who love their job just as much as you love yours. And legal advice? Don’t cut corners. Good legal support based on real experience is everything.