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Executive Chef Culinary Arts

Location:
Nairobi, Nairobi County, Kenya
Salary:
5000 USD
Posted:
June 12, 2025

Contact this candidate

Resume:

PETERSON MUTHUI

MWENDWA

Executive Chef

Personal details

****@**************.**.**

**********@*****.***

**********@*****.***

+254-***-******

+254-***-******

P.O. Box 40612 -00100

Nairobi. Kenya

July 10, 1970

Male

Kenyan

https://princepeterson.co.ke/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/prince-

peterson-2ba43235/

Skills

Microsoft Office efficient

Point of Sale (POS) Systems

Menu Engineering & Development

Menu Portioning, Costing & Pricing

Interpersonal Team Building

Fine Dining Etiquette

Food Cost Management

Profile

PETERSON MUTHUI MWENDWA

DIRECTOR OF CULINARY ARTS & MOLECULAR GASTRONOMY

A passionate Level 1 & 2 HACCP certified Executive Chef with over 25 years of culinary experience, seeking an opportunity to join your professional team as an Executive Chef. Recognized for innovative recipes and cost-effective kitchen management. I have a passion for cooking and an awareness of contemporary and innovative developments within the food and Hotel industry, as well as the international standards. An award-winning executive chef with experience in menu planning, effective cost controls, employee training and development, and Microsoft skills, ensuring positive kitchen operational flow and strong F&B revenue record while maintaining employee retention through continuous staff engagement, training, and innovation. A result-oriented Executive Chef who manages the kitchen and monitors the standards and qualities of food in line with the service vision and creative concepts of the Hotel Industry at heart. Strengths

A Mastery Executive Chef with Cooking Philosophy and Technology.

Efficient multitasker, Team Player, and strong leadership with exceptional team-building skills

An AAS (Associate of Applied Science) in Culinary Arts and Molecular Gastronomy

Recognized as the only Executive Chef in Kenya with Molecular Gastronomy techniques

Specializing in unique fusion cuisine. Multi-Cuisine. Conversant in Continental, Indian, Italian/Mediterranean, Oriental/Chinese/Japanese Sushi, African/Swahili, French, Mexican, etc.

Proficient with restaurant management software such as MC, SBA, HotelPlus, POS, Pronto, Acumatica, etc.

Education

July 2009 – July 2011 BACHELOR'S DEGREE IN CULINARY ARTS AND MOLECULAR GASTRONOMY

LE CORDON BLEU, California Culinary Academy, 350

Rhode Island St, San Francisco, California

Phone: +1-800-***-****

https://www.culinaryschoolsu.com/le cordon bleu

May 2008 – May 2009 HIGHER DIPLOMA IN CULINARY ARTS Culinary Arts Academy, “César Ritz” Colleges, Route Cantonale 51a, 1897, Le Bouveret, SWITZERLAND

Phone: +41-24-482-**-**

https://www.cesarritzcolleges.edu

March – April 2002

March – April 1999

March – April 1998

March – April 1996

CERTIFICATES IN FOOD PRODUCTION

Kenya Utalii College,

P.O. Box 31052, Nairobi, Kenya

Phone: +254-***-******

https:// https://utalii.ac.ke

March – April 2010 COMPUTER TRAINING

UNIX CENTRE FOR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

P.O.Box 2157 – 00900 Nairobi, Kenya

Tel. +254-***-******

Feb. 1987 – Nov. 1990

Jan.1979 – Nov. 1986

High School Education

High School - Kyuso Boys High School

Kitui County, Kenya

Primary School Education

Kalimbui Primary School, Kitui County, Kenya

Inter-Communication Leadership

Cost Controls & Waste Management

Married

11102208

AK0534664

Catering & Banqueting

Hands-on & Team player

HR Procedures & Problem-solving

Pre-opening Procedures

Event Management

SOPs Setting & Implementation

Food Preparation & Presentations

Kitchen Management & Leadership

Inventory Management & Controls

Staff Training and Development

Customer Feedback Handling

Recipe Development & Adaptation

HACCP Training, Set-up &

Implementation

Sanitation, Hygiene & Safety

Standards Set-up Implementation

Team Leadership & Motivation

Exceeding Expectations Customer

Service

Adaptability to Pressure & Conditions

Organized Time Management

Attention to Detail & Requirements

Creative Culinary Techniques

Culinary Problem Resolutions

Ingredients sourcing and quality

control.

Languages

English

Swahili

Kamba

June 2021 to Date Executive Sous Chef

American Embassy Juba with RA International

Achievements:

Completely responsible for the Food Service Operation, including:

3 International outlets and Room Service,

Training and presentations on food.

Ambassadors entertaining

VIP functions and Banquets (up to 500 pax)

Concept reviews and Menu engineering.

Private Chef for the US Ambassador with Butler Service.

Also in charge of the UN (United Nations) Camp.

May 2019 to July 2021 Executive Chef

The Nairobi Club, Nairobi, Kenya

Achievements:

Leads operations of the two outlet kitchens.

Implemented ergonomic and energy-efficient design for the kitchen and dining area layout.

Develops menu and oversees food preparation, staff supervision, quality control, supplies inventory and vendor negotiations.

Implemented procurement strategies to minimize costs and ensure timely delivery. Developed food preparation techniques and a supplies ordering system that

minimized wastage.

Assign stations and work shifts to the Executive Sous Chef, Sous Chefs, line cooks, and all kitchen crew for maximum productivity.

Safeguards excellent food quality and presentation to ensure the restaurant standards are kept and

maintained.

Ensures HACCP is followed at all times, seeking input from the QHSE officer if necessary

March 2018 – Feb 2019 Executive Chef

Royal Tulip Canaan Nairobi - Louvre Group of Hotels - Kenya

Achievements:

Supervised 37 staff involved in full Kitchen-service operations – sous chefs, line cooks, and Kitchen

stewards. Directed all food preparation and catering activities.

Switched to MC restaurant management software,

which improved customer service and led to a 50%

sales increase.

Developed an international fusion menu, which was instrumental in the Royal Tulip’s turnaround and 70% increase in guest traffic. This oversaw service

operations for two outlets, generating KES 37M annual food sales revenue.

Develops guidelines for hiring staff to maximize efficiency and minimize labor costs without

compromising the quality of food and customer service. Employment

Client Satisfaction & Retention

Collaborating Effectively with Other

Department Heads

Fusion Cooking

Exploring Cuisines

Church Activities

Culinary Photographer

Reading Books

Music

Fitness and Exercise

Food Garnishing

Attending Food Festivals

Volunteering for Community

Food Events

Meditation and Rethinking

Nature Walks & Game Drives

Learning languages

Jan 2015 – Sep 2017 Executive Chef

Best Western Coral Beach Hotel, Dar es Salaam,

Tanzania

Achievements:

Planned the menu and executed daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner buffet in the two restaurants with 300

seating capacity.

Achieved TSH200 million in gross sales revenues

within one month, i.e., December 2015.

I hired, trained, and supervised 60 kitchen staff. Coordinated with shift leaders on rotating work shifts and performance evaluation of the kitchen crew.

Collaborated with Sous Chefs on buffet menu

development, layout, and themes for the daily,

weekend, and special occasions.

Served plated lunches and dinners for up to 1,000 people and buffet lunches for up to 3,000 people

almost daily.

Aug 2011 – Jan 2015 Pre-Opening Executive Chef

Chobe Safari Lodge - Madhavani Group Ltd

Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda

Achievements:

Re-developed the Lodge menu in 2012, which helped in increasing revenue by 100%

Developed a process to reduce food waste, tremendously boosting the supply turnover by 70%

I interviewed, trained, and guided all direct kitchen staff since 2011, improving kitchen operational flow by 40%

Maintained 100% employee retention through positive interaction, guidance, and motivation

Maintaining a safe and hygienic working environment, including proper storage and labeling of food, equipment, and utensils

Conducts regular training and coaching for my team. Ensure HACCP records of food safety are duly filled out and complied with.

June 2009 – May 2010 Pre-Opening Executive Chef

Shooting Star Lodge, Zanzibar, Tanzania

Achievements:

Opened the Camp and set and implemented the

SOPs of the kitchen. Set and implemented the

Health and Safety measures in the lodge and as

per many company policies. Trained in first aid,

fire, and emergency procedures.

Undertook menu planning and execution in

liaison with F& B Manager and the General

Manager

Oversaw kitchen production, food preparation,

and employee engagement while ensuring

100% food safety procedures were followed

Meet with the General Manager and customers

to discuss menus for special occasions such as

weddings, parties, anniversaries, birthday

parties, etc.

Monitored food costs and investigated the

reasons why it may be high or low. Resolved

customer problems and concerns personally

Traveling

Hobbies

Awards

10 Nov 2020 – Aspire Food Safety

Standards

04 Oct 2016 – HACCP Level II

06 Aug 2005 – HACCP Level I

16 Oct 2018 – Food Safety &

Hygiene

10 May 2002 – Confrerie de la

Chaine des Rôtisseurs

16 Oct 2022 – Food Safety &

Hygiene

01 June 1997 – Garnishing and

Presentation

June 2006 – May 2008 Pre-Opening Executive Chef

Tipilikwani Mara Camp, Nairobi, Kenya

Achievements:

Set and maintained a safe and hygienic working

environment, including proper storage and labeling of food, equipment, and utensils.

Developed new menu options based on seasonal

changes and customer demand. Meet sales

representatives and suppliers, and negotiate prices and other supplies

Checked on the quality of the market supplies, e.g., vegetables, meat, fruits, etc. Purchased and took care of all the operating equipment like stoves, fridges, pots, etc., in the kitchen

April 2003 – May 2006 Executive Sous Chef

Jacaranda Hotel Ltd, Nairobi, Kenya

Achievements:

Receiving food items from suppliers and checking on their quality. Checking on the quality of food before dispensing as per the Hotel standards. Ensuring that enough Mise en place for service is done on time.

Requisition of all the raw materials needed as per the day’s menu

Dec 2006 - Jun 2009 Sous Chef

Nairobi Safari Club, Nairobi, Kenya

Achievements:

Prepared banquet menus for parties, conferences, and weddings. Created menu planning with daily

specials. Accomplished banquet scheduling, food

storage, and other banquet functions for groups of 30 and above

Feb 2000 – Jan 2001 Sous Chef

Trattoria Restaurant LTD, Nairobi, Kenya

Achievements:

Ensured that kitchen activities operate promptly.

Monitored and recorded inventory, and if necessary, ordered new supplies.

Provided support to junior kitchen employees with various tasks, including line cooking, food

preparation, and dish plating.

Jan 1999 – Jan 2000 Sous Chef

The Pelican Grill, Nairobi, Kenya

Achievements:

Recruited and trained new kitchen employees to

meet restaurant and kitchen standards.

Created schedules for kitchen employees and

evaluated their performance.

Adhered to and implemented sanitation and safety regulations. Managed the kitchen team in the

executive chef's absence..

Membership

Feb 2019 – Date:

The President

of the Board

Culinary Professional

Society of Kenya (CPSK)

Sep 1998 – Dec 1998 Chef de Partie Tournante

Royal Reserve Beach Club, Mombasa, Kenya

Achievements:

Estimated the daily production needs and checked the quality of raw and cooked food products, ensuring that standards are met.

Ensured that the production, preparation, and

presentation of food are of the highest quality at all times.

Sep 1996 – Feb 1998 Pre-Opening Head Chef

Cha Cha Restaurant, Mombasa, Kenya

Achievements:

Oversaw the daily operations of the staff and kitchen.

Created new menu items that reflect innovation.

Ordered all ingredients and maintained the necessary inventory.

Enforced all safety regulations and ensured restaurant cleanliness.

Ensured customer satisfaction and collected feedback on menu items.

Continually check the quality of the culinary product. Nov 1992 – Oct 1994 Commis Chef to Demi Chef

Southern Palms Beach Resort, Mombasa, Kenya

Achievements:

Worked in the designated station as set by the

Executive Chef and/or Sous Chef.

Organized the assigned work station and efficiently put away orders.

CERTIFICATIONS

HACCP - Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points

OSH – Occupational Safety & Health

HCESOP – Healthy Conscious Establishment Standards Operating Procedures

SCP - Safe Catering Procedures.

FIRST AID AT WORK.

FIRE MARSHALS

REFEREES

Mr. Ernest Kavingo

General Manager, West Breeze Hotel

Tel. No +254-*********

*************@*****.***

https://www.westbreezehotel.com

Mr. David Matiri

General Manager, Silver Green Hotel

Tel: +254-*********

*******@*****.***

https://www.silversprings-hotel.com



Contact this candidate