Executive Chef - Global Culinary Leadership Expert

KEITH LAWRENCE

Executive Chef

*****************@*****.*** • +255 061******* (Zanzibar) • +91-986******* (WhatsApp)

SUMMARY

Award-winning Executive Chef with 12+ years in luxury hospitality, having led 7 pre-opening projects across 3 continents (India, UAE, East Africa). Track record of building kitchen operations from the ground up for high-end resorts and restaurants, including Safira Blu Luxury Resort where signature dining concepts attracted presidential-level clientele. Combines rigorous cost control and HACCP compliance with creative menu development — from modern Indian tapas to farm-to-table experiences featured in South African travel media.

Career Trajectory: Well-positioned for a Corporate Executive Chef, Director of Culinary Operations, or multi-property F&B leadership role where pre-opening expertise and cross-cultural experience can drive brand expansion.

CORE EXPERTISE

Pre-opening operations & kitchen planning • Menu development & costing • Budget management & cost control • HACCP & food safety compliance • Staff hiring, training & mentoring • Farm-to-table & sustainable concepts

EXPERIENCE

Executive Chef

Turaco Spice Tree – A Tribute Portfolio Marriott — February 2026 – Till Date

Leading kitchen operations for Business hotel with 58 keys; Marriott Brand Standard compliance, menu development, Buffet planning, budget management, guest relations and team learning & development.

Executive Chef

Amaan Kendwa Beach Resort, Zanzibar — June 2025 – December 2025

Leading kitchen operations for beach resort with 98 keys; menu development, budget management, guest relations, and team development.

Executive Chef (Pre-Opening)

Safira Blu Luxury Resort & Villas, Zanzibar — June 2022 – June 2025

Built kitchen operations from ground up for luxury resort. Created signature dining experiences including Bush Dining (locally-sourced ingredients with traditional techniques), Sand Bank Experience (catch-and-cook on private sandbar), and Farm-to-Table tours. Cooked for President of Tanzania.

F&B Consultant & Executive Chef

RT Hospitality Services (Chef Rakesh Talwar) — Dec 2021 – June 2022

Consulted on restaurant openings across India, Dubai, and Zanzibar including Grape County Eco Resort, Saffron Restaurants, and Veganesha Dubai. Kitchen design, staffing, menu development, and SOP creation.

Executive Chef (Pre-Opening)

VICE Global Tapas Bar, India — Jan 2020 – Dec 2021

Launched modern tapas concept featuring global cuisines; menu curation, seasonal concepts, and full kitchen management.

Executive Chef (Pre-Opening)

O2 Group, India — Mar 2019 – Jan 2020

Modern Indian cuisine focus; traditional dishes with contemporary presentation.

Executive Chef

Butterfly High BKC, Mumbai — June 2017 – Feb 2019

Full kitchen oversight for upscale Mumbai venue; menu design, staff management, quality standards.

Chef de Partie (Pre-Opening)

Oceania Cruises — July 2014 – May 2017

Pan-Asian, French, and American steakhouse stations on luxury cruise line; USPH compliance.

Earlier Experience

Hard Rock Café Mumbai (Cook, Pre-Opening, 2013–14) • Hyatt Regency Mumbai (Trainee, 2011)

EDUCATION

Bachelor's Degree in Hospitality & Food Technology — Mumbai University, 2013 (First Class)

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

Featured on Tropika Island of Treasure (South African TV, 2024) • Cooked for President of Tanzania (2023) • TOP Travel documentary (South Africa, 2023) • Certified Cruise Professional • USPH Certified • Ships Cook Certificate (96% score) • Nestlé Best Chef Award

LANGUAGES

English, Hindi, Marathi, Swahili

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