MERCY WANJIKU NJAI
Nairobi,Kenya
Summary
Dedicated Commis Chef with three years of experience in food preparation, high-volume cooking, and kitchen operations. Expertise in mise en place, recipe compliance, portion control, and HACCP procedures. Proficient in various kitchen stations, ensuring efficient food delivery during peak service. Committed to maintaining high standards in food hygiene and quality while training kitchen staff and fostering teamwork.
Overview
1
1
Certification
3
3
years of post-secondary education
4
4
years of professional experience
Work History
Commis Chef
REDHILL KARTING
12.2025 - Current
- Assisted chefs with prep and cooking efficiently across multiple stations to ensure smooth service.
- Prepared mise en place and set up stations before service.
- Followed recipes, portions, and plating standards for consistency.
- Maintained cleanliness, hygiene, and HACCP food safety standards.
- Stored ingredients properly and monitored stock levels to minimize waste and maintain inventory.
- Supported the team during peak service by quickly adapting to changing priorities and demands.
Relief cook
REDHILL KARTING
01.2025 - 11.2025
- Prepared and served meals for up to 200 guests, ensuring quality and consistency.
- Rotated across the grill, sauté, fry, larder, and pastry stations.
- Followed HACCP: monitored temperatures, logged data, labeled and rotated stock.
- Cleaned and sanitized workstations, equipment, and storage areas daily.
- Cleaned and sanitized workstations, equipment, and storage areas daily.
- Inspected incoming deliveries for quality and accuracy; rotated stock (FIFO), minimized waste, reported shortages.
- Accommodated special dietary needs to enhance guest satisfaction.
- Onboarded and trained new kitchen hands and interns on food prep and cleaning protocols.
Attache’ chef
REDHILL KARTING
08.2024 - 12.2024
- Supported chefs in meal preparation preparing daily meals using standardized recipes.
- Contributed to garde manger, hot kitchen, and pastry stations, enhancing service efficiency during peak hours.
- Maintained HACCP, temperature logs, and allergen controls consistently.
- Oversaw mise en place, stock rotation, and inventory checks to maintain kitchen organization and ingredient availability.
- Assisted chefs preparing daily meals using standardized recipes.
Trainee Chef
ARK LODGE COUNTRY CLUB ABERDARE
08.2023 - 12.2023
- Supported chefs in food preparation and cooking, ensuring timely meal delivery.
- Followed recipes, portion standards, and food-safety procedures.
- Prepared ingredients and maintained kitchen cleanliness.
- Aided in plating and presenting dishes to enhance visual appeal.
- Stored ingredients correctly and monitored stock levels.
- Sanitized kitchen equipment daily to maintain hygiene standards. and work areas.
- Collaborated with team during peak service periods to maintain workflow.
- Trained new kitchen hands and interns in food preparation, cleaning, hygiene, and safe work procedures.
Assistant Cook
JOMO KENYATTA UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE AND TECHNOLOGY
06.2022 - 08.2022
- Prepared ingredients and assisted in cooking meals to ensure timely meal service.
- Followed recipes, portion sizes, and food-safety procedures.
- Assisted with serving meals and maintaining food quality.
- Washed, peeled, and chopped vegetables and stored them in labeled containers for easy access.
- Kept kitchen equipment and work areas clean and sanitized.
- Monitored ingredient inventory levels and communicated shortages to maintain supply.
- Executed instructions from kitchen supervisor and head cook to ensure smooth kitchen operations.
Education
Diploma - food and Beverage Management
KIAMBU NATIONAL POLYTECHNIC
Kiambu , Kenya 09.2022 - 08.2025
Skills
- Food preparation and high-volume cooking
- Mise en place and station setup
- Food quality and presentation
- Food expedition and service-line support
- Recipe compliance and standardisation
- Portion control and plating
- Grill, sauté, fry, larder, and garde manger
- Kitchen hygiene and sanitation
- HACCP procedures and temperature control
- USPH sanitation procedures, if applicable
- Allergen control and safe food handling
- FIFO stock rotation and inventory checks
- Receiving and inspecting food products
- Waste reduction and garbage separation
- Guest hospitality standards
- Team communication and cooperation
- Training kitchen hands and trainees
- High-volume meal production
- Special-diet meal preparation
- Time management and teamwork
Certification
Computer Studies-Jomo Kenyatta University Of Agriculture and Technology|May 2022|
Languages
Fluent English., Fluent Kiswahili.
CUST
Fluent English., Fluent Kiswahili.
Timeline
Commis Chef
REDHILL KARTING
12.2025 - Current
Relief cook
REDHILL KARTING
01.2025 - 11.2025
Attache’ chef
REDHILL KARTING
08.2024 - 12.2024
Trainee Chef
ARK LODGE COUNTRY CLUB ABERDARE
08.2023 - 12.2023
Diploma - food and Beverage Management
KIAMBU NATIONAL POLYTECHNIC
09.2022 - 08.2025
Assistant Cook
JOMO KENYATTA UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE AND TECHNOLOGY
06.2022 - 08.2022