Richard Matheri Kamau
Chef
Nairobi
Summary
Calm, dedicated culinary professional with a passion for creating exceptional dishes and thriving in dynamic kitchen environments. Energized by the fast pace of a busy kitchen, committed to delivering memorable dining experiences that bring joy to patrons. A natural leader excelling in task delegation and execution with precision, while embracing the creative freedom that cooking offers. Eager to contribute to a forward-thinking culinary team that values talent and enthusiasm, with a strong desire to build a rewarding career in the culinary arts.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
3
3
Languages
Work History
Chef
Tasty Cuisine
01.2025 - Current
- Private Dining Experiences
- Cooking a tailored multi-course meal in a client’s home.
- Often for small gatherings, birthdays, anniversaries, or date nights.
- Meal Prep Services
- Preparing weekly meals for busy families or professionals.
- Could be health-focused (keto, vegan, gluten-free, etc.).
- Specialized Cuisine Services
- Focus on niche cuisines (Indian, fine dining, African, etc.).
- Cooking Classes
- Teaching individuals, families, or groups how to cook certain dishes.
- Can be in-person or online
- Vacation / Travel Private Chef (Kenya on A Budget Safaris)
- Cooking for clients on holiday (beach houses, safaris, yacht trips, etc.).
- Usually includes travel and accommodation.
- Corporate Chef / Freelancer
- Offering services to offices (team lunches, chef demos, pop-ups)
Chef de Partie
Emory, Kileleshwa
08.2023 - 12.2024
- Full responsibility for a designated kitchen section (e.g., grill, sauce, pastry, fish, or vegetables).
- Ensure all mise en place (preparation) is completed before service.
- Cook and present dishes to the restaurant’s standard consistently.
- Prepare, cook, and plate dishes according to recipes and standards.
- Assist with menu planning by contributing ideas and testing new dishes.
- Ensure correct portioning and quality control.
- Maintain strict hygiene, cleanliness, and sanitation standards.
- Follow food safety regulations
- Store food properly and check stock rotation (FIFO – First In, First Out).
- Supervise and guide Commis Chefs or Kitchen Porters working in their section.
- Communicate effectively with other sections to ensure smooth service.
- Report issues, shortages, or equipment faults to the Sous Chef.
- Monitor and manage stock levels for the assigned section.
- Reduce food wastage by using ingredients efficiently.
- Assist in ordering and receiving stock when required.
- Ensure dishes are presented attractively and consistently.
- Work under pressure during busy service hours.
- Support other sections if needed to maintain service flow.
Chef de Partie
AV Lounge, Lavington
11.2021 - 07.2023
- Supervise daily kitchen operations, ensuring food quality, presentation, and consistency.
- Create seasonal and customized menus based on customer preferences and market trends.
- Train, mentor, and schedule kitchen staff to maintain high culinary standards.
- Monitor inventory, control food costs, and minimize waste.
- Ensure compliance with health, safety, and sanitation regulations.
- Collaborate with management for event catering, special menus, and promotions.
- Prepared and plated dishes according to restaurant standards.
- Assisted in menu development and contributed creative ideas for daily specials.
- Maintained workstation cleanliness and followed strict hygiene practices.
- Supported senior chefs in banquets, private dining, and large-scale catering events.
- Monitored food storage and stock rotation to reduce waste.
Chef de Partie
Nation Staff Consumer Society ltd, Moi Avenue Nairobi
05.2018 - 03.2020
- Ensuring that the production, preparation and presentation of food are of the highest quality at all times.
- Following good preservation standards for the proper handling of all food at the right temperature.
- Coordinating daily tasks with sous Chef.
- Filling in as required in other stations
- Establishing and maintaining effective inter-departmental working relationships.
- Following the instructions and recommendation from the immediate superiors to complete daily tasks.
Chef Poissonnier, Friturier, Grillardin
Sirumba White Meat Hub, Utawala
08.2017 - 05.2018
- Responsible for the efficient running of the kitchen area.
- Directly in charge of the overall preparation of the food served in the dining hall.
- Cooking up tasty, nutritious and well-balanced meals for the customers.
- Assisting in the basic preparation of the food under the supervision of the head chef.
- Deciding on the qualities of food to be cooked and size of portion to be served.
- Creating dishes for clients with special dietary or cultural needs.
- Negotiating with representatives on the price of orders and supplies.
Chef de Partie
Rumourz Club, Moi Avenue Nairobi
10.2016 - 06.2017
- Successfully fulfilled special events orders for a variety of occasions, including birthday parties, music artist shows, graduations, and meetings.
- Provided hands-on leadership to establish quality operations characterized by high level service and table presentation.
- Prepared a new menu as per every day to bring more clients and make them enjoy new tastes.
- Assisted in making daily returns and stock taking.
- Issued instructions to other kitchen staff and ensured they are dressed correctly to satisfy statutory requirements and enhance the image of the establishment.
Commis Chef
Upperhill Springs Hotel, Nairobi
02.2016 - 10.2016
- Joined hands with chef de partie in delivering consistently high-quality food.
- Handled purchase orders.
- Ensured items arriving are according to quality and quantity.
- Keep section staffs organized.
- Being aware of profit margins and keeping wastes to a minimum.
- Developed new dishes and menus with assistance of the chef de partie.
Commis Chef
Famous Inn, Moi Avenue,Nairobi
02.2015 - 01.2016
- Food preparation assistant
- Kitchen maintenance
- Stock and deliveries
- Team support
Kitchen Porter
Flame Grill Company, Donholm Estate
03.2014 - 01.2015
- After my main KNEC exam I got a chance to join Flame grill company for attachment. It dealt with the Ala' carte menu. After one week of learning, I was positioned as the Ala 'cart chef.
- Pizza production
- Sandwich preparation
- Grilling of chicken
- Coffee roasting
- Stock taking.
Education
Certificate - Advanced Barista Course
Dormans Barista Coffee Training Centre
11-2019
Certificate - Catering and Hotel Management
Mukuru Skills Training Centre
12-2013
Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education - undefined
Kihuti High School
01-2012
Kenya Certificate of Primary Education - undefined
Kihuti Primary School
01-2008
Skills
Menu design and recipe formulation
Kitchen leadership
Food safety compliance
Inventory management
Culinary meal preparation
Culinary menu design
Culinary operations management
Food safety standards
Team coordination
Expense management
Food safety compliance
Preventive equipment maintenance
Culinary dish development
Culinary presentation
Culinary techniques
Business administration
Advanced grilling techniques
Menu development
Food storage
Recipe development
Menu planning
Recipe creation
Seafood preparation
Customer service
Ingredient knowledge
Pasta making
Culinary expertise
Food inventories
Portion and cost control
Kitchen equipment operation
Operations management
Sanitation guidelines
Fine-dining expertise
Pastry skills
Vegetarian cooking
Vegan cooking
Nutrition
Grilling and deep frying skills
Waste control
Cold food preparation
Kitchen operations management
Company safety standards
Extracurricular Activities
Volunteered as a cook for homeless community programs. Assisted as a cook at various public events. Active member of the Junior Chef Club. Volunteered as a cook for homeless community programs. Assisted as a cook at various public events. Active member of the Junior Chef Club.
Interests
In my spare time, I enjoy exploring foreign cuisines and new cultures, which often inspire me to create new dishes to introduce in the restaurant, I like entertaining friends and cooking for others, I enjoy swimming and going to the gym
Timeline
Chef
Tasty Cuisine
01.2025 - Current
Chef de Partie
Emory, Kileleshwa
08.2023 - 12.2024
Chef de Partie
AV Lounge, Lavington
11.2021 - 07.2023
Chef de Partie
Nation Staff Consumer Society ltd, Moi Avenue Nairobi
05.2018 - 03.2020
Chef Poissonnier, Friturier, Grillardin
Sirumba White Meat Hub, Utawala
08.2017 - 05.2018
Chef de Partie
Rumourz Club, Moi Avenue Nairobi
10.2016 - 06.2017
Commis Chef
Upperhill Springs Hotel, Nairobi
02.2016 - 10.2016
Commis Chef
Famous Inn, Moi Avenue,Nairobi
02.2015 - 01.2016
Kitchen Porter
Flame Grill Company, Donholm Estate
03.2014 - 01.2015
Certificate - Catering and Hotel Management
Mukuru Skills Training Centre
Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education - undefined
Kihuti High School
Kenya Certificate of Primary Education - undefined
Kihuti Primary School
Certificate - Advanced Barista Course
Dormans Barista Coffee Training Centre