Vivian Nastanje
Chef
Nairobi,Kenya
Summary
Top-notch professional with expertise in menu development, kitchen management and staff training. Creates unique and delicious dishes while controlling food and labor costs. Collaborative and committed to seeking feedback from customers and staff to improve kitchen workflows.
Overview
3
3
years of professional experience
8
8
years of post-secondary education
2
2
Languages
Work History
Lounge Chef
Bosphorus Limited Company
Nairobi
09.2022 - Current
- Continually improved kitchen safety by enforcing strict hygiene protocols and staff training on equipment usage.
- Optimized food preparation processes, implementing time-saving techniques without compromising quality.
- Collaborated effectively with front-of-house team for seamless dining experience and positive customer feedback.
- Cultivated a positive work culture among kitchen staff through open communication lines and mutual respect within the team.
- Successfully met dietary requirements for diverse clientele by providing customized meal options upon request.
- Checked freezer and refrigerator prior to each shift to verify correct temperatures.
- Prevented cross-contamination from utensils, surfaces, and pans when cooking and plating meals for food allergy sufferers.
- Prepared meals from scratch using authentic, popular recipes to generate repeat business.
- Responded to dietary concerns and food allergies, creating dishes to meet customer needs and palates.
- Maintained well-organized mise en place to keep work consistent.
- Cooked memorable dishes that brought new customers into establishment.
Junior Chef
Nkubu Heritage Hotel
Meru
03.2021 - 07.2022
- Ensured proper rotation of stock items based on expiration dates to maintain freshness and minimize waste.
- Performed regular equipment maintenance checks, identifying issues early on, and taking appropriate action to prevent downtime and loss of productivity.
- Efficiently managed multiple tasks simultaneously while maintaining focus on priorities within a fast-paced setting.
- Developed strong relationships with vendors to source high-quality ingredients at competitive prices for the restaurant''s needs.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by preparing and presenting visually appealing dishes in a timely manner.
- Maintained high standards of cleanliness and sanitation in all work areas, ensuring compliance with health regulations.
- Collaborated with senior chefs to develop new menu items, resulting in increased sales and positive feedback.
- Implemented time management strategies to ensure that each dish was prepared accurately and served promptly.
- Managed inventory efficiently, reducing food waste and maximizing cost savings for the restaurant.
- Supported catering events by assisting with food preparation, plating, and serving as needed for large-scale functions.
- Participated in weekly meetings with management to discuss menu changes, ingredient sourcing, and other operational improvements.
- Adapted quickly to new recipes, techniques, and equipment changes within the kitchen environment.
- Provided excellent customer service when interacting with guests during special requests or dietary restrictions inquiries.
- Consistently met or exceeded quality expectations while adhering to strict recipe guidelines and presentation standards.
Education
Bachelor's Degree - BSc Food Service And Hospitality Management
Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology
Nairobi 09.2016 - 05.2020
KCSE
Archbishop Njenga Girls' High School
Kakamega 02.2011 - 05.2015
Skills
Food hygieneCustomer serviceFood presentationHACCP analysisTeam playerCost controlGMPSensory evaluationQuality evaluation
Coordinating Kitchen Staff
Food Prep Planning
Inventory Management
Staff Training
Safe Food Handling
Kitchen Operations Oversight
Quality Assurance
Special diets understanding
Food pairing
Pasta Making
Garnishing Techniques
Hospitality service expertise
Recipe creation
Personal Information
- Gender: Female
- Nationality: Kenyan
References
- Brian Kithinji, Head Chef, Nkubu Heritage Hotel, bmunene23@gmail.com
- Evelyne Okoth, Lecturer, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, eokoth@jkuat.ac.ke
- Delia Bukuttsa, Supervisor, Turkish Star Airlines, deliabukutsa@gmail.com
Timeline
Lounge Chef
Bosphorus Limited Company
09.2022 - Current
Junior Chef
Nkubu Heritage Hotel
03.2021 - 07.2022
Bachelor's Degree - BSc Food Service And Hospitality Management
Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology
09.2016 - 05.2020
KCSE
Archbishop Njenga Girls' High School
02.2011 - 05.2015