Background

Our client, a restaurant based in Umoja, Nairobi, is seeking a skilled and passionate Coastal Dishes Chef to join their kitchen team. The ideal candidate should have hands-on experience preparing authentic coastal dishes, a strong understanding of Swahili cuisine, and the ability to consistently deliver delicious, well-presented meals.

The successful candidate must be familiar with the preparation of popular coastal and Swahili dishes and should preferably reside in Umoja or the surrounding areas to facilitate convenient and reliable commuting to work.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare a variety of authentic coastal and Swahili dishes, maintaining traditional flavours and quality standards.
• Prepare popular coastal meals such as pilau, biryani, viazi karai, bhajia, mahamri, chapati, coconut-based dishes, and other Swahili specialities.
• Plan and execute daily food preparation according to the restaurant's menu and customer demand.
• Ensure all meals are prepared, cooked, and presented to a consistently high standard.
• Maintain high standards of food hygiene, kitchen cleanliness, and sanitation.
• Monitor ingredient quantities and ensure proper storage and handling of food items.
• Minimise food wastage while maintaining portion control and cost efficiency.
• Coordinate with other kitchen staff to ensure timely preparation and service of orders.
• Maintain proper organisation of kitchen equipment, utensils, and workstations.
• Assist in menu planning, recipe standardisation, and recommending new coastal dishes where appropriate.
• Observe food safety procedures and ensure compliance with applicable health and hygiene requirements.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Proven experience working as a chef or cook, preferably in a restaurant or similar food-service establishment.
• Strong practical skills in preparing authentic coastal and Swahili cuisine.
• Demonstrable knowledge of coastal cooking techniques, spices, ingredients, and flavour combinations.
• Ability to prepare meals efficiently while maintaining consistent taste and quality.
• Good knowledge of food hygiene, sanitation, and safe food-handling practices.
• Ability to work under pressure in a busy kitchen environment.
• Strong organisational skills, attention to detail, and a commitment to cleanliness.
• Reliability, discipline, teamwork, and a positive attitude.
• Must preferably reside in Umoja or nearby estates and be able to commute reliably to the workplace.
• Relevant culinary training or certification will be an added advantage.

• Prepare a variety of authentic coastal and Swahili dishes, maintaining traditional flavours and quality standards.
• Prepare popular coastal meals such as pilau, biryani, viazi karai, bhajia, mahamri, chapati, coconut-based dishes, and other Swahili specialities.
• Plan and execute daily food preparation according to the restaurant's menu and customer demand.
• Ensure all meals are prepared, cooked, and presented to a consistently high standard.
• Maintain high standards of food hygiene, kitchen cleanliness, and sanitation.
• Monitor ingredient quantities and ensure proper storage and handling of food items.
• Minimise food wastage while maintaining portion control and cost efficiency.
• Coordinate with other kitchen staff to ensure timely preparation and service of orders.
• Maintain proper organisation of kitchen equipment, utensils, and workstations.
• Assist in menu planning, recipe standardisation, and recommending new coastal dishes where appropriate.
• Observe food safety procedures and ensure compliance with applicable health and hygiene requirements.

• Preparing authentic coastal dishes
• Strong understanding of Swahili cuisine
• Preparing popular coastal and Swahili dishes
• Coastal cooking techniques
• Spices, ingredients, and flavour combinations
• Food hygiene
• Sanitation
• Safe food-handling practices
• Work under pressure
• Organisational skills
• Attention to detail
• Cleanliness
• Reliability
• Discipline
• Teamwork
• Positive attitude

• Proven experience working as a chef or cook, preferably in a restaurant or similar food-service establishment.
• Strong practical skills in preparing authentic coastal and Swahili cuisine.
• Demonstrable knowledge of coastal cooking techniques, spices, ingredients, and flavour combinations.
• Ability to prepare meals efficiently while maintaining consistent taste and quality.
• Good knowledge of food hygiene, sanitation, and safe food-handling practices.
• Ability to work under pressure in a busy kitchen environment.
• Strong organisational skills, attention to detail, and a commitment to cleanliness.
• Reliability, discipline, teamwork, and a positive attitude.
• Must preferably reside in Umoja or nearby estates and be able to commute reliably to the workplace.
• Relevant culinary training or certification will be an added advantage.