KENNETH ONYANGO ONIALA
WATAMU
Summary
Dynamic Culinary Professional with extensive experience in high-volume kitchen management and menu development. Expertise in creating innovative dining experiences across diverse cuisines, including Mediterranean, Asian, and Italian. Proven leadership skills in team management and maintaining exceptional food quality and presentation standards.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Executive Chef
BRAVO AMANI KENDWA BEACH RESORT
08.2023 - Current
- Elevated guest satisfaction by overseeing high-quality culinary operations and presentations.
- Enhanced dining experiences by developing seasonal menus with local ingredients.
- Fostered teamwork and excellence through training and mentoring kitchen staff.
- Optimized ingredient usage by managing inventory control and minimizing waste.
- Ensured compliance with industry standards by implementing health and safety protocols.
- Boosted event attendance by collaborating on promotional culinary innovation events.
EXECUTIVE CHEF
TEMPLE POINT RESORT WATAMU
12.2017 - 07.2023
- Enhanced menu appeal by introducing innovative seasonal dishes with local ingredients.
- Optimized kitchen efficiency and reduced waste via strategic inventory management.
- Elevated team expertise through mentoring, fostering a collaborative kitchen environment.
- Boosted profitability by collaborating on budget planning and resource allocation.
- Ensured exceptional catering service quality through meticulous oversight of event services.
- Negotiated supplier contracts, achieving cost-effectiveness without compromising ingredient quality.
- Improved guest experiences by aligning kitchen operations with front-of-house services.
- Drove culinary excellence by implementing comprehensive staff training programs.
- Secured premium ingredients and supported community through local farmer partnerships.
EXECUTIVE CHEF
THE MAJLIS RESORTS LAMU MANDA ISLAND
08.2013 - 12.2017
- Increased event bookings by expanding catering services through strategic marketing efforts.
- Enhanced employee retention rates through focused coaching and performance evaluations.
- Elevated guest satisfaction ratings by delivering exceptional service in high-pressure environments.
- Maintained stringent health standards, consistently passing inspections with high marks.
- Collaborated with Executive Chefs to develop new menu items showcasing unique offerings.
EXECUTIVE CHEF
ORA RESORTS MY BLUE ZANZIBAR
03.2013 - 07.2013
- Enhanced kitchen efficiency, resulting in faster service times for customers.
- Elevated restaurant reputation by creating unique dishes that attracted new clientele.
- Reduced operational costs through effective supplier negotiations and inventory optimization.
- Accommodated dietary restrictions by modifying recipes without compromising flavor or quality.
- Ensured timely order preparation by coordinating closely with kitchen team members.
- Maintained compliance with health regulations, ensuring a safe and sanitary kitchen environment.
EXECUTIVE CHEF
EDEN VIAGGI ZANZIBAR
09.2011 - 02.2013
- Elevated restaurant appeal by designing innovative farm-to-table concept.
- Maintained menu freshness through thorough market research and culinary trend analysis.
- Enhanced dining experience with visually appealing plate presentations and creative menus.
- Maximized profitability by managing food costs and minimizing waste effectively.
- Streamlined kitchen operations through efficient inventory management and staff training programs.
- Cultivated positive team environment, encouraging collaboration and open communication among staff.
EXECUTIVE CHEF
GARODA BEACH RESORT
11.2009 - 08.2011
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by introducing innovative seasonal menu offerings.
- Orchestrated successful catering events, receiving positive feedback from high-profile clients.
- Mentored junior chefs, fostering skill development and a culture of improvement.
- Collaborated with Executive Chefs to develop unique menu items across properties.
- Coordinated employee schedules, optimizing staff productivity and efficiency.
- Maintained health and safety standards, consistently passing inspections with high marks.
EXECUTIVE CHEF
KENDWA BEACH RESORT
12.2006 - 10.2009
- Ensured optimal kitchen efficiency through regular equipment evaluations and maintenance.
- Negotiated competitive prices with vendors for ingredients and supplies.
- Streamlined food production by effectively managing kitchen staff and operations.
- Developed custom menus addressing diverse dietary needs for enhanced client satisfaction.
- Maintained high food quality standards by verifying delivery contents and product quality.
- Implemented staff training programs to improve culinary skills and teamwork.
SOUSE CHEF
WATAMU BEACH
02.2005 - 11.2006
- Enhanced food quality and presentation by supervising kitchen operations effectively.
- Elevated dining experiences by developing seasonal menus with local ingredients.
- Mentored junior staff in culinary skills and food safety protocols for excellence.
- Streamlined service flow during peak hours through collaboration with front-of-house teams.
- Reduced food waste and costs by implementing effective cost-control measures.
- Executed catering services for special events, consistently exceeding guest satisfaction expectations.
CHEF DEPUTY
WATAMU BEACH HOTEL
05.2002 - 01.2005
- Enhanced guest satisfaction through innovative menu item development.
- Ensured food safety compliance by supervising kitchen staff effectively.
- Maintained high-quality food standards through diligent kitchen operations oversight.
- Trained junior staff on essential culinary techniques and safety protocols.
- Optimized ingredient usage to minimize waste while managing inventory control.
- Collaborated with front-of-house team to elevate overall guest dining experiences.
Commis Chef
WATAMU BEACH HOTEL
10.2000 - 04.2002
- Enhanced guest dining experiences by designing and executing diverse menus.
- Mentored junior kitchen staff in culinary techniques and safety protocols effectively.
- Ensured compliance with health regulations by maintaining kitchen cleanliness and organization.
- Prepared seasonal menu dishes, presenting high-quality plates for guest satisfaction.
- Collaborated with chefs to streamline operations, improving overall kitchen workflow efficiency.
- Monitored inventory levels, optimizing stock rotation to minimize food waste.
Education
KENYA UTALLI COLLAGE
09.2000
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IMPERIAL DRIVING SCHOOL
03.1998
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KISII PROGRESSIVE HIGH SCHOOL
11.1997
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KANYAWANGA HIGH SCHOOL
01.1996
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RARUOWA KADERA PRIMARY SCHOOL
11.1993
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KANGA PRIMARY SCHOOL
11.1990
Skills
- Food safety
- Menu planning
- Cost control
- Menu development
- Strong work ethic
- Hospitality service expertise
- ServSafe certification
- Team leadership
- Hiring, training, and development
- Inventory control
- Kitchen management
- Operations management
- Kitchen staff management
- Food prep planning
- Kitchen operations oversight
- Staff training
- Food pairing
- Hygiene policy implementation
- Inventory management
- Banquets and catering
- Staff scheduling
LANGUAGES SPOKEN AND WRITTEN
ENGLISH, SWAHILI, LUO AND ITALIAN
EXTRA CURRICULUM ACTIVITIES
MAY 2004-TO 2006 WATAMU BEACH-SERVED AS A SECRETARY OF THE WORKERS WELFARE JAN 2007-TO-2009 KENDWA BEACH RESORT –SERVED AS A CHAIR MAN OF WORKERS WELFARE. JAN 1995-TO-1996 KANYAWANGA HIGH SCHOOL- SERVED AS A STUDENT DORM CAPTAIN
References
- MUMBA, GUNDI, RESIDENCE MANAGER, +254723506173, TEMPLE POINT RESORT, WATAMU, KENYA, BOX 66 WATAMU
- MAURICE, OCHIENG, FOOD AND BEVERAGE MANAGER, +254713252591, MAPANGO BEACH RESORT, KENYA, BOX 132 WATAMU
- DANIEL, OTIENO, CHIEF ACCOUNTANT TEMPLE POINT, +254707785555, RESORT WATAMU, KENYA
INTERESTS| HOBBIES
WATCHING MOVIES, READING MAGAZINE AND PLAYING VOLLYBALL
Timeline
Executive Chef
BRAVO AMANI KENDWA BEACH RESORT
08.2023 - Current
EXECUTIVE CHEF
TEMPLE POINT RESORT WATAMU
12.2017 - 07.2023
EXECUTIVE CHEF
THE MAJLIS RESORTS LAMU MANDA ISLAND
08.2013 - 12.2017
EXECUTIVE CHEF
ORA RESORTS MY BLUE ZANZIBAR
03.2013 - 07.2013
EXECUTIVE CHEF
EDEN VIAGGI ZANZIBAR
09.2011 - 02.2013
EXECUTIVE CHEF
GARODA BEACH RESORT
11.2009 - 08.2011
EXECUTIVE CHEF
KENDWA BEACH RESORT
12.2006 - 10.2009
SOUSE CHEF
WATAMU BEACH
02.2005 - 11.2006
CHEF DEPUTY
WATAMU BEACH HOTEL
05.2002 - 01.2005
Commis Chef
WATAMU BEACH HOTEL
10.2000 - 04.2002
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IMPERIAL DRIVING SCHOOL
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KISII PROGRESSIVE HIGH SCHOOL
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KANYAWANGA HIGH SCHOOL
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RARUOWA KADERA PRIMARY SCHOOL
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KANGA PRIMARY SCHOOL
KENYA UTALLI COLLAGE