Seafood & Swahili Chef

About the role

Purpink Gifts Ltd is looking for a hands-on chef who enjoys seafood and coastal Swahili cooking. You will cook breakfast, lunch and dinner in a small, busy kitchen, from cleaning a whole crab to running a dinner service for 30 people. The position is based in Shimoni.

Key responsibilities

• Prepare and cook fresh seafood daily: whole fish, crab, prawns, octopus and lobster, including cleaning, filleting and portioning.
• Cook authentic Swahili dishes such as coconut curries, pilau, biryani, chapati, mahamri and samaki wa kupaka.
• Run breakfast, lunch, dinner and afternoon tea, plus group lunches for excursion guests.
• Cook on the open-fire grill and smoker, including grilled and smoked fish, meats and chicken.
• Keep the kitchen clean, safe and compliant with HACCP food safety standards.
• Control stock, ordering and waste, using fresh local catch wisely.
• Help develop menus and specials using local ingredients.

Required profile

• At least 3 years as a cook or chef in a hotel, resort or restaurant.
• Proven seafood experience, including handling, cleaning and cooking whole fish and shellfish.
• Experience cooking Swahili or coastal cuisine; coast hotel experience is a strong plus.
• Pastry chefs are welcome, but must also have real hot-kitchen experience cooking mains.
• Nice to have: grill or BBQ experience, buffet and event catering, menu costing, and experience leading junior kitchen staff.
• A certificate or diploma in culinary arts, food production or a related field, and a valid food handler's certificate or willingness to obtain one.
• Stable work history and good references.
• Willingness to live and work in Shimoni, including weekends and the December-January festive peak.

To apply, submit your CV and answers to the pre-screening questions through the application portal; shortlisted candidates will take a cook test.