Chef Archie Alvin Athanasius (quite an alliteration) lives by the philosophy 'Failing to prepare is preparing to fail'.
Growing up watching his grandma cook up a storm in the kitchen, occasionally asking him to taste as she cooked, led Archie towards a career in culinary excellence.
After completing high school, Archie dove straight into his passion and joined the Mayfair Court Hotel as a Kitchen Apprentice. He trained under the tutelage of executive chef Shaun P Candon.
“I always believe that starting from the bottom gives an all round view of the kitchen and the challenges each position entails”.
He officially started his career as head chef at the Nairobi Serena Mandhari Restaurant. He later moved to Kampala Serena in Uganda in the same capacity.
Before joining Hemingways Karen as the executive chef, Archie had a stint at Boma Hotels with the same role.
Chef Archie loves to cook seafood and quite enjoys whipping up different kinds of dishes. Since I came to Hemingways, I've learnt to cook great meat dishes. The quality of meat here is super.
One major challenge that he faces is a high turnover of kitchen staff. A lot of great Kenyan cooks are being lured by the life on cruise ships and the good pay. “So after they get tired with all the donkey work aboard the ships, they came back but we are already one step ahead. They now play catch up.” says Chef Archie.
Parting shot..don't be afraid to do the hard work. There is no shortcut to being a great chef.
Tidbits about Chef Archie
He is an avid karaoke singer by night. Sings his heart out any opportunity he gets. Used to be a regular at Steak n Ale in Karen.
He also plays the guitar.
He has known his pastry chef at Hemingways longer than he has known his wife.
Together with executive chef John Macharia, was directly involved in the compiling of menus, preparation and service of food for heads of State banquets and room service for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II during the commonwealth Heads of Government meeting at the Kampala Serena Hotel.