Famous Kenyan chef Bernice Kariuki has quit her job as the main chef for the Arsenal Football Club.
Ms. Kariuki announced the move on Monday, May 29, 2023, a day after the conclusion of the Arsenal’s highky successful 2022-2023 season.
“A final day flourish! Finished the season with a bang. Simply the best! Arsenal, Arsenal, Arsenal. The 2022/2023 campaign was the best special season ever I hang my gloves as a very proud chef. It has been an honour working for the best club in the world. I was truly humbled,” she said. Arsenal finished second in the league behind Manchester City.
“More blessings in my next Job. (The experience) has been like a royal dream, truly humbled. Thank you, especially my country Kenya,” she added.
Kariuki, who hails from Eastlands, joined Arsenal as a chef in 2021. Prior to getting this role, she had worked for high end restaurants including Dorchester Hotel and the Waldorf Hilton Hotel which are based in London.
Ms. Kariuki worked 14 hours a day, 90 hours a week – where her shifts started in the wee hours of the morning due to 4:00 am runs by Arsenal players.
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“We do their shakes because the players arrive on the pitch by 4:00 am and do their running. Afterward, they have their omelet and some avocado, have a chilling time and begin their sessions at 11:00 am, so the money they’re paid is worth it,” the now former Arsenal chef said in a previous interview with Alex Chamwanda’s Chams Media.
“We’re talking about 600 people in that big training ground so we have about 90 chefs. The first team has 27 chefs. It’s not just about cooking, it’s about healthy cooking. I’m a dietician so you ensure you marinate your food and cook. You also have to do their shakes, and juices from scratch.”