Ali Said Mandhry: 'Nairobi women can cook', Award winning celebrity chef and artist

When did you discover your love for cooking?

I found out that I had the passion for cooking from when I was nine years. At the time my late grandfather was also passionate about cooking. We would spend time watching Chef Osama, a famous Egyptian Chef who had his own cook show on MBC television in the Middle East, who later became my mentor.

My grandfather’s curiosity to try out Chef Osama’s recipes as seen on his shows meant he would tag me along with him to the grocery shop to buy ingredients. Back home, we would experiment together. The interest and enthusiasm I showed in cooking led him to encourage me to cook along with him. Later on, after gaining confidence in the kitchen he would just let me do whatever I wanted.

So technically my grandparents were my first cooking instructors and food testers in my life, and their encouragement made me want to become a chef when I grow up. I always loved cooking for them, I still sometimes cook for my grandmother.

What was the first dish you made that had an impression on people?

A birthday cake I baked and sold when I was 12 years old.

Do you purely rely on your talent or did you nurture your cooking skills as you went on?

I attended Kenya Utalii College for my culinary education, where I learned many skills such as the French gastronomy and I graduated as the best student during my year. I even showcased a 50kg African artifact cake during the food fare at the college. Thereafter I pursued my bachelor’s degree in hospitality management.

They say you should not trust a thin chef, but you are not exactly fat. How do you keep your weight in check?

I try as much as possible to eat healthy and always exercise on a daily basis. Morning jogs are part of my routine and I hit the gym for aerobics three times a week if I am not on the road.

Speaking of routine, how does a typical day in the life of a chef look like?

After my morning payers, I go for a jog, followed by breakfast with my family and straight to my filming studio which also is my personal office. Basically I am an entrepreneur and I travel a lot as Kenya’s chef Ambassador on a mission to brand Kenya.

Family, you say?

Yes, I am married to an artist Khadija (Dija) who shares my love for cooking and art that I incorporate in my foods. We have a 10-month old daughter Alyaanah.

 Do you cook for your family?

Yes I cook for my family whenever I can.

What is your take on the notion that Kenyan women especially Nairobians only know how to boil stuff?

I have done cook shows on television with Nairobian women such as Kaz Lucas and Najma Ismail who are both amazing cooks, so I have no idea where the boiling story is coming from.

If you were to pick cooking ingredients that should be in every kitchen, what would they be?

Fresh garlic because it has so many health benefits such as regulating blood pressure and also gastritis. Honey and ginger to boost a person’s immunity and extra virgin olive oil for the most healthy skin and cholesterol free oil.

Seems you are very health conscious. Do you cook for purposes of healing?

I believe food is medicine in itself. We eat to live and healthy eating means healthy living.

What is your go-to meal when you have no time for cooking?

A quick home-made chicken sandwich and some fruit salad.

Tell us about the first award you got.

International Hall of Fame that was awarded to me in The United States of America by the sweet life in the national capital area cake show. So far I am the first African Chef to ever get that award.

Any guilty pleasures?

Cake. I am guilty as charged of having a very sweet tooth.

Where do you see yourself in the near future?

Hopefully a diplomat representing Kenya internationally.

A bit on your background.

I grew up in Mombasa town along Mzizima road Kilifi area. I am the fourth born in a family of seven. I have three sisters and three brothers.

My older brother Yahya, the first born in our family is a mechanical engineer currently working with East African Portland Cement Company, followed by my older sister Zeinab the second born who is a Psychologist, third born Muhammad a business man with a bachelor’s in Business Information Technology, my younger sister Salsabila who is a nutritionist.

My two younger siblings Jawad and Aisha are still students. My parents are both retired, my mother was a nurse and my father a building inspector in the construction and development business.

Besides being a chef, what else do you do?

I am an artist, I sketch, paint and I am a vocalist, actor and a TV/Radio host.