I add spice to peoples' lives -Chef Ali

If he's not in the kitchen whipping up a mouthwatering meal, you will find CHEF ALI in a designer suit posing for a magazine. He speaks to ESTHER MUCHENE

You have been enjoying quite a bit of media attention. How is the food industry in the country doing?

Media has always been my lifestyle. I'm used to it having grown up around it and I have huge plans for my media career in the future. The food industry in the country is doing so well that I guess almost everyone these days enjoy eating out and experimenting with different recipes. I can say we are getting so adventurous with our taste buds which is a very good thing.

As a chef which is your favourite meal?

I don't have any favourites. I just love and appreciate food. I eat what I get and always thank God for the food I eat every day.

Who is the one person who can beat Chef Ali at his own game as a chef?

Of course my mum! No one can cook better than your own mother. I always say mother's food is medicine to the heart.

Whose food do you enjoy the most besides your own?

Again that will be my mum's food.

You have started blogging as well. How are Kenyans receiving it?

I wouldn't say it's blogging it is more of recipe videos on my YouTube channel. People get to learn how to prepare different kinds of meals and also they get to request me to do a recipe and I usually film them in my old town studio in Mombasa. So far people are receiving it well and I have tons of recipes to do from the requests I'm getting.

How many videos have you uploaded to your channel so far?

Around eight full recipes of 'how to' videos.

Vlogging can be a costly affair. How much does it cost on average for you to create one YouTube video?

Well I usually film with my team from the L'artiste productions and we are a team of around 4 to 5 people. For a short video we use two cameras, one sound, a director and editor plus myself as the executive producer which could cost around Sh300,000 per video on the very lower side. The budget could go up if we are filming a long and more complex video.

You're also modelling now. How did you get into it?

Well I guess the media and public life made me realize my modeling potential and the fact that I'm adventurous and I like to do fun things, I never underestimate myself. I'm a go getter that would do anything that feels right. In other words I'm a Jack of all trades. I can sing, I can dance, I can cook, I can act, I can model, the sky is the limit.

You were one of the models at New York fashion week this past February. What went through your mind as you walked down the runway?

Walking down NYFW was such an amazing experience. I felt like I truly belong to the fashion world representing my country Kenya.

How many outfits did you showcase?

I did two looks from Kenyan designer John Kaveke's collection inspired by Kericho Gold Attitude Teas in Manhattan NYC Studio 450. The two outfits were custom made for me.

Is modelling something you will consider taking seriously?

Why not? I would love to see where the wind shall take me. I shall follow the path because I enjoy doing different looks and I love high fashion photography as well thanks to my super talented director of photography Abbas Mohamed aka Abbas254.

As the Chevrolet ambassador does that mean you own a Chevy?

Yes I have two. The Chevrolet Cruze and the Unmistakable Chevrolet Trailblazer.

How do you balance between being a chef, modelling and being a brand ambassador?

Believe me I manage to balance because it's all about planning your schedule and being a good time manager. I plan myself in advance, make sure I meet all my targets and deliver for my clients. Sometimes it means sleepless nights working around the clock but at the end of the day work needs to be done. It all pays off and it's worth it.

You are a family man as well. What do you enjoy most about it?

I enjoy spending time with my family lovely wife Dija and two little princesses Alyaanah and Anaya. I also love to cook for them meals on my day off.