H&S Chef Of The Month: Meet Chef Edwin Mabinda

H&S Chef Of The Month

Chef Edwin Mabinda

Nationality: Kenyan

Interview With H&S Magazine

Who Is Edwin Mabinda?

I am a passionate, confident & creative sous-chef, who can skilfully plan a menu, prepare outstanding food, manage budgets & control stock & I have worked in several hotels & catering events across the country.

 

Type Of Cuisine?

I am specialized mainly in Italian cuisine (pizza & pasta), as well as, continental & African (west & east cuisine/Swahili dishes) with a little bit of experience in Chinese & Japanese cuisine.

 

What Inspired You To Become A Chef?

Cooking has always been my hobby. I enjoy trying out new recipes, & when they turn out to be delicious, that’s what makes me happy.

 

What Is The Biggest Challenge You Have Faced In The Culinary Industry?

My biggest challenge was sometime in 2016, when there was an event where we had to cater for 3,000 guests & cooked day and night, for 24 hours straight!

 

What’s Your Biggest Achievement In The Culinary Industry?

My biggest achievement in the culinary industry, when I was awarded two certificates from different hotels; the best performing chef in mass production which was awarded in 2016 & the best performing sous-chef in the production unit, which was awarded in 2022.

 

When It comes To Cooking, What Is More Important To You, The Technique, The Ingredients Or The Creativity?

It takes all of the above; using of ingredients in new ways, combining unique flavours & creativity to achieve the perfect dish.

 

Recipe Of The Week: Spicy Chicken Tikka Pizza

The Pizza Dough

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of flour
• ¼ cup of olive oil
• ½ tsp of salt
• ⅛ cup of sugar
• 4 tsp of yeast

The Spicy Chicken Tikka

Ingredients:

• 200 gm of chicken breast
• 2 tsp of any ready-made chicken tikka masala
• Olive oil for cooking

The Pizza Topping

Ingredients:

• 200 gm of spicy chicken pieces
• 1x green pepper, thinly sliced
• 1x red onion, thinly sliced
• 200 gm of mozzarella cheese (grated)
• Pizza sauce

 

Preparation: The Pizza Dough

Mix the flour, salt, sugar, oil, yeast & water in a bowl & kneed to form a nice pizza dough. Next, keep the dough covered aside for 30-60mins, until it almost doubles. Once risen, take the dough out on a lightly floured surface & roll out in a flattened, round shape.

 

Preparation: The Spicy Chicken Tikka

Cut the chicken breast into small cubes and mix with the spicy tikka masala, you can adjust the spiciness according to your preference. Cook the pieces in a non-stick pan with a little bit of oil for about 15 mins.

 

Preparation: The Pizza Topping

On the pizza dough, spread the pizza sauce first then add the toppings i.e. the spicy chicken pieces, peppers, onion & cheese & bake it in the pre-heated oven at 270–290 degrees for 15 mins, once the cheese has melted your pizza is ready to serve.