In the era of digital connectivity, social media platforms have opened up abundant opportunities for talented individuals to showcase their skills and turn their passions into livelihoods. Kenya is no exception, as numerous content creators have embraced TikTok as a platform to exhibit their culinary expertise and share their love for food with a global audience.
This article delves into the realm of TikTok chefs in Kenya, spotlighting individuals who have captivated audiences with their delectable recipes and distinctive cooking styles.
Dennis Ombachi
Dennis Ombachi, a former rugby sevens star, has emerged as one of the most prominent TikTok chefs in Kenya. Recognized by his signature exclamation, “Done!” at the conclusion of each cooking video, Ombachi, also known as The Roaming Chef on social media, discovered his passion for food content following a diagnosis of bipolar disorder in 2018. His TikTok account gained immense popularity during the Covid-19 pandemic, amassing over 2 million followers.
Sueh Owino
Sueh Owino, a popular TikToker, won the hearts of online audiences with her culinary prowess. Her videos, showcasing intricate meal preparations, including a remarkable 29-hour cooking session using traditional methods, garnered widespread attention. Owino’s cooking adventures, primarily dedicated to her husband, have gone viral, even prompting calls on other social media platforms for top kitchen brands to collaborate with her.
Holy Dave
Gospel singer Holy Dave has successfully cultivated a substantial online following by showcasing his impressive culinary skills on TikTok, amassing over 100,000 followers. Holy Dave’s culinary journey began during the Covid-19 pandemic, driven by his long-standing passion for cooking. His accidental discovery of culinary talent through a viral Instagram video led to an increased online presence and recognition as the Pulse food influencer of the year.
Simple Yemi
Simple Yemi, a self-taught chef and popular Kenyan content creator, shares simplified and tasty recipes on TikTok, boasting a following of over 300,000. Inspired by fellow content creator Perimaskitchen, Yemi began his culinary journey during the Covid-19 pandemic, offering recipes ranging from homemade samosas to jollof rice and ndengu with chapati.
Chef Raphael
Chef Raphael, also known as Raphael King’ori, draws inspiration from his mother’s culinary skills and shares tips on preparing sumptuous meals at home on TikTok and YouTube. With over 260,000 subscribers on YouTube, Chef Raphael offers a diverse range of recipes, from exotic dishes like Korean rice and Kimchi to everyday favorites like omelets and roast chicken.
Sammy Maina
Sammy Maina, a former water vendor turned TikTok chef, specializes in local Kenyan cuisine, with recipes for mukimo, roasted maize, matumbo, and matoke, among others. His skills, particularly in cutting Sukuma wiki, have garnered praise from his extensive following. Maina’s simple and easy-to-follow recipes, coupled with a spotless kitchen, contribute to his popularity on TikTok.
Chef Wa Eastlando
Chef Wa Eastlando, boasting over 40,000 TikTok followers, stands out for his enigmatic persona. Not revealing his face on camera adds a layer of intrigue and uniqueness to his content. Using Sheng language as a voice-over, Chef Wa Eastlando shares recipes for pilau, biriyani, noodles, banana pancakes, and hotdogs, among others, with his biriyani recipe amassing over 500,000 views. His significant following extends to Twitter and Instagram.
