Hi, I’m Chef Phillis.
Phillis Kagundu

I create warm, memorable dining experiences with international cuisine—crafted with care, fresh ingredients, and classic technique.

I cook international flavors with heart, precision, and a personal touch.

I’m a professional chef born and raised in Central Kenya, with over 8 years of experience in the culinary world. I fell in love with food early on, inspired by how my dad and brother handled ingredients with care, and that passion led me into hospitality and professional cooking.

I trained in Food and Beverage Production, Service & Sales at Murang'a College of Technology in Kenya, and built my experience across diverse environments—from catering in an Irish nuns’ residence to serving as a private chef to the High Commissioner of Kenya in Botswana, cooking for visitors with different tastes. I’ve continued developing my skills through online Hospitality and Tourism Management courses, and I’ve been based in Dubai since February 2018.

My secret in the kitchen is good planning and organisation, as well as sourcing fresh ingredients.

What you can expect when you dine with me

Cooking is my therapy—and my joy

Cooking is therapy to me and fun, especially when I’m learning to cook new dishes and refining flavors across cuisines.

I’m trained through hands-on hospitality experience

I learned and grew through my hospitality studies at Murang'a College of Technology in Kenya, and through practical training as an intern at Mombasa Beach Hotel as well as Milimani Hotel in Nairobi.

I rely on planning, organization, and fresh ingredients

My kitchen philosophy is simple: I plan well, stay organized, and source fresh ingredients—so every course feels thoughtful and seamless.

STARTERS

Meat & Vegetable Samoosas

Mediterranean Tomato Bites (vegetarian)

Mediterranean Cucumber Cups (vegetarian)

FIRST COURSES

Pepper Pot Soup

Kibbeh

Red Lentil Soup (vegetarian)

Greek Lentil Soup (vegetarian)

Sweet Potato and Butternut Soup with Lemon and Garlic Toast (vegetarian)

MAIN COURSES

Lamb Navarin with Steamed Vegetables

Chicken Kabsa and Side Salad

Moroccan Braised Lamb Stew with Rice and Glazed Carrots

Curried Chickpeas with Quinoa and Baby Spinach (vegetarian)

DESSERTS

Pistachio Panna Cotta

Tropical Fruit Salad

Date Cake

Rice Pudding (Arroz Con Leche)

STARTERS

Oyster with Parsley and Garlic Butter

Luxury Chicken Liver Pate

White Chocolate Baba Ghannouj with Crackers (vegetarian)

Mediterranean Orzo Salad (vegetarian)

FIRST COURSES

Clear Onion Soup

Creamy Chestnut Soup (vegetarian)

Supergreen Soup with Yoghurt & Pine Nuts (vegetarian)

Curried Parsnip Soup (vegetarian)

MAIN COURSES

Grilled Lamb with Steamed Vegetables and Baked Potatoes

Grilled Sea Bass with Green Chilli Ginger Dressing and Cress Salad

Roast Leg of Lamb with Mint Sauce and Root Vegetables

Vegetable Curry with Brown Basmati Rice (vegetarian)

DESSERTS

Passion Fruit Panna Cotta

Kunafa with Cream

Dessert Cheese Board with Berries, Nuts & Fruit

Honey-Pistachio Roasted Pears

STARTERS

Crispy Goat Cheese with Tomato Basil and Pine Nuts (vegetarian)

Beetroot Nicoise Salad (vegetarian)

Parmegiano Reggiano Flan with Balsamic (vegetarian)

FIRST COURSES

Clear Onion Soup

Escargots with Garlic, Butter and Parsley

Creamy Leek and Potato Soup (vegetarian)

Mixed Vegetable Soup (vegetarian)

Pea Soup (vegetarian)

MAIN COURSES

Trout in Red wine Sauce with Mashed Potatoes and Asparagus

Duck à l’Orange

Beef Fillet with Creamed Mashed Potatoes and Green Beans

Mushroom Risotto (vegetarian)

DESSERTS

Pistachio Panna Cotta

Blueberry Clafoutis

Profiteroles with Chocolate Sauce

Lemon Tart

STARTERS

Oyster with Parsley and Garlic Butter

Luxury Chicken Liver Pate

Spinach and Parmesan Souffle (vegetarian)

Burrata Salad with Arugula and Cherry Tomatoes (vegetarian)

FIRST COURSES

French Onion Soup

Creamy Chestnut Soup (vegetarian)

Supergreen Soup with Yoghurt (vegetarian)

Roasted Tomato and Basil Soup (vegetarian)

MAIN COURSES

Gascon Style Duck Confit

Beef Wellington with Herb Roasted Potatoes and Creamed Spinach

Pan-fried Sea Bass with Basil Sauce and Cannellini Mash

Zesty Risotto with Butternut Squash (vegetarian)

DESSERTS

Pear Tarte Tatin

Dessert Cheese Board with Berries, Nuts & Fruit

Passion Fruit Flan

Chocolate Souffle

Chef Phillis Wairimu: She accepted the date very short time, due to some issue with earlier selected Chef. Event went through as planned. She is excellent person and very good chef. Very good preparation, authentic taste. This will be with my memory for life long.

— Sangeeta Mehta

Chef Phillis is a very lovely lady. She helped surprise my husband for his 30th with a romantic meal for 2. The food was yummy and portions were very generous. Overall I would recommend Chef Phillis.

— Georgina Atkinson

Great experience, very tasty dishes from a professional chef. need to have time though.. no rush.

— Amr

Chef Phillis did a fantastic job. Came early, served the food on time and best of all, the food was very delicious. Will definitely call on her again.

— Ikay Giwa-Osagie

We very much enjoyed having Chef Phillis come and cook for us at home. I was able to relax and really enjoy my guests and party in a way that I would never be able to if i had been doing the cooking. Chef Phillis was very low maintenance and just immediately got down to work once I had shown her where a few basic things were. I would recommend discussing in detail the exact makeup of the dishes - for example we had seared scallops as a starter and I had not realized that these would be cut up into a salad - and I would have preferred that the salad be separate but it was delicious. The one thing I would say is that for the price (320 per head for 2 courses) I had expected restuarant quality meat and this was definitely not the case as the lamb chops were not properly dressed and not of the quality I expected. I would not have minded if the price reflected this but the quantities were generous so you don't have to worry that your guests will go hungry. I had some extra help in the kitchen for clean up, prep etc and for 10 people that was needed to have the meal run smoothly. It was a delicious and low stress meal and I would definitely ask Chef Phillis to cook for us again. Take a Chef is a great find!

— Christine oCallaghan

Yummy cheesecake very cooperative super polite easy to work with, highly recommend. Thank you Chef

— oona Chanel

Phillis did an excellent job. My wife and I had a celebration which is why I had taken a private chef for a special dinner. The dishes were well presented and delicious. I would certainly recommend her.

— John Paul

Chef Phillis is very professional, attentive to details and extremely discreet. We hired her for dinner for 4 people for New Year's Eve. Dinner was scheduled at 8. She arrived at 3-30 to get everything ready on time. Everything went so well and smooth, Chef Phillis was kind and professional and the food was amazing! - Top quality and so fresh. I would definitely do this again.

— Federica Bertollini

Great experience and very special.

— Ramona Zielke zielke

Amazing chef! Very attentive and she prepared a super delicious meal for all four of us! I definitely recommend Chef Phillis as your chef.

— Indra Ozola

Chef Phillis did an exceptional job. I had requested a Jamaican inspired menu and Chef Phillis absolutely delivered an amazing four course menu. I highly recommend Chef Phillis and will be using her again in the near future.

— Shamila Ashiq

It was a dinner for two people. My husband and I were celebrating our wedding anniversary. We selected a Mediterranean menu. Chef Phillis prepared a 5 course meal and the food was good. Best dishes included the green soup and the chocolate soufflé. However, an area that could be improved on would be time management. Overall, a good experience.

— Natalie

Very polite, professional and dedicated.

— Marwa Hassn

Overall a great experience and we enjoyed the food. Phillis was very friendly and polite. We were a group of 8 and I think perhaps Phillis’ style is better suited to smaller parties but all in all it was good dinner.

— Céleste Macfarlane

This has been a while, but it was still a memorable experience. Our valentine's day went PERFECTLY, and Phillis did an amazing job with our food. I even ate the cheesecake a week after she made it. Very delicious, very professional and kind. Highly recommend her, and may seek her out again.

— Matthew Wright

I will definately recommend Take A Chef to all my friends and Colleagues. Chef Phillis Kagundu were amazing. Her professionalism, friendlyness, the preparation of all the dishes were amazing. She were very patient when she explained the dishes and answered all my questions. Her food were very tasty. She made a huge impression on us and we will definately use her again in the near future. Thanks Chef Phillis for making my husbands Surprise Birthday Dinner a memorable one. Regards Sophia

— Sophia Jordaan

Phyllis was great!! She was able to put together a delicious spread with less than 48 hours notice for my 35th wedding anniversary dinner. Super responsive, punctual, and polite. Everything was made from scratch, even the Japanese cheesecake which I’m still eating every morning. I would definitely work with Phyllis again!

— Michelle wong

For my wifes birthday it was a brilliant solution and worked wonderfully

— marcus

Chef Phillis Kagundu

+254115246065

[email protected]

Chef Phillis Kagundu

Hi, I’m Chef Phillis.Phillis Kagundu

I cook international flavors with heart, precision, and a personal touch.

What you can expect when you dine with me

Cooking is my therapy—and my joy

I’m trained through hands-on hospitality experience

I rely on planning, organization, and fresh ingredients

My Menus

Stories and Testimonials

Hi, I’m Chef Phillis.
Phillis Kagundu