Kenya’s Bernice Kariuki Quits as Arsenal Team Chef After 2 Years

Bernice Kariuki, a famed private chef, has announced her departure from Arsenal after two years with the English Premier League football side.

Kariuki has been cooking exclusively for Arsenal’s first-team players, management team, and technical bench members under the direction of the club’s executive chef.

In a social media statement announcing her departure on Sunday, she stated that the 2022/2023 season was the best season for Arsenal, and that working for the club was humbling.

“A final day flourish. Finished the season with a bang! Simply the best!!! Arsenal… Arsenal… Arsenal.. 2020/2023 the best special season ever I hang my gloves as a very proud chef it’s been a honour working for the best club in the whole world… I was truly humbled!” she wrote.

The chef also thanked Kenyans for their support, adding: “More blessings my next job it’s like dream royally truly humbled… Asanteni sana especially my country.”

“A girl from the ghetto Jericho living nothing but her dreams. May I reintroduce myself as Arsenal’s first-team private chef,” wrote Bernice on social media at the time following her appointment.

She was also in charge of the team’s daily well-being and nutrition before and after matches, as well as menus for the traveling team.

Bernice has worked as a chef for a number of upscale hotels in the United Kingdom, including The Lanesborough, The Dorchester, and The Waldorf Hilton in London.

She attended Westminster Kingsway College in London and majored in culinary arts.

Kariuki, who was born and reared in Nairobi’s Jericho Estate, joined Arsenal as the first-team private chef in mid-2021, shortly after Mikel Arteta was appointed manager.