Ex-Arsenal Kenyan Chef Makes More History After Preparing Meal For Sir Lewis Hamilton's Ferrari F1 Team

Bernice Kariuki . Photo || Courtesy

Ex-Arsenal Kenyan Chef Makes More History After Preparing Meal For Sir Lewis Hamilton's Ferrari F1 Team

Mark Kinyanjui 15:32 - 07.07.2025

Kariuki, who previously served as a chef for Arsenal as well as Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick-Aubameyang, made more history last weekend as part of Ferarri and Sir Lewis Hamilton's culinary team.

On Sunday, July 6, celebrated Kenyan chef Bernice Kariuki made history as the first Kenyan to cook for seven-time Formula One world champion Sir Lewis Hamilton, preparing a pre-race meal for the British driver and his Ferrari F1 team ahead of the 2025 British Grand Prix at Silverstone.

Hamilton, now racing under the iconic Scuderia Ferrari banner, narrowly missed out on a podium finish, coming in fourth behind Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri, and a surprise third-place by Nico Hülkenberg.

 While the race did not end in victory for Hamilton, the day marked a personal milestone for Kariuki — a proud moment in her remarkable culinary journey.

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Born and raised in Jericho, Nairobi, Kariuki’s path to global recognition has been anything but conventional.

 Her early education followed Kenya’s 8-4-4 system, starting at Jeshi la Wokovu Nursery and later Rabai Road Primary School. After excelling in her KCPE exams, she was admitted to the prestigious Precious Blood Girls’ School.

But a clash over her school placement led to an early departure — a pivotal moment that revealed Kariuki’s determined spirit. Her father then enrolled her at Magomano Girls Secondary School in Nyandarua, where she eventually completed her high school studies.

At just 17, Kariuki made the bold move to Sweden, in search of opportunity. She enrolled in a culinary program for 18 months but found Swedish cuisine uninspiring, pivoting her interest toward pastry. Still searching for creative satisfaction, she relocated to the UK.

In the UK, Kariuki briefly studied Psychology to honor her father’s wishes. She practiced professionally for seven years, but the kitchen kept calling. 

Eventually, she decided to fully embrace her passion and enrolled at the esteemed Westminster Kingsway College in London, known for producing world-class chefs.

Since then, Kariuki has never looked back. Her impressive culinary résumé includes working as a private chef for Premier League footballers, and most notably, becoming the official chef for Arsenal Football Club’s men’s team - following a recommendation by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang , making her the first Kenyan woman to hold that role at the top level of English football.

Preparing a meal for Lewis Hamilton and the Ferrari team ahead of one of the most iconic races in the Formula One calendar is another testament to Kariuki’s rising global profile — and a proud representation of Kenyan excellence in international spaces.