Arsenal Chef's Emotional Tribute to Kenyan Grandmother at Burial

A collage image of Chef Bernice Kariuki at the Arsenal Training Center in London.
A collage image of Chef Bernice Kariuki at the Arsenal Training Center in London.
Bernice Kariuki

Arsenal's Kenyan-born first team chef, Bernice Kariuki, has eulogised her late grandmother as the pillar that held the family together. 

In an emotional tribute message posted on the official Instagram page on April 1 during the burial of her late grandmother, the chef credited her employment at the London-based football club to her.

Kariuki detailed that it was her grandmother who took her to the United Kingdom (UK) to pursue greener pastures.

Chef Bernice Kariuki presenting an Arsenal shirt to former Prime Minister Raila Odinga in the UK in March 2022.
Chef Bernice Kariuki presenting an Arsenal shirt to former Prime Minister Raila Odinga in the UK in March 2022.
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Bernice Kariuki

"Cucu (grandmother) made a pathway for me. I am the woman I am today as Arsenal FC Chef in the UK because of my Cucu, my grandmother, my guardian, my friend, and my inspiration who believed in me.

"Yes, Cucu is the one who took me to London for greener pastures, and what an amazing journey," read the tribute.

She further recounted how her grandmother was amazed after learning that she had been appointed the first team chef.

"The last time I paid Cucu a visit was November 27, 2021, and I will forever treasure our conversation on how proud she was when I became Arsenal Chef. Her infectious laugh demonstrated how proud she was of my rise to the top. I reminded her that she made it happen.

"I still can't believe our lovely grandmother was taken away from us. I know you are in a much better place. I will be forever grateful and thankful that you are my grandmother," the Chef wrote.

Kariuki was appointed to the Arsenal backroom staff in 2021 and prepares food for the first team players such as Bakayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, and Alexandre Lacazette.

"A girl from the ghetto Jericho living nothing but her dreams. May I reintroduce myself as Arsenal's first-team private chef," she stated at the time of her appointment.

 

The Kenyan chef has been praised for her remarkable career with Kenyan Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Manoah Esipisu, describing her story as inspiring.

"Delighted to bump into Arsenal first-team chef Bernice Kariuki at a black-tie Kenya UK Diaspora event in Windsor, Berkshire. Trailblazing and embodying the Kenyan 'can do' spirit. Congratulations," Esipisu stated.

Kariuki has hosted notable Kenyans visiting the UK. During former Prime Minister Raila Odinga's visit to the UK in March, Kariuki gifted the Azimio La Umoja presidential aspirant an Arsenal shirt.

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Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka dribbles past Tottenham midfielder Pierre-Emile Højbjerg
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