Chef Kahyeme Benjamin
Kahyeme Benjamin is not just a local celebrity chef in his own right, but also the Executive Chef and the owner of The Perfect Chef Private/Personal Chef Services established in 2009 which to date comprises of a team of ten chefs and strives to be the country leading private and personal chef provider. As a business we strive for simplicity and actively works towards using seasonal, fresh ingredients when we prepare for an event or a function. The Perfect Chef Private/Personal Chef service actively builds partnerships and source our fruits and vegetables from the local farmers. In addition the perfect chef also provides services such as Bartending, Butler/Server, and Stewarding services. We also Cater for events such as weddings, Parties, Business meetings etc . We specialize in creating memorable and exceptional dining experiences for our clients. As your private/personal chef some of our duties are:
- creating a customized meal plan base on the clients preference
- shopping for groceries (at markets, grocery stores, etc)
- shopping for specialty items (organic, gluten-free, nut-free, etc)
- putting food away and storing properly
- stocking the pantry with the client’s favorite items
- being diligent with food handling skills
- cleaning up and sanitizing after each meal
- listening and understanding client needs
- improving culinary techniques as the culinary world evolves
Kahyeme absorbed his culinary skills by watching, tasting, cooking with his mother Grealdine Benjamin and his father Bernard “ Smokey ” Benjamin. He also studied basic cookery at the Antigua and Barbuda Hospitality Training Institute (ABHTI ) when he finished school and later pursued a degree in Culinary Arts at The Art Institute of Atlanta.
After completing his Studies Mr. Benjamin returned home to Antigua and began his teaching career as a chef Instructor at the Antigua and Barbuda Hospitality Training Institute where he taught culinary arts for five years and is also a certified hospitality educator accredited from The American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute.
He is also fond of showing his skills in competitions. During studying for his culinary arts degree at the Arts Institute of Atlanta he entered the annual allouette cheese competition where he placed 2nd out of almost 100 participants. In 2012 he participated in Antigua’s Smoking Hot BBQ Challenge; again he emerged victorious with Team Soul Food being declared the overall winners of the event. They were then given the Honor of representing Antigua and Barbuda at the 5th annual Cattlemen Caribbean BBQ Competition which was held in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Team Soul Food again won big, winning a gold medal for best tasting BBQ sauce.
All in all, Mr Benjamin is extremely passionate about the Hospitality Industry and by extension Culinary Arts. His innovativeness has allowed him to accomplish so much while still a youth. He hopes to continue in his contributions to the industry and one day hopes to open his own fine dining restaurant.
