Antony Mbugua is a Kenyan executive chef with experience across the hospitality industries of Qatar, the Maldives, Kuwait, Oman, the Cayman Islands, and Ethiopia.
In January 2026, he joined Ethiopian Airlines as Executive Chef, bringing 17 years of international culinary experience.
“Chef Antony Mbugua—Executive Chef with over 17 years of international culinary experience spanning luxury hotels, elite resorts, and high-volume operations across the globe,” Ethiopian Airlines states about the chef’s experience.
Education and Professional Training
Mbugua studied Hospitality Administration and Management at the Institute of Commercial Management in Bournemouth, England.
During his training, the chef underwent lessons in culinary and hospitality operations, including menu development and food preparation,
Further, the chef is trained in kitchen management, food cost analysis, inventory control, quality assurance, and food safety.
In addition to his international professional experience, Mbugua speaks four languages: English, Swahili, Arabic and French.
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An International Culinary Career
Chef Antony Kamotho Mbugua began his professional culinary career at Sheraton in Dubai before participating in the pre-opening of The St. Regis Doha in Qatar.
He later worked at PER AQUUM Hotels and Resorts in the Maldives, where he served as Demi Chef de Partie from November 2012 to January 2015.
Between January 2015 and January 2017, Mbugua was Chef de Partie at Jumeirah Hotels and Resorts in Kuwait and served as Sous Chef at Marriott Hotels in Oman and DoubleTree by Hilton in Doha between January 2019 and February 2021.
From February 2021 to February 2023, Mbugua was a Senior Sous Chef at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts in the Cayman Islands.
Before his appointment at Ethiopian Airlines, Mbugua was the Executive Chef at London Cafe from February 2023 to January 2026.
The chef also has Experience with hospitality groups including Jumeirah, Hilton, Universal, and Starwood, and previously worked at Blue Safari in Seychelles.
Mbugua’s international career also includes working for celebrity chefs Gordon Ramsay and Michael Caines.
Catering at Ethiopian Airlines
As the Executive Chef for Ethiopian Airlines Inflight Catering, Chef Antony Mbugua leads complex culinary operations and oversees key aspects of food production and service.
His responsibilities include driving menu innovation, ensuring compliance with strict food safety standards and leading large-scale catering operations.
Further, the chef specialises in global cuisine and has served VIP clients, world leaders and high-profile organisations.
“Specialising in contemporary global cuisine, I have built a distinguished career delivering exceptional dining experiences for VIP clients, world leaders, and high-profile organisations,” Antony Mbugua noted.
Additionally, the chef is involved in the culinary team training and maintaining the service standards expected within luxury hospitality.
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Antony Mbugua’s Culinary Specialisation
- Contemporary global cuisine
- French cuisine
- Arabic cuisine
- Continental cuisine
- Asian cuisine
- Afro-Latin cuisine
- Creole cuisine
Awards and Recognition
In 2019, Mbugua received a Manager of the Year certificate while working at Marriott Oman.
His current employer, Ethiopian Airlines, has also received international recognition for its in-flight catering services, including the PAX International Readership Award for Outstanding Food Service by a Carrier – Africa in 2025 and again in 2026.
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