Matata Msaro's Biography

Matata Msaro, originally from Lake Victoria, moved to Arusha with his brother in 1998. He and his brother both work as mountain chefs for Duma Explorer. They came to Arusha in search of a better life and both worked at the same hotel before attending culinary school in 2007. Matata completed a nine month course at Tropical Institute in Arusha and then began working as a mountain cook.

Matata began working with Duma in July, 2009, after working for another mountain company in Arusha. He likes working for Duma because the wages are good and there is always enough food for both the crew and guests.

Some of Matata's sample menus are outlined below:

Breakfast
Assorted fruits and porridge; toast with butter and jam; bacon with Spanish omelette

Lunch
Carrot soup with rolls; vegetable salad of lettuce, avocado, tomato and cucumber; beef Stroganoff with mashed potatoes; assorted fruits

Dinner
Avocado vinaigrette; coriander soup with bread; pan-fried fish with mixed vegetables and cheese potatoes; pineapple fritter