DUKAI
My Story

Private Service

High Commission
Residence

Culinary hospitality at the highest level.

Serving as private chef within a High Commission residence was a privilege and an education.

It confirmed something I have always believed: thoughtful hospitality can create ease and connection across cultures without calling attention to itself.

People · Culture · Conversation · Good food

Paul in whites at a carving station beneath the trees in the residence garden, the table laid in white linen

A different kind of kitchen

Cooking in a home changes everything.

Within a private residence, the kitchen is part of daily life. It is personal, dynamic and built around the rhythms of the household. From family meals to formal dinners and diplomatic occasions, the approach is always the same: understanding people, respecting the environment and creating food that feels effortless, thoughtful and memorable.

Paul in an apron beside a host in a private kitchen, the mise en place laid out on the island

Daily household cooking

From morning to evening.

Nutritious, seasonal and tailored to the household's tastes and preferences. Whether a simple family breakfast, a light lunch or a relaxed dinner, the food is always generous, balanced and made with care.

The dining room at the residence, the long table laid with crystal, silver and red roses, the garden through the windows

Entertaining and diplomatic occasions

Food as a bridge.

From intimate dinners to larger receptions, the role often extended beyond the kitchen. Food became part of the conversation, a way to welcome, to celebrate and to create a sense of connection across cultures and backgrounds.

  • Beetroot carpaccio with citrus segments, micro leaves, hazelnuts and herb oil, on gold-rimmed china

    Starter

    A fresh beginning.

  • Sliced duck breast with a glazed baby carrot, purée and jus on gold-rimmed china, more plated portions waiting behind

    Main

    Balance and depth.

  • A layered dessert dusted with icing sugar and cocoa, finished with a choux pastry swan, on gold-rimmed china

    Dessert

    A sweet finish.

Great food creates a natural space for conversation, and conversation creates understanding.

My time in a High Commission residence reinforced the importance of discretion, consistency and adaptability. It also reminded me that excellent cooking is never just about the food.

It is about people, place, occasion and the details that make everyone feel at home.

Hospitality has a longer reach than the table.

Table Mountain across the bay at dusk

Private Hospitality

Different tables.
The same purpose.

I bring the same approach, experience and passion to private households and international engagements today.