Self-taught chef and online sensation, David Muthengi, better known as Holy Dave, is basking in the glow of his latest triumph – being crowned the Pulse Food Influencer of the Year.
Holy Dave won the closely contested category by defeating 9 other nominees.
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With humility and gratitude, he expressed his appreciation for his fans and his newfound role as an inspiration to the average person.
Holy Dave emerged victorious among nine other nominees during the award ceremony held at the Nairobi Street Kitchen on Saturday, October 7.
In his acceptance speech, he dedicated his award to his fans, recognizing their unwavering support as the driving force behind his success.
While acknowledging that he may not be the most skilled chef online, Holy Dave stressed that his journey began as a means to inspire others.
"I didn’t win this because I’m the best chef online, actually I’m not even a chef. I’m just an average guy inspiring the average guy to jump in the kitchen," he humbly confessed.
Holy Dave's culinary journey started unexpectedly when he recorded and shared a meal preparation, which unexpectedly went viral in March 2020 during the lock down.
His passion for cooking was further ignited by his mother's encouragement to pursue baking. Over time, he continued to create content that resonated with his audience, both online and offline.
"Something that started as a joke the other day during the pandemic is now becoming a source of inspiration and entertainment both online and offline," Holy Dave remarked, highlighting the remarkable evolution of his culinary venture.
In addressing any sceptics who question his culinary credentials, Holy Dave remained unfazed, emphasising that his journey had just begun and that he was ready for the long haul: "And to the naysayers, we just started. This is a marathon so I hope you’re ready for the ride."
He also took the opportunity to express his gratitude to the brands that had faith in his influence and promised to continue delivering quality content: "Shout out to the #PalNation, my SQUAD, shout out to all the brands that believed in me and trusted me to influence their products. The work continues."
The Pulse Food Influencer of the Year award has previously been won by notable influencers such as Kui's Kitchen and Dennis Ombachi in 2021 and 2022.
This year's nominees, including Holy Dave, were nominated by their fans and then entered the voting phase, where they were supported and selected by their dedicated fan base.