Three days of passion, precision, and pride best describe the recently concluded African culinary competitions held in Nairobi, Kenya.
Dubbed the Ladha Za Afrika Culinary Competition, the three-day event ran from April 13 to 16 at Boma International Hospitality College. It celebrates the richness, diversity, and pride of African cuisines while positioning the continent within an evolving global gastronomy landscape.
Now in its second edition, the competition brought together hospitality students and professional chefs from across Africa. Participants showcased modern interpretations of traditional African dishes, emphasizing locally sourced ingredients and sustainable cooking practices.
Uganda was represented by a team from the Jinja-based Hotel and Tourism Training College (HTTC), formerly known as the Uganda Hotel and Tourism Training Institute.
“We are truly grateful to Boma International Hospitality College for giving us the opportunity to be part of such a remarkable celebration of African culinary excellence. It was an honor to stand alongside some of the continent’s finest talent,” said Emmanuel Kaweesi, Dean of Academics at HTTC.
Held under the theme “Ladha Za Afrika: Promoting Africanicity in Cookery and Service,” the competition featured two categories: Culinary Art and Restaurant Service. HTTC’s Brenda Alanyo emerged third out of nine competitors in the restaurant service category.
In an interview, Alanyo attributed her success to the professional training offered by experienced instructors at HTTC.
“It was an honour to compete at a high level with the best across the continent, and emerging among the top competitors is a testament to the quality of training at the college,” she said.
The hosts commended Uganda’s participation, noting that it strengthens collaboration between BIHC and HTTC.
A total of 12 institutions from across Africa participated, seven of which were from Kenya. However, the absence of Kenya Utalii College did not go unnoticed.
Other participating countries included Nigeria, Ghana, Botswana, South Africa, and Uganda.
The competition’s chief judge, Shaun Smith of the African Chefs Alliance, pledged to attend the upcoming National Hospitality Skills Competition scheduled for September at HTTC.
HTTC launched the National Hospitality Skills Competition last year, with the second edition set for this September. The inaugural event, held in February last year, attracted eight participating institutions.
