Ent. & Lifestyle
Uganda hosts East African culinary fusion
Among the participants is Smith Shaun, a South African celebrity chef, international judge, and culinary educationist. Shaun is also the president of the Africa Chefs Alliance and co-principal of the Fusion Cooking School in Durban, South Africa.
Some of the top chefs who have arrived in Uganda. (Credit: Ritah Mukasa)
By: Ritah Mukasa, Journalists @New Vision
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Top chefs, food handlers and practitioners from Kenya, Tanzania, Togo, Rwanda, Botswana and Ghana are in Uganda for the first-ever East African Culinary Fusion 2025. The two-day celebration of African gastronomy and culinary excellence kicks off from October 15 to 16 at the Lake Victoria Hotel in Entebbe. Gastronomy is the practice or art of choosing, cooking, and eating good food.
Among the participants is Smith Shaun, a South African celebrity chef, international judge, and culinary educationist. Shaun is also the president of the Africa Chefs Alliance and co-principal of the Fusion Cooking School in Durban, South Africa.
The event brings together chefs from different countries. (Credit: Ritah Mukasa)
Others include chef Lopez Ahligo, the president of Africa Gastronomy in Togo; chef Wilfred Siaw, Africa Gastronomy president of Ghana; and chef Obonye Monana, Africa Gastronomy president of Botswana. There is also Chef Hlatswayo, the president of the Eswatini Professional Chefs Association, and Innocent Rutayisire, Africa Chefs’ Alliance Continental Judge. Liberia is also represented.
According to Andrew Alikuluya, the president of the Uganda Professional Chefs Union (UPCU) – who are the organisers - there is a lot to see, learn and experience. “Using Ugandan cuisine, the chefs will showcase the diversity, creativity, and richness of our local dishes,” Alikuluya says. The event will feature food exhibitions and culinary competitions where chefs will demonstrate their skills while highlighting the ingredients and techniques used in our hotels and restaurants.
In addition, there will be conferences and workshops where participants will learn, share knowledge, and build skills with top chefs. Culinary professionals and food enthusiasts will also enjoy networking dinners. “We are going to showcase our different local and exotic foods, plus cooking styles,” says Haruna Magala, the UPCU coordinator. Chefs will also take students, food lovers and entrepreneurs through everything they need to know about the culinary industry.
Thereafter, the different chefs will compete in food preparation, presentation, and serving techniques. Chef Jolly Katumwine, the UPCU general secretary, says: “This is an international event that has brought African chefs together. We are warming up to promote Ugandan cuisine.”
Entrance is free to the general public.