Chinese cuisine championship bridges cultures in Kenya

The aroma of sizzling woks and fragrant spices filled the air at Kenya's Utalii College on Thursday as chefs from across the world gathered for the 2025 Africa Championship of Chinese Cuisine, a celebration of culinary artistry and cultural exchange.

Organized under the auspices of the World Federation of Chinese Catering Industry and supported by the Chinese embassy in Kenya and the Kenya Chinese Cuisine and Culture Association, the competition brought together about 40 teams, including 15 Kenyan teams, 15 from China, one each from Australia, Senegal, South Africa, and Nigeria, three from the United States, and three non-professional Kenyan teams.

Participants showcased creativity and mastery of Chinese gastronomy while exploring the shared language of flavour that unites cultures.

From dim sum to Sichuan heat and Cantonese finesse, chefs explored diverse Chinese ingredients to craft standout dishes, including inventive African-Chinese fusion flavours.

Rebecca Miano, Kenya's cabinet secretary for Tourism, hailed the event's significance in strengthening people-to-people ties between Kenya and China.

"This championship aligns perfectly with the 'China-Kenya Community with a Shared Future for the New Era' vision," Miano said.

She noted that the competition offers a platform for Kenyan chefs to learn from international masters and that it highlights the role of gastronomy in tourism promotion and economic diplomacy.