Food Mood: 'Tales from the Bush Larder' with Chef Kiran Jethwa, Fox Life

Having lived in Africa for over seven years, I always have a soft spot for anything to do with the continent.  I also feel spectacularly lucky to have lived there as a kid at a much more peaceful time, because it really helped shape a lot of my ideas of the world and break a lot of the annoying stereotypes that many  people have when it comes to this beautiful blessed continent. Naturally, I was over the moon when Fox Life had invited me to sample an exclusive menu put together by Chef Kiran Jethwa from Kenya. This evening was at Shiro at UB city.


Kiran Jethwa is an Indo-British chef based in Kenya whose show ‘Tales from the Bush Larder’ premiers on Fox Life on the 29th of January. The show will be aired on Thursday and Friday at 9:30 PM. During the course of this show, Chef Kiran Jethwa would explore the fabulous cuisine of Kenya and recreate some of the local delicacies. Thanks to the media, Africa is something people either associate with Safari or Civil War, but this show should help showcase a whole different side of Africa (Kenya in the first season) as a culinary destination for foodies.

Prior to the event, we were able to spend some time with Chef Kiran Jethwa to understand how he brought the show together, his upbringing in Kenya and more. For those of you who didn’t know, he was selected to represent his country in both cricket and rugby and chose the latter. Fortunately for us, he found his calling with food. Chef Kiran Jethwa is the Masterchef and owner of the Seven restaurants in Nairobi. 

Chef Kiran Jethwa
The chef had put together a special menu consisting of Grilled Lemongrass Chicken Skewers, Chicken Gyoza, Chilli Basted Squid, Lamb Short Ribs and more. Once an introduction was done, the Chef was kind enough to cook a Smoked Lobster with Toasted Coconut, live for everyone to see. As always, ignoring my father’s many years of advice not to be the first one in line when it comes to food, I got the first piece fresh off the stove. And it was delicious.



Smoked Lobster with Toasted Coconut
Unfortunately, poor lighting denied me a lot of pictures of great food that was going around. It was a very fun, and almost nostalgic evening of great food and drink. Giving the food company was the Jameson Irish Whiskey. I eagerly look forward to the show and to rekindle my food-romance with Africa.

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