We went to the Nairobi Food Festival on the 30th of November at the Jamhuri showground, and we got to sample some amazing food. Despite the cold and the rain, people showed up in massive numbers, something the organizers may not have been prepared for. That's because the queues were seemingly endless, with people still coming in when we left at around midnight. This may also have been because there was a performance set for late at night, and many people were eager to see DJ Uncle Waffles on the decks in the ASK Dome.
Music
To start with, lovers of South African music were there not just for the food, but for the concert as well. Titled "For the Love of Amapiano," the event was inside the ASK Dome, and it unfortunately descended into chaos as the night progressed. It got to the point of teargas getting lobbed into the space to disperse the restless crowd, something that the performer said she was disappointed by. The music system also acted up during the event, making the event less than ideal for the attendees and performers alike. The event organizers promised to do better in events that they organize in the future to avoid a repeat of this. On the Food Festival part, revelers got to enjoy some fire mixes by local DJs, and they had the opportunity to test out the 360 video stand next to the stage area.
Food
This is where my passion increases tenfold ... There was a lot of variety to sample, from smocha and mayai pasua to burgers and shawarma. Some people (like myself) were there for the food, and for that, I can say I was pleasantly surprised. We arrived in the afternoon at around 3 pm, and some people were already leaving. The constant traffic of people in and out of the venue at the showgrounds was evidence that there are plenty of foodies and event enthusiasts in Nairobi. TikTok sensation Boina showed up as well, and she's got lots of evidence of that on her socials. We talked to some of the vendors, including a vendor with some amazing dumplings whose dipping sauce was out of this world. We also found fish in plenty, with the suppliers of Golden Tilapia sharing that they'll soon have pre-cooked supply in the supermarkets, and I simply can't wait for that.
Drinks
There were also some amazing drinks to sample, including boba, jaba infusions, and tasty cocktails. All through the event, we got to enjoy a variety of drinks so we had no reason to be thirsty. I have to say that the lowest point for me was when I couldn't find any tea vendors, because how do I feel Kenyan without a steaming cup of chai 😢 Anyway, Tripple S saved the day with some amazing cocktails and mocktails. I had Mr. Darcy, a pink mocktail served cold and sweet to clear my taste palate and get me ready for the next round of food. Fortunately, they were well-prepared for the crowds and never ran out of stock, which happened to some of the other vendors.
AOB ...
Instagram and TikTok definitely got a lot of uploads from the event, and you can take a look at some of what went down on our socials (Geekspeak Radio) on Instagram and TikTok. Make plans to attend the next one, about which we will notify you in good time. Don't shy away if you're part of the Weird, Strange, and Catchy, just keep a lookout for other people who seem similarly lost/overwhelmed/confused/overstimulated, etc, and say hi. Alternatively, look for a confident person and ask them nicely to share their secrets with you- LIFEHACK 🙌🏾 I hope to see you then!
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