Kenya and China have made a commitment to broaden their bilateral cooperation beyond trade and infrastructure, with an emphasis on culinary arts and gastronomy tourism as essential avenues for cultural exchange and mutual understanding.
Speaking during the opening of the 2025 Africa Championship of Chinese Cuisine at Kenya Utalii College, Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Guo Haiyan and Principal Secretary for Tourism John Ololtuaa underscored the importance of food in building connections between people and enhancing China-Kenya relations.
Ambassador Guo Haiyan described cuisine as “a reflection of civilization and a bridge of exchange,” noting that the increasing popularity of Chinese restaurants across Kenya serves as a symbol of cross-cultural appreciation.
“Chinese cuisine has not only become a comforting taste of home for tens of thousands of Chinese living in Kenya, but it also allows Kenyan friends to discover the rich flavours of China and feel the warmth of the East through every bite,” she stated.
She added that the journey of Chinese cuisine in Africa tells a powerful story of creativity and cultural fusion.
“From using local bovine bones to make rich noodle soup, to inventing the creative “African Spicy Chicken,” countless chefs have proven with wisdom and perseverance that the vitality of cuisine lies in both inheritance and innovation, and that the power of culture lies in both tradition and inclusiveness,” she noted.
Amb. Guo lauded Kenya Utalii College as an ideal host for the championship, acknowledging its contribution to training hospitality professionals and promoting tourism excellence in East Africa.
“Hosting this event here not only recognizes Utalii College’s professional excellence but also provides an important platform to showcase the charm of Chinese cuisine and promote skills exchange,” she said.
The envoy also highlighted that the championship is part of the 2025 China-Kenya Culture and Tourism Season, one of the outcomes of President William Ruto’s state visit to China earlier this year, during which both countries agreed to build a “China-Kenya Community with a Shared Future for the New Era.”
“This event will further strengthen cooperation between the Chinese and African catering industries, inspire more people to love Chinese cuisine and culture, and inject new vitality into building an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future,” Amb. Guo said.
Tourism PS John Ololtuaa described the event as a milestone in gastronomy tourism and a powerful platform for cultural learning and collaboration.
“This championship brings together 100 culinary artists, eight international professionals, and 20 of Kenya’s most promising chefs. It is a great opportunity to showcase Chinese gastronomy to the world,” he remarked.
He further noted that culinary collaboration aligns with Kenya’s growing tourism diversification strategy.
“This initiative perfectly reflects the growing trend of gastronomy tourism, which is driving travelers across the world. Today is all about the chefs, they are our ambassadors of culture,” Ololtuaa stated.
The PS welcomed stronger institutional partnerships between Kenya Utalii College and Chinese hospitality universities, encouraging cultural exchange through food. He said the latest collaboration is a significant step towards opening avenues for Kenya’s hospitality colleges to work closely with similar institutions in China.
“As we learn Chinese cuisine, we also hope they learn our Kenyan specialties such as Nyama Choma,” he said.
Ololtuaa also revealed that over 90,000 Chinese tourists visited Kenya last year, expressing optimism that the increasing investment by Chinese entrepreneurs in Kenya’s hospitality sector will enhance mutual interest.
The 2025 Africa Championship of Chinese Cuisine, organized by the World Federation of Chinese Catering Industry (WFCCI) and the Kenya Chinese Cuisine and Culture Association, with support from Kenya’s Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife and the Chinese Embassy, has attracted 45 teams from around the world, including Kenya, China, Australia, Senegal, South Africa, Nigeria, and the United States.
