“Not for the gram”—a statement Dennis Ombachi frequently uses while sharing his cooking recipes—might soon take on a whole new meaning as the self-made chef gears up to host Kenya’s biggest food festival.
The former rugby player-turned-chef made the announcement in a bold declaration, sharing his vision and intentions for the highly anticipated event.
“I might just single-handedly pull off the biggest food festival in the 254,” he declared.
With a motivational push to himself, he added:
“If your dreams do not scare you, they are not big enough, or whatever they say. And my festival food is free of charge. Only a few days to make history.”
Nairobi’s Growing Love for Food Festivals
Food festivals have increasingly become a popular feature in Nairobi, attracting thousands of food lovers eager to sample different cuisines.
One such event, the Nairobi Street Food Festival, held on March 8, 2025, at the ASK Showgrounds, was a resounding success. Revelers documented their experiences through vlogs, showcasing their outfits, music, dance moves, and the DJ’s electrifying entertainment. The event’s stunning setup and wide array of food stalls had attendees reaching for their phones to capture every moment. Organizers confirmed it was a sold-out event, with the next edition set for June 7, 2025.
Ombachi’s Food Festival Dream
With similar ambitions, Ombachi detailed his vision in a passionate Instagram post:
“Headlined food festivals all over the world—from down south in Zambia 🇿🇲 to the Far East in China 🇨🇳, with the most recent one in Tanzania 🇹🇿 @cocacola_kwanza @coca_cola_tanzania at the ‘Coke Food Fest.’ It was an amazing experience, and I made lots of new friends.”
“But I was saving the best for home 🇰🇪. It’s been a long time coming, and food will be free as my way of saying thank you for the support you’ve given me over the years. I will cook for 1,000+ supporters, preparing meals that will be a first-time experience for many.”
“There will be menu options that are kid-friendly, so feel free to bring along your little ones. We are in the final stages of preparation, and we will be making history in just a few days. @cocacola_kenya @ccbainkenya, it would be great if you joined us in this magic! 👊”
Ombachi concluded his post with a teaser for city residents, promising to reveal event details soon:
“DATE & LOCATION TO FOLLOW. DON’T MISS OUT!!”
by MAUREEN WARUINGE
