What better way to ease into the festive season than with a formal Chaîne dinner? Trademark Hotel certainly rose to the occasion with their impeccable delivery of a fabulous evening of fine food and wine. The generosity of our wine sponsors, Solovino Kenya and Le Decanter, assured that the merry gathering of 60 members and guests truly enjoyed the event.

The evening commenced with pre-dinner canapés. The torched Kilifi oysters, crab and burrata ravioli; truffle forest mushroom pate on rye and pickled pumpkin spaghetti were accompanied by a refreshing Crémant d’Alsace.

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Corn velouté
charred avocado, vanilla bean emulsion
jalapeno, edible flowers
Villa Nova Vinho Verde 2020 - Portugal

Butter poached King prawns
mitimita spice corn avocado mango salad
saffron foam, baby arugula microgreens
Mâcon-Villages 2020
Prosper Maufoux, Burgundy

King salmon
smoked spinach patty, macadamia herb crunch
green Béarnaise, Anna potatoes, dill foam
Le Bonheur Syrah Rosé 2019
Côtes de Provence, France

Passion fruit, tree tomato and basil sorbet

Rack of lamb
pumpkin olive plantain hash
smoked mascarpone saffron ugali
Pasquiers Grenache Noir
Vin de Pays d’Oc, France

70% Ghana chocolate parfait
mandarin yuzu compote, feuilletine crunch
dulce de leche crémeux
The Johnny Hepp Single Malt Whisky Alsacien
Hepp Distillery, Uberach, Alsace, France

A feast for all senses was carefully curated and artistically plated by Executive Chef Ashish Ugal, assisted by Chef Vipin Yadav.

The synchronized service was overseen by General Manager Food and Beverage Richie Barrow, ably assisted by James Kariuki and Edwin Ndhine. The exemplary efforts of Head of Sales and Marketing Eva Mwangi (who also sits on the Chaîne Nairobi Committee) were seen in the attention to detail behind the scenes.

There were two very pleasant surprises to the evening that caused considerable delight. The first was the shot of chilled vodka at the bottom of the glass in which was served the palate-cleansing tropical tree tomato, passion fruit & basil sorbet! The second was the hand engraved champagne flutes and whisky tumblers that “les Mesdames et les Messieurs” of Chaîne were gifted with to celebrate the Christmas season.

Throughout the evening the guests were serenaded with melodious live piano and saxophone music. As the event wound down, Bailli Ashe Ahluwalia thanked the Trademark kitchen and service teams. Chef Ashish was presented with a commemorative plaque in recognition of his commendable efforts. Digestifs and dancing followed. A very merry time was had by all.

We wish all Chaîne members worldwide a very happy New Year 2023 from all of us in Nairobi.

Wangeci Gitobu
Vice-Chargée de Presse