Good food, good wine, good company - that is the hallmark of the Chaîne des Rotisseurs and the reason why 13 devoted food lovers assembled at the Radisson Blu Hotel Upper Hill Nairobi for induction as members of the Confrérie.

Bailli Délégué Shabnam Nayer, who is a Member of the Conseil Magistral, presided over the Induction Ceremony. She was supported by Gurdeep Nayer (now a Grand Officier, formerly Bailli of Mombasa) and officers of the Bailliage of Nairobi led by Bailli Ashe Ahluwalia.

During the ceremony there were two promotions, Mehul Shah was promoted to Vice-Chancelier and Nils Rothbarth to Vice-Chargé des Missions. The prestigious international Chaîne Bronze Award was also presented Vice-Chargée des Missions Kiran Ahluwalia in recognition of her exemplary service to the Bailliage.

At the celebratory reception members and their guests were served Four Pillars Bloody Shiraz cocktails and chilled glasses of Fantinel Ribolla Gialla Brut Sparkling Wine from Friuli-Venezia Giulia in Italy. A strawberry sphere, black pepper and balsamic gel amuse-bouche accompanied.

The exquisitely plated delicious seven course dinner from the kitchen of Executive Chef Wayne Walkinshaw was accompanied by a most memorable selection of premium wines. As always, the conversation and company enjoyed by all gathered brought the entire experience together.

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Beetroot
Pickled beet | orange & vanilla poached beet
olive shard | mascarpone blue cheese | sour dough
Sun Goddess Pinot Grigio/Ramato
Fruili, Italy

Marrow bone
Oxtail ragout | gruyere herb gratin | salsa verde
wild mushroom confit | bone broth | side of crusty bread
Santa Cristina ‘Fattoria Le Maestrelle’
Tuscany, Italy

Tomato jelly
Basil | smoked salt | balsamic pearls

Quail
roast leg | sous-vide breast | goat’s cheese smear
roasted grapes | red current gel | natural jus
Villa Antinori Rosso - Tuscany, Italy

Pork belly
Honey & soy glazed belly | potato puree
sticky char-grilled prawn | Chardonnay poached apple
apple puree | pork skin popcorn | Stout reduction
Prunotto Barbaresco - Piedmont, Italy
(from vineyards in Treiso and Neive in the Barbaresco
area, an elegant expression of Nebbiolo)

Brownie and chocolate crémeux
Caramel | coffee ganache | vanilla bean gelato
Macallan Harmony

As is the tradition at the conclusion of the evening, the kitchen and service staff joined the guests in the ballroom and received a standing ovation as Bailli Ashe Alhuwalia thanked them for their hard work. A word of thanks was also extended to Dan Davies of Wine Box Kenya for the glorious wine selection.

Julia Child, famously quipped, “People who love to eat are always the best people”. As members of Chaîne des Rotisseurs we couldn’t agree more!

Wangeci Gitobu
Vice-Chargée de Presse