Missing your Mbuzi Choma ?

When people from Kenya go abroad, they often miss the vibrant and diverse culture of their home country. This includes the rich and flavorful Kenyan cuisine, such as ugali, nyama choma, and chapati.

Equally missed are the profound sense of community and the warmth exuded by Kenyan hospitality. The natural allure of Kenya, with its breathtaking landscapes, diverse wildlife, and a deep-rooted connection to the land, becomes a void in their experiences. Additionally, the absence of traditional celebrations and customs that are integral to Kenyan life adds to the sense of longing.

Addressing this homesickness is Kenya Kitchen, nestled in the heart of London. Conceived by Margaret Small in 2018, the idea to showcase Kenyan culinary delights originated in Margaret’s humble kitchen at home. Having honed her cooking skills under the guidance of her grandmother in Funyula, Busia county, Margaret’s culinary journey began at the tender age of six when she prepared her first meal of ugali and mrenda.

Fueled by the ambition to familiarize UK residents with Kenyan cuisine, Kenya Kitchen emerged. Margaret observed that while Kenya was renowned for its tourism and athletics, its diverse and delicious food was not as well-recognized. Determined to bridge this gap, she embarked on a mission to narrate the Kenyan story through its distinctive flavors. “I felt there was a gap in the market for Kenyan food, and there are so many cuisines. So, I opted to introduce Kenyan food to the world,” she explained.

Situated in Edgware, Margaret’s restaurant offers an array of Kenyan delights, including mbuzi choma (roasted goat meat), mushenye (sweet potato mashed with beans), mokimo kienyeji, Kenya-style pilau, traditional tilapia, ugali, sukuma wiki, and various vegetables.

The catalyst for establishing the restaurant came when Margaret’s cooking skills gained viral attention, according to her father, Kennedy Bwire, who also serves as Kenya Kitchen’s accountant. Invited to showcase her culinary talents after being noticed online, Margaret’s food resonated with people, prompting suggestions to turn her passion into a business. The restaurant has since become a gathering place for Kenyans from diverse backgrounds, hosting notable figures such as Kenya’s High Commissioner to the UK, Manoah Esipisu, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, and a delegation of Kenyan lawmakers.