SPEZ: SPRUCING UP YOUR DINING

#VINNY’S KITCHEN

Twenty years ago; eating out in Kenya then consisted mainly of choosing between home-cooked food; and well, home-cooked food. A trip to the restaurant was a reserve privilege for the affluent or for special occasions that called for a fun day out.

Fast forward to today; and that is no longer the case. Today, imagine that you are working on important business at the office. What are your options? Dash home and rustle up something quickly? That sounds good. Go to the nearest takeaway to settle for greasy chips? That’s a little better. Tray and ward off your hunger; soldering on through the rest of the day? That is a definite no.

You certainly do not want to deprive yourself of a hearty lunch after working hard all morning. Trust me. The best solution I will tell you for free and you can Google this; is to use a reliable restaurant service that will deliver delicious; quality cuisine to your doorstep.

Nairobi’s Spez gastronomic veterans; Spencer Fondaumiere and Esmeralda De Souza; together with their friends at Eat In launched an innovative online ordering service. It allows you to view the menu; order food online and get free delivery; as easy as one, two, three.

They have created an extensive continental menu, catering especially to lunchtime orders with all the dishes infused with the signature twist of Spez.

Spez has carefully priced all of their meals and snacks under Kes 500; enabling you to indulge in your favorite dishes without breaking the band.

Log on to www.eatout.co.ke/spez

Original story by Ahmed Suleiman for Up Magazine.

By Embukane Vincent Libosso.

THE BEST PIZZA IN THIKA/ KENYA ARGUABLY

#VINNY’S KITCHEN

Pizza wars: First Blood! Today, I move from my kitchen comfy in search of the ultimate pizza in town. Only one will be left standing. What is a great pizza in essence really? No really? What’s a great pizza? Is it the freshness, or the pizza-house that makes it?

Ordering a pizza from Fire-House pizza in Thika; I almost automatically thought their pizzas wouldn’t be something to write home about. So I ordered my Hawaiian pizza; and tuk-tuk delivery was right on time.

While unwrapping it slowly; I took note of the toppings. I sunk my “double edged” sharp teeth into it. O say I was pleasantly surprised; would be an understatement. It wasn’t too bad. In fact, I never thought the best pizza I would ever have in Kenya would be from Thika town.

Don’t get it the wrong way! Fire –House Pizza is the only pizza house I know in Thika (I stand corrected).

The fact that it was evening; and with  a huge number of my pals and family over at my place visiting; I didn’t expect a fresh pizza that packed a tasty punch- at only ksh 1,000 for the KING SIZE- and I mean KING SIZE!

Fire House pizzas are cost friendly and ranges from Ksh 800 to Ksh 1000 for the King Size. And knowing that we are Kenyans; my friends Sam, Dave and Katie at Fire House have special offers during the week just for you, and also free delivery within Thika town.

Being the Kenyan I am; I received this extra pizza goodness with a huge smile. Will I be making another pizza order? Probably. Will I order delivery? I am planning to. Highly recommended- NO PUN INTENDED!

BY EMBUKANE VINCENT LIBOSSO

-Check firehouse pizza- https://www.facebook.com/FirehousePizzaKenya/info>>> Firehouse Pizza is a delivery only Pizza joint in Thika, Kenya. Right now serving Hawaiian and Supreme style pizzas. We deliver for free in Thika-Town, 7 days a week from 4pm to 10pm. To place an order, SMS 0716901294

                                

MEET THE FOODIES AT DOOF AFRICA

#Vinny’s kitchen

DOOF is all about great food, fun, adventure brought to you by Arthur and Ngacha. Two ordinary hilarious men, who definitely know how to enjoy the finer things in life. This one of a kind show is all about their love of food.

Don't miss DOOF on AFRICA MAGIC Channel 154

https://www.facebook.com/groups/DOOFAFRICA/

KIRAN JETHWA: KENYA’S FIRST CELEBRITY CHEF

VINNY’S KITCHEN

In 2013; Chef Kiran Jethwa made it as the finalist for the prestigious Taste Awards for Industry Champion Award. The chef and owner of Seven Seafood and Grill is Kenya’s first celebrity chef, with his exciting TV-show Tales from the Bush larder, a popular highlight on Zuku and recently premiering in London.

At the awards, Kiran told us how he treated the Taste judges as guinea pigs for the menu for the London launch.

“The inspiration was all based on food from the show and all the dishes had a very Kenyan edge to them. There were a number of mistakes made and I know it cost me,” Kiran explained.

It was the lessons learnt from this experience the Kiran credited to his success in London.

For restaurant reviews, more info and to make bookings, log on to: WWW.EATOUT.CO.KE

Engage chef Jethwa on Facebook-https://www.facebook.com/ChefKiranJethwa

GOOD FOOD TO YOUR DOORSTEP- A CLICK AWAY!

#vinny’s kitchen

 Having worked in Nairobi’s C.B.D; when lunchtime comes around; and you haven’t packed the lunch box with yesterday’s leftover (Thank God for warmers); the choices are more or less reduced to fairly expensive restaurant visits. Funny thing; a friend; especially a lady co-worker; will always want to tag along. That is where your gentleman strengths and capsules are put to the test.

For me and my boys; the option was a place called Grogoan; or “Grogoo” as we called it. This is an automobile repairing are outside the C.B.D; opposite the Globe Roundabout. Our visits here ensured we stacked a heaping pile of pilau and stew or chapatti with beans stew (chapoh-madondoo) from the popular Mam Ni-tilie (corner kiosk).

Well; years down the line and three of Nairobi’s gastronomic veterans Kiran Jethwa; Spencer Fondaumeiere and Esmeralda De Souza; have set out to meet that demand.

They have started the Good Food Company- a delivery only catering company that offers a varied menu with items ranging from KES 315-600.  Sadly both Esmeralda and Spencer have since left TGFC (the good food company).

If you are in the mood to try out the “Taste of the orients” from the menu; you won’t be disappointed with Thai Beef Wok with noodles. Perfectly cooked stir fried egg noodles mixed with beef in peanut oil are served with baby organic vegetables in a soy sauce fragranced with kaffir lime.

Or if you prefer the healthier choice; you can go with the broccoli sun dried tomatoes chickpea and turkey salad.

Everything is fresh and tasty; and even though the price is mid-range; the portions are big enough for a grown man to satisfy his appetite. Hail the Good Food Company.

Contacts: 020 261 9381; o787 854 325; 0705 335 443.

VINNY’S KITCHEN GOES SALADS! SALADS! SALADS!

BY EMBUKANE VINCENT LIBOSSO

TRINITYSTARFAMILY@GMAIL.COM

V

inny’s Kitchen has always been fun with a foodie side. It is a greats segment where I let you into my kitchen and give you a taste of what I am feeling; great treats and just simple recipes you can try at home. It is basically food and fun!

But I came across a foodie like me who had a great piece on the Kenya Buzz (www.kenyabuzz.com) which I would love to share today. Oh, I should call her a “saladie” (not sure whether that’s an English word) because she is “mad” about salads.

WHY SALADS?

I honestly have no proper answer to this question. Still thinking about it. I am not sure if it’s because of boredom (eating other people’s salads), or just another discovered hobby. I never knitted as a child, only learnt it in my adulthood and still knit. I might just kind t you a sweater or make you a salad.

In January 2013; my new year’s resolution was to get into chocolate rehab and eat raw salad for lunch. Just like most people; I didn’t see myself surviving, without chocolate. I mean, who quits chocolate? Very unserious people. I did start with two weeks, then I did a month; I did 40 days and at this rate; I could do a year. Bring it on! By the way; I did have withdrawal symptoms (nothing dramatic like shaking and acting crazish). I see chocolate in the supermarket and I am proud to say that I ignore the voices. Those voices used to turn me into a zombie (true story) and somehow, I would end up buying a few bars. How, I have no idea!

Focus! Back to the real story. So I started to make salads for my lunch, and I just started basic, but with leaves that my stomach and mind said ok. Lettuce, cherry tomatoes, cheese just to begin with. I have discovered that I prefer my veggies raw (not fashion). I find cooked veggies or even steamed; boring. And I mean dead boring! Like seriously- BORING! Am sure you get my drift by now.

There is something about raw veggies that I can’t explain. They give you so much energy. Sometimes I wonder if ii am on coffee. I am never tired, I feel great, and I could run across the continent and back (no I will not deliver your mail). Let us just say I feel so alive and high on vegetables.

I’m not a vegetarian, but I love my fish and my skinned chicken. I just steam them and slap a salad together and there is the meal. But I can’t ignore the benefits that come with enjoying my vegetables.

What do you like to eat your salad with?

@JAKKI ANYAZWA

SUNGURA CORNER