Cultural showcase brings Italian culinary heritage to Nairobi

Italy has kicked off the tenth edition of the Week of Italian Cuisine in the World with a grand cultural showcase in Nairobi, unveiling an elaborate exhibition that blends gastronomy, art, and history.

The event, themed “Dining with Italy: 100 Years of Taste and Innovation,” opened on Thursday at the Hall of Kenya inside the Nairobi National Museum.

It was hosted by the Ambassador-designate of Italy to Kenya, Vincenzo Del Monaco, in partnership with the Italian Institute for Culture and the Italian Trade Agency.

A first for Africa, the exhibition brings together 50 historic Italian menus curated by Biblioteca e Museo della Cucina “Garum” and Menu Associati, institutions known for documenting Italy’s culinary evolution.

The collection traces Italy’s gastronomic journey from the post-unification era through the monarchy and into the republic, capturing historic ingredients, shifts in cultural identity, and the contemporary push toward sustainability and regional uniqueness.

The event drew an influential cast of guests, including Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano, who served as Chief Guest; MP Farah Maalim representing the Speaker of the National Assembly; officials from the State Department of Correctional Services; senior leadership from the National Museums of Kenya; world-renowned Italian artist Tommaso Cascella; and Olympic marathon bronze medalist Benson Kipruto.

In her keynote address, CS Miano praised the exhibition as a symbol of enduring cooperation between Nairobi and Rome.

“Our two countries share a long-standing partnership in cultural exchange, agriculture, food innovation, sustainability, and tourism development. This exhibition is a testament to that collaboration - beautifully symbolised by Maestro Cascella’s sculptural table created alongside Kenyan artisans here in Nairobi,” said CS Miano.

She encouraged Kenya to borrow inspiration from Italy’s globally admired wine routes by elevating its own agricultural heritage through premium agro-tourism offerings.

The CS pointed to Fairview Coffee Estate, Karunguru Coffee Farm, Kiambethu Tea Farm, Gatura Greens, and the Teita Sisal Estate as strong foundations for global-standard destination experiences.

Ambassador-designate Del Monaco noted that the exhibition’s themes - innovation, biodiversity, terroir, and cultural continuity - mirror ongoing Kenya–Italy cooperation, including support to 30,000 Kenyan coffee farmers under the Mattei Plan for Africa.

He also reiterated Italy’s push to have its cuisine inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List.

The evening also featured the unveiling of Cascella’s sculptural table, “Arch, Bridge, Scale, Rainbow of Peace and Work,” crafted in Nairobi in collaboration with Kenyan artisans. The artwork will join the permanent collection of the Embassy of Italy.

The celebrations continue with a series of Italian wine tastings in Nairobi, Watamu, and Malindi, each aimed at spotlighting the country’s regional diversity and centuries-old craftsmanship.

The exhibition runs until December 10, 2025 and is expected to draw thousands of visitors eager to explore the rich cultural and gastronomic history of Italy.