⁠It’s show time! A cultural experience blending craft, creativity and Kenyan flavour

To know me is to know I love cocktails, so when Showtime launched at the Karen Blixen Coffee Garden, it was only natural that I found myself right in the middle of it, glass in hand and curiosity high.

I walked into the Karen Blixen Garden, and it became clear that this wasn’t just another Sunday brunch; it was an exploration of how food, fashion, mixology and Kenyan creativity can share one stage, each elevating the other.

One thing about Kenyans is that they show up and show out. The invite said sunset colours, and best believe the ambience felt like an actual sunset. From the bright pastel colours to the colours of the sun, the invites both ladies and gents left nothing to chance. For a minute there, I almost felt underdressed, but I digress. Also, Kenya has very beautiful women. I thought this was worth mentioning

The day opened with a moderated conversation meant to unpack the idea behind Showtime, not as a product, but as a cultural space. What stood out was how intentionally collaborative the platform is designed to be. As the discussion was ongoing, the cocktails were also flowing.

Alvin Mbugua, General Manager – Spirits EABL, spoke about it not as an event, but as a long-term partnership ecosystem. He described it as something “built to last,” a space where chefs, designers, creatives and hospitality partners pool their strengths to create moments that feel bigger than any single contributor.

“Remember, the only thing we are holding on to is a bottle,” he said, highlighting how the magic comes from the combined effort of several hands working together.

After the discussion, we moved into brunch, a thoughtful spread of Kenyan favourites that celebrated local culture with every bite. From Swahili flavours to familiar home-style dishes, the menu felt like a nod to who we are, served in an elevated setting.

Another thing I don’t play with is food, let’s just say I made sure I made the most out of the brunch. For the first time, I got to taste mkate wa mayai, otherwise known as Zanzibar pizza, which tastes and looks nothing like the ordinary pizza, I’m officially sold. The burst of flavours and the way everything marries so seamlessly deserve their own case study.

And then came my favourite part, the cocktails aka the star of the show. Each drink felt like its own mini-performance, crafted with intention and presented with a level of precision that makes you pause before taking that first sip.

For someone like me, this was the highlight of the afternoon: sampling different flavours, comparing notes, and watching mixologists bring their creativity to life, one shake after the other. I’m generally a gin girlie and a sweet tooth, so my favourite one had to be the Royale fizz, which was a mix of Tanqueray Royale, lemon juice, homemade blueberry purée and soda.

Sustainability also formed part of the narrative, with the team speaking about how bottles are repurposed into ornaments, a quiet reminder that creativity doesn’t end at the last pour. And in a world where brands often focus only on the finished product, it was refreshing to see attention given to what happens after the last pour.

The remainder of the evening was spent chatting and connecting with the invited guests gathered around the table.

This event, for me, was a reminder that the best moments happen when culture, craft, and community meet in one place. And if cocktails happen to be at the centre of it all… well, you already know that’s my kind of story.