Home » Italy Travel News » Italy and Kenya Strengthen Ties through Gastronomy: Celebrating Hundred Years of Italian Cuisine in Nairobi
Published on
November 21, 2025
Italy recently launched the 10th edition of the Week of Italian Cuisine in the World, an exciting step to strengthen its cultural and economic ties with Kenya. The Nairobi National Museum hosted a culinary exhibition for the first time in Africa during the esteemed event, marking a historic milestone. Italy’s bilateral cooperation with Kenya in trade, agriculture, tourism, and education can be strengthened through the exhibition “Dining with Italy: 100 Years of Taste and Innovation”, which was curated to highlight the evolution of Italian cuisine.
This year’s event combines Kenya’s thriving agricultural industry with Italy’s rich culinary legacy, demonstrating how food can be a tool for economic development as well as a bridge between cultures. The exhibition, which runs through December 10, 2025, is expected to draw a wide range of visitors and provide a special chance to learn about the changing Italian culinary culture while fostering closer relations between the two countries.
A Culinary Showcase Like No Other: A Tribute to 100 Years of Italian Taste
At the core of this event is a curated collection of 50 rare Italian menus, tracing the fascinating history of Italy’s culinary traditions. The menus are presented as an artistic journey through a century of political, cultural, and economic transformations in Italy. Curated by the Biblioteca e Museo della Cucina Garum and Menu Associati, this exhibition represents the first of its kind in Africa. The exhibition is not just a gastronomic display but a cultural dialogue that highlights the power of food to shape national identity and innovation.
The curated exhibition brings to life how Italian cuisine has evolved, blending traditional flavours with modern innovations. It reflects the resilience and adaptability of Italian culture, which has maintained its roots while embracing contemporary trends. Through this exhibition, visitors are invited to explore Italy’s rich culinary history and its impact on global cuisine, while gaining insight into the longstanding relationship between Italy and Kenya.
The Role of Italy’s Culinary Heritage in Diplomacy and Economic Growth
The 2025 Week of Italian Cuisine in the World is not just about food; it is a testament to Italy’s efforts to strengthen its presence on the global stage, especially in Africa. Italy’s Ambassador to Kenya, Vincenzo Del Monaco, highlighted the significance of this event as part of Italy’s broader strategy to deepen its engagement with Kenya. The showcase not only celebrates Italian food but also emphasizes the role of cultural diplomacy in expanding trade and educational exchanges.
The Ambassador noted that food serves as a reflection of Italy’s cultural identity and innovation. The emphasis on high-quality agricultural products such as Italian coffee, wine, and olive oil resonates strongly with Kenya’s agricultural sector, which is one of the pillars of its economy. The exhibition also underscores Italy’s commitment to supporting local agriculture in Kenya. This includes their ongoing partnership with over 30,000 Kenyan coffee farmers under the Mattei Plan for Africa, which seeks to improve the livelihoods of Kenyan farmers through sustainable agricultural practices.
Furthermore, Italy has proposed the inclusion of its culinary heritage on UNESCO’s list of intangible cultural heritage. By advocating for the recognition of Italian cuisine as a living tradition, Italy aims to solidify its position as a global leader in culinary innovation and tradition.
Kenya’s Agricultural and Cultural Potential: Expanding Tourism Through Gastronomy
Kenya’s Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary, Rebecca Miano, also addressed the significance of the event in the context of Kenya’s tourism strategy. She noted that gastronomy has emerged as a key pillar of global tourism, and events like this serve to highlight the economic opportunities that culinary tourism can offer.
Miano emphasized that Kenya has the potential to expand its agro-tourism offerings by promoting local products such as coffee, tea, macadamia, and sisal. She pointed out that just as Italy has created iconic wine routes, Kenya too has the opportunity to create tourism experiences that celebrate the country’s agricultural heritage, landscapes, and cultural traditions. This could include developing food-based tourism experiences that tie together the rich natural resources and the vibrant creativity of Kenya’s culinary scene.
The growing synergy between Kenya’s agricultural prowess and Italy’s culinary expertise offers significant opportunities for collaboration in agritourism. By capitalizing on the global appetite for food tourism, Kenya can position itself as a destination for gastronomic experiences, showcasing its coffee culture, tea plantations, and agricultural diversity.
The Fusion of Art and Culture: Italian Sculpture Meets Kenyan Craftsmanship
In a symbolic fusion of Italian and Kenyan creativity, the exhibition also featured a unique sculptural piece titled “Arch, Bridge, Scale, Rainbow of Peace and Work”. This table, crafted by world-renowned Italian artist Tommaso Cascella, was unveiled as part of the event, marking a moment of artistic collaboration between the two nations. The sculptural table, created in Nairobi, represents the bridge being built between Italy and Kenya, celebrating both the shared values and the creative exchange between the two countries.
The piece reflects the artistic and cultural dialogue fostered by Italy’s culinary exhibition, providing an added dimension to the event that extends beyond food to include art and craftsmanship. This collaboration demonstrates how cultural diplomacy can foster deeper connections between nations, paving the way for long-term partnerships in various sectors, including tourism, trade, and education.
Sporting Diplomacy: A Shared Vision of Collaboration
Another notable aspect of the event was the presence of Olympic marathon bronze medallist Benson Kipruto, who praised the collaboration between Italy and Kenya. As a celebrated athlete, Kipruto highlighted the importance of cultural and sporting partnerships in uniting nations. This sentiment reflects the growing recognition that sports, like food and culture, play a pivotal role in enhancing international relations and cooperation.
Kipruto’s presence at the event underscored the value of fostering partnerships that go beyond traditional diplomacy, demonstrating how shared values and mutual respect can build bridges between countries. Italy’s growing influence in Kenya through initiatives like this is testament to the power of sports and culture in strengthening bilateral relations.
Future Prospects: A Long-Term Commitment to Growth and Collaboration
Looking ahead, the Italian Embassy has expressed its commitment to strengthening cultural ties and expanding trade relations between Italy and Kenya. The exhibition is part of Italy’s long-term strategy to foster deeper connections with Kenya, especially in the areas of agriculture, tourism, and education. The Italian government envisions continuing investments in initiatives that promote cultural exchange, economic collaboration, and shared growth.
As the 2025 Culinary Week continues until December, the event’s impact will be felt far beyond the exhibition hall. It serves as a starting point for ongoing collaborations in sectors such as gastronomy, tourism, and trade. With a growing number of visitors expected to explore Italy’s culinary traditions and Kenya’s agricultural offerings, this partnership is poised to thrive for years to come.
Strengthening Bonds Through Food, Art, and Diplomacy
The Week of Italian Cuisine in the World, Italy’s cultural and culinary diplomacy in Kenya, is a calculated move to advance the agricultural and tourism industries of both countries. This event demonstrates the enormous potential for cooperation between Italy and Kenya by emphasizing food as a medium of cultural exchange and economic growth.
This exhibition serves as a reminder that food is an expression of culture, identity, and history rather than merely a means of subsistence. The combination of Italy’s culinary prowess and Kenya’s exploration of new agrotourism opportunities offers a special chance to draw attention to the nation’s rich agricultural landscape and varied cultural legacy on a global scale. The relationship between Italy and Kenya is expected to deepen through joint endeavours in cuisine, art, and diplomacy, opening the door for increased cooperation and shared prosperity.
Dining and Cooking