Renowned Kenyan chef and former rugby star Dennis Ombachi is set to collaborate with the French Embassy in an exciting new venture.
In a statement on Sunday, November 3, Ombachi revealed that the collaboration would include matters around food diplomacy.
According to Ombachi, the partnership will show how culinary arts can be used as a powerful tool for cultural exchange and strengthen the bond between France and Kenya.
“It will be an honour discussing matters of food diplomacy as a celebration of culinary arts, and how it can foster cultural exchange and strengthen the friendship between France and Kenya,” Ombachi stated in a response to the French Embassy.
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French Embassy Reaches Out to Ombachi
Ombachi’s journey to this collaboration began after he hosted French content creator and infamous chef Simon Auscher on his popular balcony cookout sessions.
The two made traditional Kenyan food including ugali, and traditional vegetables.
Moreover, Ombachi noted that it was his first international collaboration stating that he would be having more international exchange programs.
“Hosted French creator Simon Auscher on the balcony for a Kenyan experience and hope I represented the Kenyan flag well. Mbuzi Choma, Kunde alongside Mrenda, Chicken Kienyeji Wet-fry served with ugali ya kisiagi was on the menu and plates were cleared,” Ombachi stated.
Consequently, the success of the collaboration caught the embassy’s attention, leading them to reach out with an invitation.
The embassy sent Ombachi a direct message (DM) appreciating the initiative and the blend of French and Kenyan flavours and invited Ombachi to collaborate.
“Great job, it looks tasty French and Kenyan cuisine are good, but they are better together. Karibu ubalozini kwa kutufundisha chakula cha Kenya! (Welcome to the embassy to teach us about Kenyan food). DM us if you’re up for it,” the French Embassy stated.
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About Dennnis Ombachi
Ombachi, also known as the roaming chef, was not always a cook, having been more famous in his younger days for his athletic abilities on the rugby field.
As a rugby player for the Kenyan national rugby team, Ombachi scored against Zimbabwe qualifying Kenya for the Rio 2016 Olympics.
However, a major shift occurred when the Kenya Rugby Union terminated his contract, triggering significant mental health challenges as he struggled with the sudden loss of income.
His former captain and mentor, Humphrey Kayange, gifted him a DSLR camera. This sparked a new chapter as Ombachi began filming his cooking sessions from his balcony.
His engaging cooking videos gained immense popularity, amassing millions of social media followers and accolades, including the prestigious TikTok Award.
He was crowned as the overall winner at TikTok’s inaugural Top Creator Awards for Sub-Saharan Africa in 2023.
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. PHOTO/Dennis Ombachi and French Embassy Kenya.
