Moses Sentamu 
The calm waters of Lake Victoria are about to ripple with excitement as Uganda plays host to one of East Africa’s most anticipated gastronomic gatherings; the East African Culinary Fusion 2025.
Organised by the Uganda Professional Chefs Union, the three-day event, running from October 14th to 16th at the Lake Victoria Hotel in Entebbe, has brought together chefs, restaurateurs, food bloggers, and culinary enthusiasts from across the region under the theme: “Exploring Global East African Cuisine, Taking Ugandan Cuisine as a Steady Foundation.”
This year’s edition promises more than just food, it’s a cultural and creative odyssey designed to spotlight East Africa’s evolving culinary identity while honoring Uganda’s deep-rooted food traditions.
“This event is about celebrating Uganda’s culinary foundation while embracing the world’s flavors. It’s about showing that East African cuisine can stand tall on the global stage,” said Haruna Magala, the National Chef Coordinator of Ginero Pizza Entebbe.
The festival which opened today, October 14th with a colorful ceremony, saw top chefs from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, and beyond take to the stage to showcase their craft.
The Lake Victoria Hotel, with its stunning lakeside backdrop, is envisaged to transform into a live culinary theater—where knives flash, spices swirl, and creativity takes center stage.
Over the three days, participants will experience a range of hands-on workshops, including masterclasses on plating artistry, fusing Ugandan staples with international techniques, and creative beverage pairings.
Imagine a lesson in pairing Uganda’s smoky Arabica coffee with Caribbean-inspired desserts, or reinventing luwombo with a touch of Japanese miso.
For the more competitive chefs, the Culinary Innovation Awards will recognize exceptional talent and originality, highlighting those who dare to push the boundaries of traditional East African dishes.
But beyond the aromas and flavors, the event also seeks to build networks and strengthen collaboration within the region’s food industry.
Chefs will share their journeys, restaurant owners will connect with suppliers, and new partnerships are expected to emerge that could shape the future of East African gastronomy.
As Uganda’s housing of this year’s event signals growing recognition of its culinary potential, East African Culinary Fusion 2025 stands as a testament to the region’s creativity, resilience, and ambition to tell its story—one dish at a time.
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