How to Do a Wedding Food Tasting in Kenya (What to Ask, What to Taste)

A wedding food tasting is one of those planning steps that sounds purely fun but is actually really important. It is your chance to evaluate a caterer's actual food before you commit thousands of shillings and put your guests' experience in their hands.

Most couples go into tastings underprepared. They eat, they enjoy themselves, they say "yes, this is good" — and then two months later they are surprised that the pilau at the wedding tasted different, or the nyama choma was tougher, or the portions felt smaller than expected.

Here is how to approach your tasting like it actually matters.

First: Does Every Caterer Offer Tastings?

Not all of them, and the policy varies. Here is what is typical in Nairobi:

• Established wedding caterers (those doing weddings regularly, often found through venues or vendor directories) typically offer tastings as a standard part of the booking process. The tasting may be free, or it may involve a nominal charge (KSh 1,000–3,000 per person) that is credited toward your booking if you proceed.
• Restaurant caterers (catering arms of restaurants you already know) may have you taste via the restaurant menu rather than a dedicated session.
• Smaller or independent caterers sometimes skip the formal tasting, which is a yellow flag. If a caterer is unwilling to let you taste their food before a booking of 150+ guests, ask why.

Always ask for a tasting before you sign a contract. If they refuse for any event over 80 guests, look elsewhere.

Who Should Come to the Tasting

Bring 2–4 people maximum. The couple, and optionally one parent from each side — someone whose food opinion you trust and who will be honest.

Do not bring the whole extended planning committee. Too many opinions create confusion, and you are the ones paying the bill.

What to Ask the Caterer Before You Taste Anything

Before the plates come out, get these questions answered:

1. Will the tasting food be representative of what you serve at the actual wedding? This sounds obvious but ask it directly. Some caterers prepare higher-quality food for tastings than they deliver at events. Ask if the same team will cook for your wedding and if the ingredients and preparation method will match.

2. At what scale do you typically cook? A caterer who mostly does 30-person events will cook differently for 200 guests. Ask for examples of similar-sized weddings they have catered.

3. Can you accommodate a Halal-only menu / vegetarian dishes / dietary restrictions? Ask now, not after you have started negotiating the contract.

4. What is included in your catering quote? Serving staff, tables, chafing dishes, linen — or just the food itself? Understand exactly what the number covers.

5. When do you arrive to set up, and when do you break down? Caterers typically need 3–4 hours for setup. If your venue has strict access hours, this matters.

What to Actually Taste (and Evaluate)

Focus on the dishes that will actually be on your menu. Do not waste the tasting on items you are not planning to serve.

For a typical Kenyan wedding menu, request:

Proteins first. Taste the nyama choma critically. Is it well-seasoned, tender, properly cooked through? Is the mbuzi (if applicable) tender or chewy? Chicken stew — is the gravy well-developed, not watery?

The pilau. This is important. Good pilau has deep, fragrant spicing — cumin, cardamom, cloves, black pepper, balanced with the stock. Flat or underseasoned pilau at a wedding is a disappointment. Taste it hot, as it will be served.

The ugali. It should be properly set, not too soft. Taste it with the sukuma wiki alongside — the combination matters.

The chapati. Layered, well-cooked, not oily.

The sukuma wiki. Well seasoned, not overcooked to mush.

Any international or fusion dishes you are considering — pasta, salads, continental options.

The Questions to Ask as You Eat

While you taste:

• "This is [description]. Will this be the same preparation at the wedding?"
• "How do you keep things warm during service for 200 guests?"
• "What if we want to add a dish or change something on the menu after today?"
• "How do you handle late arrivals or second servings?"

What to Watch For

Inconsistency. If the chicken is excellent but the ugali is poor, ask about it. A caterer who is exceptional on one dish and weak on another will serve both dishes at your wedding. You need to know their full range.

Seasoning issues. Underseasoned food at a tasting is a warning sign. You can add salt yourself — but your caterer should not need you to.

Temperature. Food that arrives at the tasting lukewarm is a real concern for a buffet that will sit through a 1.5-hour reception service.

Presentation. How are the dishes presented? Even buffet catering should look considered and appetising.

After the Tasting: Making Your Decision

Rate each dish out of 10 before you leave the tasting. Write it down, because you will forget the exact impressions once you are driving home.

If the food is good but not perfect, be specific in your feedback: "The pilau needs more depth of spicing — can we discuss the recipe?" A professional caterer will take that seriously and either adjust or explain why they cannot.

If you are comparing multiple caterers, schedule tastings within the same week so your impressions are comparable.

Once you commit, get everything in writing: the full menu, the number of covers, the serving arrangements, the setup and breakdown times, the payment schedule, and the cancellation policy.

For help thinking through the menu itself before your tasting, the wedding menu ideas guide covers traditional, fusion, and international options. For caterer options in Nairobi with pricing, see the top wedding caterers and catering cost breakdown.

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