Dining with Designer Michelle Oseko

She is the designer behind Miwi Clothing and has showcased at Swahili Fashion Week 2013, among other high profile shows. We caught up with the bubbly personality to find out what she fancies in the kitchen or while out dining. We were happy to discover that even fashion designers can be great food critics, as well as provide a few cooking tips.

What do you normally cook when you have friends over?
I make roast potatoes and marinated or grilled chicken. I’m the salad queen so there has to be a side of salad. I make my own vinaigrette, from
scratch.

Did you experience Nairobi Restaurant Week?
I usually eat out with my boyfriend, he never used to like eating out a lot until he met me, then I dragged him to all these restaurants, so he had to work hard. And yes we did Restaurant Week. We dined at Mediterraneo, Pampa Churrascaria and Phoenician.

Is there a dish you have perfected?
Potato and salad, that’s my thing. During Christmas and all holidays nobody makes them but me. Everyone will cook everything from chicken to lamb and meat, but potatoes and salad are mine. You can’t touch that.

What’s your favourite restaurant?
I love the Phoenician and Sushi Bar. They have very good Sushi. But the number one Sushi place in Nairobi is Haru (located in Karen). I
also enjoy Zen Garden’s. Mediterraneo portions are massive, I love it! Even though I don’t like how limited their wine list is.

What’s your favourite Kenyan dish?
Being a Luo you can’t miss Ugali, fish and Mrenda (traditional greens). What is it in English? You know the slimy one? I don’t know what it’s called.

Any strange dishes you would recommend that people try?
When I went for Swahili Fashion Week I had octopus in Dar es Salaam street food. They also sell octopus soup; apparently it helps in vigour
and vitality for men (laughs out loud). I tried it too and they said, give your boyfriend, it’s meant for him.

Any cooking advice you pass on from your mom?
Know who you’re cooking for. I think that’s the most important thing. What you like to cook is not what somebody else might like to cook. I
remember the first time I told my mum I wanted to cook for my boyfriend and his folks, she said, ‘Don’t make your salads and things.’ So I think the most important thing she taught me is know who you’re cooking for because people’s tastes vary. Once you know who you’re cooking for you can never go wrong.

By Anyiko Owoko