Kitchen In The Wild: An Immersive Culinary Safari in Kenya’s Laikipia

What is Kitchen in the Wild?

Kitchen in the Wild is an exclusive culinary retreat in Kenya, where guests join world-renowned chefs for a unique blend of cooking, foraging, and feasting in the heart of Kenya's wilderness. Hosted by celebrated chef Valentine Warner, the retreat takes place at the luxurious eco-lodge El Karama, set within a private conservancy near Mount Kenya. Featuring a variety of experts in different fields including celebrated chefs Santiago Lastra, of London's KOL restaurant, and Jackson Boxer who is known for his culinary work at Orasay and Brunswick House, the experiences on offer give you a chance to explore Kenya’s wild beauty while enjoying world-class cuisine.

Kitchen In The Wild’s October 2025 events at El Karama promise an unparalleled blend of gastronomy, adventure, and sustainability. Each intimate event is limited to just 18 guests and offers a perfect fusion of safari, gourmet cuisine, outdoor adventure, and cultural discovery.

Kitchen In The Wild focuses on creating unique culinary experiences in natural, remote environments guided by celebrated experts in the industry. These events typically include outdoor cooking, foraging, and dining under the stars, all designed to connect participants with nature and local cuisines. The emphasis is on sustainability, creativity, and a sense of adventure.

Where and when are the next events?

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Kitchen In The Wild is hosting two exclusive 5-night culinary adventures at El Karama Lodge in Laikipia, Kenya, in October 2025. Each event features renowned guest chefs and a team of experts, offering a unique blend of gastronomy, craftsmanship, and exploration in a breathtaking natural setting.

Who are the guest chefs?

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10-15th October 2025 - Santiago Lastra

The first guest chef will be Mexican born Santiago Lastra, owner of KOL (voted no 17 in the World’s 50 Best Restaurant List) whose unbridled curiosity, creative flair and technical mind has led to a career of remarkable gastronomic firsts including managing the launch of the 7 week Noma pop-up in Tulum. He looks forward to bringing the flavours and techniques of his homeland to the Kenyan savannah for what promises to be an unforgettable collaboration. See trip

17-22nd October 2025 - Jackson Boxer

Prolific London chef and restaurateur Jackson has somewhat of a cult following. Opening a 10 seat counter at Brunswick House at just 23 years old, he now splits his time between Notting Hill’s Orasay, the much-grown and loved Brunswick, Cowley Manor, Jackson Boxer at The Corner and most recently, Henri in Covent Garden. A talented and instinctual cook, give him an ingredient and a myriad of tasty ideas will pour forth. His sleight of hand is just as happy near glowing embers as kitchen gadgets making him a highly adaptable chef so suited for Kenya. See trip

Who is joining the experience?

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Valentine Warner

Valentine Warner is a celebrated chef, food writer, and broadcaster with a profound connection to the natural world. Known for his expertise in wild ingredients and his passion for outdoor cooking, Valentine has spent his career inspiring audiences to explore nature through food. His ability to connect people with their surroundings through culinary artistry makes him an integral part of Kitchen in the Wild.

Jim Parkyn

Jim Parkyn is an internationally acclaimed animator and model maker, best known for his work on beloved creations like Wallace and Gromit and Shaun the Sheep. With a talent for storytelling through his craft, Jim will guide guests in creative workshops, sharing the art of animation and sculpture in a way that is both engaging and inspiring.

Anne Powys

Anne Powys is a leading botanist and author with unparalleled knowledge of East Africa’s indigenous plants. Growing up in Kenya’s Laikipia region, Anne has developed a unique expertise in the area’s flora and ecosystems. Her guided bush walks will offer guests a deep insight into the natural environment, enhancing their connection to the wild surroundings of Kitchen in the Wild.

What can guests expect?

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As well as cooking skills, guests can experience enlightening guided, bush walks with one of Kenya’s foremost botany experts, Anne Powys, who will share her deep knowledge of the Laikipian bush, learn new crafts with internationally acclaimed animator and model maker Jim Parkyn (whose
creations include Wallace and Gromit and Shaun and the Sheep), and soak up Kenya’s natural splendour with game drives, bush picnics and river fishing. As the sun slips below the savannah in a blaze of colour, guests can sip on the perfect martini created by celebrated bartender Nick Strangeway and gather around the communal table for fire-lit feasts under the breathtaking canopy of the Kenyan night sky.

Kitchen In The Wild promises to be the ultimate adventure for foodies, combining spectacular destinations with remarkable culinary and cultural experiences delivered with flair, passion and skill.

Why is El Karama Lodge the perfect venue?

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El Karama Lodge, located in the heart of Laikipia, Kenya, is more than just a beautiful setting. It’s a place deeply committed to conservation, sustainability, and community empowerment.

The lodge demonstrates a 100% commitment to conservation, with all conservation fees directly supporting the El Karama Wildlife Conservancy. This vital funding helps preserve local habitats and protect the incredible array of wildlife found in the region.

El Karama was built with a purpose: to align tourism with sustainability by prioritising habitat and wildlife goals. This ethos is reflected in every aspect of the lodge’s operations.

Empowering local communities is a core mission. The lodge invests in grassroots training for its team, creating opportunities for personal and professional growth that extend far beyond the lodge.

Passionate about food, El Karama features an organic shamba (farm) that provides fresh, seasonal produce. Additional ingredients are sourced from small, local businesses that share the lodge’s values of sustainability and quality.

Above all, El Karama Lodge embodies the transformative power of wild spaces. Every experience offered is designed to inspire, reconnect guests with nature, and leave a lasting impression of Africa’s untamed beauty.

Summary

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Kitchen in the Wild delivers far more than just exceptional cuisine—it’s an immersive journey into the wild heart of Kenya. From the breathtaking landscapes of El Karama Lodge to the expertise of world-renowned chefs, botanists, and creatives, every moment is designed to captivate and inspire. You’ll learn new skills, deepen your appreciation for nature, and savour dishes crafted from the freshest local ingredients. Whether you’re cooking over open flames or embarking on a guided bush walk, each experience merges adventure, sustainability, and unforgettable flavours. This is more than a retreat—it’s a rare opportunity to reconnect with the land, discover culinary artistry in its rawest form, and create memories that will endure long after the final feast.