The first NyamaChoma festival held on Saturday at Parisse Hotel, Nyandungu was a success. It attracted people from all walks of life, hotels, pubs and restaurants. Musician and radio personality Uncle Austin made sure that revelers were entertained as they enjoyed a variety of food and drinks until the last person left the venue after mid night.

Zachariah Mswati, one of the organizers told The New Times that the event will be held three times in a year.

"We will hold another one in August, and again in December. The reason we organised this is to explore the different ways of meat roasting in Kigali. Meat is roasted differently depending on people’s backgrounds and tastes,” he said.

Hotels and restaurants parted with Rwf 200,000 to participate. Some of the eateries that participated include Olympia, Stay Bar, Papyrus, Car Wash, Kabeza-based Kaizen and K-Club.

So how will the best be determined? "All participants have an equal amount of meat, so whoever sells the most at the end of the competition will win. The best roaster will be announced in December,” said Mswati.

Desire Nyaminani, one of the many people that turned up at the event said that it is a good innovation.

"We never get to see how the meat we eat out is prepared. This is a chance to see and maybe learn how it is done,” he observed.

"I am also happy to see different families out together to enjoy the festival,” he added.

The event started at 1:00 PM and went on till midnight.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw