The Kigali Serena Hotel, last Friday evening, played host to the West African Food Festival to break the monotony of East African dinners at the five-star facility. "We normally have East African dinners every Friday but we decided to have one with a difference,” said James Nzavwala, Head of Food and Beverages at the hotel. On the stage, a live band enlivened the guests with unique old tunes in a half lit room.Then came the moment everyone present had been awaiting as guests were treated to a variety of West African delicacies prepared by guest chefs from Nigeria, Ghana and Ivory Coast, and Rwanda. The starters included fish pastelles, avocado pot, and spicy groundnut bolls while the main course consisted of plantain balls, corn foufou and ablo. Among other delicacies were grilled fish brown stew, fried potato leaves, thick okra stew and ndole. The dessert comprised fruit brochettes, dègue (tiny millet balls with milk), baobab ice cubes and an assortment of cakes. Finally were beverages that included ginger, hibiscus and tomi juice. Just like fine wine that grows sweet with time; so was the West African food festival. To sum up the enlivening event was a fashion show to showcase West Africa’s fabled fashion designs. Symbols of beauty, colour, creativity and variety merged with the music blaring in the air. At the end, it was impossible not to notice the huge presence of the West African community residing in the country who definitely had a taste of home away from home. Ama, a Ghanaian lady, could not hide her joy saying, "This dinner has traced my roots back to Ghana.”