The Round Table hosts Mombasa’s favorite and home based cook who serves it cool like the sea. Let’s dine with Delish Eats & Sips.

1. Tell us in a brief about yourself and what you do?

I am June Otieno, a food content creator based in Mombasa.

2. How did your career in food start?

I’d say my ‘career’ in food started with me watching & copying my Mom’s and aunts cooking from a very young age. From there my love for food grew. And out of that love I taught myself how to cook from reading lots of cookbooks, watching many cook shows and experimenting a whole lot.

3. What are your cooking inspirations? A famous chef, a cookbook, a blog?

I draw my cooking inspirations from Gordon Ramsay & Siba. They make cooking look real easy and they’re always giving pro tips on how to go about certain foods. In regards to a cookbook or blog, I have no specific go-tos; there are so many good & different food writers out there that inspire me.

4. What is your favorite cuisine to cook?

I would say Swahili cuisine. Within it there’s Indian, Arab, Italian & Portuguese influences with makes it more exciting.

5. Which are your favorite restaurants in Kenya, and which restaurants do you seek out mostly in coast?

One of my favourites has got to be Gilanis Restaurant in Nakuru where I grew up. The other one is Blueroom Restaurant & Namaskar Indian Restaurant (Bliss Hotel) here in Mombasa. I am not big on eating out but when I do, I look out for spots that serve authentic & unique cuisines.

6. What’s the experience of being one of the best chef in Mombasa?

Oh wow, I’m flattered! I never really think of myself as that though because I’m just a home based cook. But it feels great sharing my love for food with everyone.

7. What’s the most unusual thing you’ve ever cooked?

Definitely has to be the Stinging Neetle & Potato leaves. They really taste good by the way.

8. What ingredients would you bring on a desert island with you? You can only pick 3!

I’d bring Peanut butter, Nutella & Self-raising flour.

9. Which current food trends under lockdown excite you the most?

There’s two; the Pancake Cereal & Dalgona coffee. I think those are the ones that I’m most excited about.

10. What’s your favourite recipe from your blog?

That has to be the Meatball Curry recipe I shared back in 2018.