You know how it is when you want to host people at your place. The excitement is there, yes. But then reality hits you- what’s the best food budget for 20 guests in Kenya? How much am I really going to spend on this party?
These are the questions that keep you awake at night. It doesn’t help that food prices in Kenya keep changing. One day, ugali flour is 150 bob, the next day it’s 220 bob. Basically, if you live in Nairobi, you know Nairobi food prices can be quite something else. But that doesn’t mean you can’t plan properly.
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Additionally, you don’t need to go overboard. A simple but satisfying meal is what matters. Your guests just want good food, good company, and a nice time. They are not expecting a five-star hotel experience, honestly.
So, with the right food budget for 20 guests in Kenya, you can serve everyone well. Plus, you’ll still have money left in your pocket. So, here is a great food budget to go on when you’re hosting in Kenya.
Core Menu Items
Rice
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This is one item that should never miss in your food budget for 20 guests in Kenya. It is a must-have because it’s good for everyone, including kids and the elderly. In addition, rice is filling and can stretch your meal to feed more people. Furthermore, it’s easy to cook and doesn’t require special skills.
It’s a safe choice that will satisfy your guests completely.
You can interpret rice in many ways, like pilau, vegetable rice, or even just plain rice. Additionally, you can serve white or brown rice depending on your preference. However, note that brown rice is more expensive than white rice.
Potatoes
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Potatoes build on to your menu in a big way. They are the best thing to add to your food budget for 20 guests in Kenya. You can use potatoes in the stew to give it heft and make it more filling. Additionally, you can roast, deep fry, or bake potatoes to be served on their own as a side dish.
Moreover, you can use potatoes to make mukimo alongside green bananas and greens. This is perfect for those guests who love traditional Kenyan food.
Potatoes are good for event food because they can serve people of all ages, even weaning babies. Also, they are affordable and available everywhere in Kenya. Plus, they store well and won’t go bad quickly.
Chapati
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Kenyans love chapo, period! Chapati is a core menu item that should be in every food budget for 20 guests in Kenya. It’s filling, tasty, and goes with everything. In addition, chapatis are perfect for anyone who doesn’t want rice or any other starch.
Furthermore, chapati can be a great tea snack afterwards when your guests are just relaxing and catching up.
The best part is you can buy them ready-made from your local chapo vendor. This saves you time and energy. Alternatively, you can buy flour and make them yourself if you prefer homemade ones.
Protein – Beef/Chicken
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It’s always good to have some protein with your meal, si ndio? This is where your food budget for 20 guests in Kenya gets interesting. Protein is great for stew to make it tasty and give it volume.
Additionally, you can also make soup for later by pre-boiling, for example, chicken. The soup can be served as a starter or saved for another meal.
Most Kenyans take animal protein like chicken, fish, beef, mutton, goat, pork, and others. However, it’s always better to stick to chicken or beef as it’s what most people eat. In addition, these two are affordable and easy to find in any butchery. Also, they cook faster than other meats like goat or mutton.
But if you are a vegetarian or serving vegetarian guests, then consider legumes like beans, peas, and kamande.
Vegetables
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Vegetables are a must-have in your food budget for 20 guests in Kenya. They can be served as a side salad, such as kachumbari, or cooked within the stew to add volume and flavor. Vegetables can stretch your meal to feed more people without adding much cost. Additionally, vegetables make your meal colorful and healthy for all your guests.
Core veggies for your menu should include tomatoes, carrots, cabbage (red and green), onions, courgettes, cucumber, garlic, and others. These vegetables are easily available in any market across Kenya. You can buy them fresh from your local kiosk.
Fruits
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Fruits are great as they can be a dessert item in your food budget for 20 guests in Kenya. They break the monotony of the food for something sweet and refreshing. Additionally, fruits are natural and healthy, which your guests will definitely appreciate after eating a heavy meal.
Watermelons are always a good idea for events since they are affordable and easily available. In addition, watermelons are juicy and perfect for quenching thirst. Besides watermelon, go for bananas as they are also affordable and easily available in any part of Kenya.
If not these two options, always go for what’s in season which can be pineapples, oranges, pears, and others. Seasonal fruits are cheaper and fresher than imported ones. Also, they will be readily available at your local market.
Drinks
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Finally, make sure you have drinks for your guests in your food budget for 20 guests in Kenya. Bottled or filtered water is the best option when serving water, as it ensures sanitation and will be free from pathogens. Additionally, bottled water makes things easier since you won’t need cups and washing afterwards.
For something sweet, consider a crate of soda or bottled sodas. You can buy sodas in bulk from wholesalers or your local soda depot to get better prices.
Now, if you are considering alcohol, go with what you know about your guests’ preferences. Just make sure you buy alcohol from a wholesale distributor for lower prices. Also, check supermarkets like Naivas and Carrefour for deals.
Best Food Budget For 20 Guests in Kenya
| Must Haves | ||
| Item | Quantity | Price |
| Rice | 2 kgs | KES 500 |
| Potatoes | 2 kgs | KES 400 |
| Chicken | 2 full | KES 1,000 |
| Beef | 2 kgs | KES 1,400 |
| Peas/Beans/Kamande | 1 kg | KES 250 |
| Chapati Flour | 2 kg | KES 170 |
| Onions | 10 pieces | KES 100 |
| Tomatoes | 12 pieces | KES 120 |
| Gourgettes | 3 pieces | KES 60 |
| Cucumbers | 3 pieces | KES 60 |
| Garlic | 2 bulbs | KES 40 |
| Ginger | 2 roots | KES 40 |
| Watermelon | 1 full (big) | KES 300 |
| Bananas | 10 pieces | KES 100 |
| Bottled Water | 24 pack | KES 670 |
| Soda | 1 crate (returnable) | KES 800 |
| Must Haves Total: 6,010 | ||
| Optional | ||
| Cake | 1 kg | Starting KES 2,200 |
| Milk | 5 liters | KES 400 |
| Bread | 2x 800g bags | KES 150 |
| Spreads, eg, Blueband, Jam, Peanut Butter. | 500g | KES 300 |
| Optional Items Total: KES 3,050 | ||
Note: Most of these are averages of food prices in Kenya. Therefore, you can trim your budget by buying in bulk, shopping wholesale, and taking advantage of sales. Remember, Nairobi food prices are always changing, but it can really work in your favor if you know how to shop.
Your Perfect Food Budget Made Simple
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You now have all the information you need to create a memorable meal for your guests. Additionally, even with the optional food items, you still spend less than 10k. Just know where to shop and keep an eye out for sales.
This is the best food budget for 20 guests in Kenya, so use it! But most importantly, remember that your guests just want good company. So don’t stress yourself and always stay on budget.
