Finger-licking menu

They say that the road to hell is often paved with good intentions, and weddings are no exception to this adage. Under the best of circumstances, a wedding ought to be a onetime event. However, given the prevailing social dynamics of today’s society, this is proving to be more of an illusion than a truism.

Notwithstanding, an ideal wedding should be a no holds bar event with the very best of everything that is affordable to both bride and groom. Speaking of which, one of the key questions has to be whether it will be an indoor or outdoor affair.

What to look out for
Here, the important consideration has to be the number of expected guests and the season. That having been said, the Serena Kampala Hotel has to rank primus inter pares got an al fresco setting and this being a January wedding (read dry and hot) the outdoor setting at the Serena was the unanimous and preferred choice.

Indeed any parent would be as pleased as punch to see their son have a wedding but best of all, a Serena wedding. Lucky for us, January 10, was the day that our son Senteza Kironde wedded his long time friend and companion, Suzie Bazalaki, resulting in the creation of Mr and Mrs Kironde. All witnessed by a multitude from Boston and Uganda.

Service and goodies
When you are paying Shs75,000 per plate at the Serena, you are assured of incomparable service and this being a once in a lifetime affair, do not feel cheated or even think of cutting corners. Ultimately, it becomes a case of ‘you pay for what you get’ and the wedding that we attended was first class in every respect. Naturally having an Executive Chef of the calibre of Eshton Muthai in charge is a rare blessing and advantage. And with him at the helm, he and his team acquitted themselves with notable distinction.

After the soup we were invited to the buffet and what a joyous relief to be able to sample a sizeable piece of chicken as opposed to the common way of creating 20 pieces out of a chicken. The matooke was superb as was the rice, and the fish was again of reasonable and acceptable portion. All in all, while the food may not have not have been haute cuisine, by all standards it was very good, wholesome and well cooked and considering that they were catering for people from all walks of life the food served was ideal and bound to please the majority.

When considering a venue for a wedding of 400 plus, not many places in town have the capacity and ensure that you and your bride are not left with egg all over your face. For certain, at the Serena you are ensured of smelling like roses.

Amenities so plentiful
When looking at wedding venues, other than the Serena calibre whether outdoors or indoors, one has to consider amenities such as parking facilities, air conditioning, adequate toilet facilities, and accessibility both public and private, the reputation of the chosen place naturally based on past occasions that are known to have been hosted there in the past.
A wedding should never be a disappointment and for that one special day in your life, at no cost can you afford to gamble.

If you go…
Address:Serena Kampala Hotel Gardens
Rating: Not to be missed
Address: Kintu Road
The space: A huge marquee that can accommodate at least 450 guests, allow Shs 10m for this item
The crowd: A large group from Boston and many middle class Ugandans
The bar: All manner of booze
The damage: Shs75,000 per cover
Sound level: Excellent
Parking: Available and secure
If you go: Strictly by prior arrangement and invitation

The menu

On that day, the guests were treated to the menu below.

•Cream of mushroom soup
•Two salads
•Fried rice
•Potatoes Anna
•Steamed matooke
•Ground nut stew
•Fried beans
•Grilled chicken with very sizable portions
•Pan fried fish (tilapia)
•Braised beef stew
•Dessert