Bʏ Mᴀsɪʟᴀ Kᴀɴʏɪɴɢɪ
November 13, 2025
Many years ago, I found myself sipping coffee with Tim and Maggie Hobbs on the misty slopes of Mt. Kenya. Their farm’s name alone tickled my journalistic instincts. As our conversation meandered, Maggie leaned in and asked, “Do you enjoy nyama choma?”
Now, for any self-respecting member of my clan, failing to love nyama choma is nothing short of heresy. I declared so with the confidence of a young elder defending sacred tradition. The statement drew hearty laughter from both Tim and Maggie. Then came their sly reply, “Mbuzi tamu!” (delicious roasted goat meat). My imagination, usually quick to dance, stumbled. I laughed along, suspecting that these two had something far tastier up their sleeves.
And indeed, they did.
A stroll through their farm revealed not just flowers but fragrant revelations. When Tim asked what first attracts me to a good nyama choma, I proudly said, “My nose never fails me.” He grinned. “Then you already understand these varieties.” I soon realized that the Hobbs’ “mbuzi tamu” was not on a skewer, it bloomed from stems. These were scented garden roses, Tambuzi’s signature delicacy for the senses.
Years later, when I saw their nomination for the 2025 Dutch Flower Awards, I wasn’t surprised. How could a farm that marries aroma and artistry ever return empty-handed? Tambuzi went on to claim victory in the Foreign Suppliers category, a feat as rich as a perfectly roasted goat leg.
This year’s theme, “IMPACT – Building sustainable impact together,” might sound corporate, but Tambuzi has been living it long before hashtags made it fashionable. Their roses don’t just look good, they do good. From nurturing soil health to empowering local communities and whispering sustainability in every petal, Tambuzi proves that beauty and responsibility can bloom on the same stem.
So, to Tim, Maggie, and the entire Tambuzi team: keep roasting your craft to perfection. The world has finally caught the scent.
Go on, Tambuzi; send your delicacy and your fragrance far and wide. Kenya’s finest blend of aroma, ambition, and a dash of mbuzi tamu.