# A Special New Taste at Nile Safari Lodge > At Nile Safari Lodge, we believe the best experiences come from curiosity and a willingness to learn. In October, our kitchen and service teams welcomed Thai chef Patcharin Emaus for a hands-on cooking experience that brought new flavours to the banks of the Nile. Source: https://nilesafarilodge.com/journal/a-special-new-taste-at-nile-safari-lodge By Innocent Mugarura, 12 November 2026, 1 min read Our kitchen team spent three days learning Thai cooking and the art of matcha At Nile Safari Lodge, we believe the best experiences come from curiosity and a willingness to learn. In October, our kitchen and service teams welcomed Thai chef Patcharin Emaus for a hands-on cooking experience that brought new flavours to the banks of the Nile. ### Discovering Thai cuisine Under Pat’s guidance, our chefs explored the balance at the heart of Thai cooking: sweet, sour, salty and spicy, all in harmony. Together, they prepared a selection of **classic dishes:** Pad Thai: stir-fried rice noodles with tofu, bean sprouts, chives, crushed peanuts and a squeeze of lime Pineapple fried rice: fragrant rice with cashews, vegetables and fresh herbs, served in a hollowed pineapple Tom Kha: a creamy coconut soup infused with lemongrass and fresh coriander Crispy fish cake with green mango salad: topped with cashews, chilli and fresh mint More than recipes, our team learned a new way of cooking. They learned to prepare fresh ingredients, layer flavours and present each dish with care. ### The art of matcha Our team also had the privilege of being introduced to the world of matcha, the finely ground Japanese green tea. Pat showed us how to tell the quality of matcha by its colour and texture, and how to whisk it to a smooth, frothy finish with a traditional bamboo whisk. She also shared creative ways to serve it, including a layered strawberry matcha latte that quickly became a team favourite. ### A team that keeps growing Experiences like this are what make our team special. Every new skill our chefs and staff learn becomes part of the experience we share with our guests. We are grateful to Pat for her generosity, patience and passion, and to our team for their enthusiasm. ## More from the journal - [The Architectural Vision Behind One of Uganda's Most Sustainable Lodges](https://nilesafarilodge.com/journal/the-architectural-vision-behind-one-of-ugandas-most-sustainable-lodges) (Sustainability & Community 24 June 2026, 1 min read): The Van Pee sisters have built something remarkable, not by cutting corners, but by investing in quality, in people, and in the environment. Their story is a reminder that sustainable development is not a… - [Uganda's Resilience Is Its Greatest Strength](https://nilesafarilodge.com/journal/ugandas-resilience-is-its-greatest-strength) (Travel Guides 17 June 2026, 1 min read): At the start of 2026, Uganda was firmly on the radar as one of Africa's must-visit destinations. Interest from travellers was growing, itineraries were filling up, and the country was preparing to welcome… - [LIFE LATELY - Supporting Mubako Community](https://nilesafarilodge.com/journal/life-lately-supporting-mubako-community) (Sustainability & Community 13 May 2026, 1 min read): Restoring a borehole and installing litter bins in Mubako Community Access to water should be reliable. This month, we worked on repairing a borehole within the Mubako community. Restoring it means daily… [All journal articles](https://nilesafarilodge.com/journal) --- Nile Safari Lodge, Southern bank of the River Nile, Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda. Telephone Landline: +256 776 938 933. Email info@nilesafarilodge.com. Reservations: https://nilesafarilodge.com/contact