Ever dreamed of tasting your way through every corner of India, one delicious dish at a time? That dream was made into reality at ‘The Great Indian Food Art’. From the fiery spices of Rajasthan to the coconut-infused delicacies of Kerala, this food fest unites flavours from every corner of the country in one delectable event and promises to take your taste buds on an unforgettable adventure.
Kozhikode,The city of people who love food, find peace and happiness serving food and welcoming people. Thus located in Kozhikode Trade Centre, the food festival ‘The Great Indian Food Art’ set a perfect space for this culinary extravaganza, inviting foodies from near and far to gather and embrace these diverse flavours of India.
The food festival is organised by Eatopya Eventures Private Limited and Greater Malabar Initiative (GMI).
“Haneefa, the managing partner of Eatopya Eventures, is the brainchild of the event. He wanted to bring every city with a food culture under one roof. We all helped him implement this idea,” said Muhammed Mansoor, one of the event directors of The Great Indian Food Art.
For this, Mr. Haneefa has travelled to all these 22 cities at least three times and tasted all the dishes. He personally contacted the local chefs of the cities and states who prepare traditional dishes and invited them here for the event.
“Here, we are trying to present a whole India in one space. This event is a joint effort by so many people who love food and culture. The chefs are also very happy to see so many people enjoying their food. We have plans to host such food festivals in various other cities in Kerala,” added Mansoor.
One of the main attractions of the food festival is its volunteers. A group of young friends from various fields like art,technology, media, teaching, etc. have come together to manage and coordinate the event.
“Initially, Shukour Bathery, one of the event directors, had contacted my friend Musthujab, the event convener of this food fest, to discuss the event, and he contacted the others. I am a volunteer coordinator here, and one of my friends, Hilal, informed me about the event. My friends are designated to different wings such as travel desk, program, volunteer coordination, health and hospitality, food, etc. here,” said Mohammed Sabith,teacher, Kannur.
From Kashmir to Kannur, the food festival features the culinary delights of 22 Indian cities. Biriyani lovers can enjoy biriyani from Kolkata, Meerut, Hyderabad, Lucknow, and yes, our own Kozhikode biriyani as well.
“The chefs from the respective cities and states have come here to prepare food for the event. By the 30th of April, we managed to bring all the chefs to Kozhikode, and by May 1st, they had started their preparations. We provided all the necessary ingredients required for every dish,” said a volunteer.
With Bunna Ghosht from Kolkata, Litti Chowka from Champaran, Masala Poori, Aloo Kudka from Haridwar, Amritsar’s Makki ki roti, Shahi paneer,Thenga Chor, and Chicken Vattichadh from Lakshadweep, Bhopal’s Nawabi Shai Pees, Kashmir’s Rogan Josh, and Jaipur’s Chicken Achaari, you could savour every flavour of India. There are counters for snacks and refreshments too.
“I received a phone call from Mr. Haneefa. He had also visited me in Kashmir. He informed me about the food festival, and I came to Kerala to prepare Kashmiri dishes for all of you,’’ said chef Shabeer Hussain, from Kashmir.
“We serve Tabak Mass, Shami Kebab, Kashmiri Kahwa with saffron, Kashmiri Pulao, and Rogan Josh. It’s a joy to share the flavours of my hometown with everyone. The people here are so loving. I haven’t tried Kerala food yet, but I will try some of them before I leave, for sure,” added the chef.
“The price of food is amazingly affordable, and the quality and quantity were mentionable. I tasted almost all five counters, mostly representing the northern side. The haleem and dahi vada were mouthwatering,“ said Jarina and her family.
“The Gulati and the Masala Sarbath have been a new experience; I never knew I would actually get another plate of sweets. The flavorful smell made choosing among the food counters really hard,” said Vineeth.
In addition to its culinary offerings, the food fest paid homage to the region’s cultural heritage with live music performances such as Qawali by Mehfile-e-Sama and other bands, traditional dance demonstrations like Kolkkali, Oppana, Margamkali, etc., and academic discussions that showcase the rich tapestry of local traditions.
Events such as cookery workshops and food photo exhibitions were also organised, where visitors could participate and be a part of them. There are special counters set up for face painting, henna, and books to entertain kids and elders.
“I came to know about the event through the NSS group at my college. I do face painting for the visitors here. Two of my friends volunteer here as well. They’re henna artists. Most of us came to know about this event through friends,” said Nishana, an economics degree student at Al-Shifa College in Malappuram.
“The whole event was more than just the explosion of taste buds; it was a wholesome cultural experience too,” said the visitors.
The core team of the event, headed by the directors Muhammed Haneefa, Shoukour Bathery, and Muhammed Mansoor, convenors Musthujab Makkolath and Zeeshan, and volunteer coordinators Sabith and Nezar, was the heart to making the event successful to celebrate many more flavorful years coming ahead.
In a world filled with hustle and bustle, this food festival reminds us to slow down, savour the moment, and celebrate the simple joys of good food and good company.
