So, what are you doing this weekend? Chances are, you’ll be found at a food fest, basking in the company of food and drinks. What we’ve observed over the course of almost a year is an evident increase in the number of food fests being organised in the capital city – Dil walon ki Dilli.
We’ve seen multiple associations, individuals and bloggers curating food festivals around various themes and cuisines. While on one hand, there was LBB’s Dessert Bazaar with sinful desserts in the offing, on the other hand, we had Asian Hawkers Market tapping a rare set of cuisines. And then there are Grub and Palate Fests that have been so successful that they now also have mini-editions around the year.
Photo by Mehak Dhawan
We’ve seen most of these fests from a close distance and have been to almost all of them, and we’ve to admit, it is commendable how each festival has carved a niche for itself, bringing a different flavor into focus.
What warms our hearts is also the fact that these festivals have been held throughout different parts of Delhi, from Central to the West to the NCR. Over a period of time, these fests have become more than just a number of vendors putting up stalls and serving their specialties. These fests have become a ground for the celebration of the love for food.
The recently concluded Grub Fest at JLN Stadium (entry ticket priced at Rs. 250) set new standards by making those three days from 18-20th March more than just a foodies’ paradise. With names like Nucleya, Ranveer Brar, Rakhee Vaswani, Vicky Ratnani, Ajay Chopra, Vaibhav Mahajan, Maria Goretti and Ritu Dalmia associated with it, it was a complete cultural extravaganza and the perfect weekend getaway.
Photo by Mehak Dhawan
The weekends in February this year were also replete with food events to attend. The Palate Mini-Fest at PSOI Club collided with the Asian Hawkers Market at Select City Walk. While the former was a miniature edition of the main fest and hence was a close soiree, the Asian Hawkers Market surpassed all expectations and blew the visitors away with the variety it offered.
It was a heaven for the lovers of Pan Asian and Chinjabi cuisines. Brands like Fatty Bao, Benihana, The Bento Café and Yum Yum Cha brought their best food forward and won our hearts.
One major highlight of all food fests is the LBB’s Dessert Bazaar. If you have a sweet tooth, you wouldn’t miss this for the world. Curated with panache and class, although this is slightly hard on your pocket, all the calories are worth it.
Photo by Yatin Arora
And finally we have the more desi versions of these fests that aim at promoting Street Food Entrepreneurship and cementing the identity of street food vendors. NASVI brought the different states of India to bring a potpourri of flavors alive.
And last month, the Great Indian Food Festival brought all these authentic flavors from different parts of Delhi to Dilli Haat, Pitampura. It kept the sense of India alive, even as it introduced a miscellany of other flavors.
Photo by Sonal Chanana
For one, these fests are a great way to connect. This “connect” runs on two levels. The obvious one is the bonding done over the favorite subject of food. As we accompany our foodie friends on the food trail we learn so much about food and preferences of others.
Another important aspect is networking. When we say these fests are a great way to connect, for someone working in the Food and Beverage industry, it automatically translates into an epic opportunity to network and get those crucial contacts which are otherwise so hard to find.
There’s so much to learn from other people – hacks, experiences, opinions – and fests are the perfect place to bond with fellow bloggers, food enthusiasts and experts alike.