It is said that
there are two elements those living in Delhi pride their city on. One is the
rich, historical legacy you might expect of the capital city of India; the
other is the delectable cuisine, an assortment of sizzling street food and
sumptuous specialities drawn together from many of the northern states in the
sub-continent.
Delhi is a city that
boasts a cuisine worth writing home about; an extensive menu born from the
diverse cultures that contribute to India’s heritage. Perhaps it is fitting that
it is the culinary destination du jour this month, with five exciting food
festivals vying for attention from the foodies. These festivals bring together
a range of different cuisines with food tastings, live cooking demos and the
opportunity to get up close and personal with a wide variety of delectable
culinary offerings from a variety of cultural backgrounds.
1. North East Festival Carnival
With its winning combination of culture
and gastronomy, the North East Festival Carnival offers a range of performances,
exhibitions and traditional delicacies,showcasing the life of India’s
north-eastern tribes. Sample the specialties preferred by the different tribes
and keep your eyes peeled for the dishes prepared with the famous bhutjolokia
chilli pepper, one of the hottest chillies in the world.
2. The Grub Fest
A sophisticated and successful event
that was previously held in back in April, the Grub Fest brings together a
selection of the best restaurants in Delhi to show off their signature dishes
to the world. Expect white-tented stalls, infused with tantalising aromas and
the opportunity to pick up gourmet delicacies to take home.
3. The Asian Hawkers Market
Asian street food is famous the world
over – so, what better place for the avid foodie than a three day market
celebrating the best of street eating? The vibrant sights, sounds, smells and
tastes of an Asian street market will be in full effect here with a focus on
the best of the Far East and South East Asia as well as offerings from the
hawkers of Delhi.
4. Foodistan
Claiming the title of India’s biggest
food festival, Foodistan is the epicurean highlight of any Indian
festival-goer’s calendar. With fashion, shopping and music on offer, there are
other activities to indulge in other than those of a culinary nature. However,
with over 30 examples of culinary practice from all over India on display, from
street food to gourmet cuisine, as well as a host of colourful Indian food
markets, nobody could blame you if you were unable to tear yourself away from
the food.
5. Food for Thought
The South Asian Association of
Gastronomy can take the credit for this gem, an event which brings together the
culinary traditions of India, Pakistan, Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh and
Afghanistan in a celebration of all things food-related. Expect to star-spot
prominent cultural figures - artists, writers and media personalities are often
invited to make an appearance and share their own foodie experiences and
memories.
If the thought of an Indian food
festival has your taste-buds tingling, why not book yourself a table at one of
London’s fine Indian restaurants and enjoy all the authentic flavours of the
sub-continent, given a contemporary twist?
