Get ready for an unforgettable culinary experience! The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, in association with SAAG (South Asian Association for Gastronomy), is organizing the Food for Thought Fest, an internationally recognised food festival at the Sabarmati Riverfront.
Ahmedabad’s very first Food for Thought Fest promises an exclusive vegetarian experience that celebrates the rich culinary heritage of South Asia like never before.
Food for Thought Fest is set to delight food enthusiasts and entertainment lovers alike, serving as a unique forum for culinary conversations, cuisines, exchange of ideas and a celebration of all things food. The event is introducing three unique bespoke culinary experiences and will be packed with infotainment featuring some of the biggest celebrities and experts, discoveries of cuisines with master chefs and experiences for the entire family.
Highlights of the festival include captivating talks and panel discussions in the “Thought Fest” segment, featuring celebrity speakers, sports icons and authors. It will also feature cookery workshops with master chefs of the region.
Some of the prominent personalities participating in the fest include Netflix Star Chef Asma Khan from London, Bangladesh TV Star Chef Nahid Osman, internationally acclaimed author & food critic Rashmi Uday Singh, legendary chef Manjit Gill, chef Suvir Saran, celebrity chef Anahita Dhondy, author Rohini Rana from Nepal, Padma Shri Dr Pushpesh Pant, Supermodel Lakshmi Rana, fashion designer Nikhil Mehra, Nawab Kazim Ali Khan of Rampur and Maharani Radhika Raje Gaekwad of Baroda, among others.
The festival is equally high on the entertainment quotient, with “Pavitra Tulsi”, a dance drama choreographed by Sandip Soparrkar and a troupe staged every evening followed by live performances by artists Farhan Sabri, Priya Patel and DJ Rahul Pai. The opening ceremony will have a delightful Chhau dance performance “Phool Basant” by two renowned performing artists.
The Food Court will feature two exciting themes: A Taste of Luxury and The Regional Flavour. Luxury hotels will provide a taste of luxury and showcase their top seven dishes, served in tasting portions and priced between Rs. 150 and 550. Curated street food vendors will present regional cuisines.
The festival is also introducing three culinary pavilions, including the Royal Pavilion showcasing the cuisines of royal families in association with “Kitchen of the Kings” presented by the scions of royal families, namely Balasinore, Gondal, Dhenkanal, Limbdi, and Gwalior. A Spiritual Pavilion will serve food offered as Bhog in two revered temples,
The Jagannath temple in Puri and The Radha Raman Temple in Vrindavan. It will be accompanied by soulful live performances of Raas Leela and Kirtaniyas.
It will also feature a Wellness Pavilion serving modern Indian cuisine prepared by Celebrity Chef Gautam Mehrishi, based on the three body types prescribed by Ayurveda.
At the unique Coffee Pavilion, visitors will be able to experience the journey of coffee, from seeing a living coffee plant to the harvested green coffee beans, and the process of roasting to finally tasting freshly brewed coffee.
On all three days, various sessions and workshops will be conducted from 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm, allowing participants to engage in contemporary issues with panellists, learn from the region’s greatest chefs, explore fascinating topics related to food, and treat their taste buds with the varied flavours of the subcontinent. It will also have international participation from countries like Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal.
Food for Thought Fest 2024 promises to be an enriching celebration of the mind and spirit while strengthening the sense of a joyous community.
The Food for Thought Fest will take place at Sabarmati Riverfront from March 8 to 10.