Ahmadabad: Amdavad Municipal Corporation (AMC) is bringing the Internationally recognized Food for Thought Fest to the city this March, in an exclusive vegetarian avatar. Presented by AMC at the Sabarmati River Front Event Centre, the event makes its debut as a three-day annual event on the 8th, 9th & 10th of March 2024.

The festival is to set the benchmark as a unique forum for conversations, cuisines, and an exchange of ideas and a celebration of the diverse culinary heritage of the South Asian region. The event this year introduces three unique bespoke culinary experiences and continues to be packed with infotainment featuring some of the biggest celebrities and experts, discoveries of cuisines with master chefs and experiences for the entire family.

This event is being planned and supervised by S.A.A.G (South Asian Association for Gastronomy) who have been presenting Food for Thought Fest annually since 2015. Food for Thought Fest (FFTF) is the only event in South Asia to be covered thrice by the internationally acclaimed Associated Press, between 2015 and 2022. Conceptualized as a special one-of-a-kind platform that focuses both on the common heritage and history of the region, as well as the unique influences that are a part of it. The festival had the honour of being presented by the Government of Indonesia as the kickoff event to 70 years of India – Indonesia friendship at their Embassy in New Delhi in 2018. This year too, there will be international participation from countries like, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal.

The first AMC edition this year of this FOOD FESTIVAL (Food for Thought Fest) brings in the exciting components that make this a truly unique event. There will be talks and panel discussions around culture and cuisine in the “Thought Fest” with celebrity speakers, sports icons and authors. The “Food Fest” will present cookery workshops with master chefs of the region. Some of the leading personalities confirmed this year are the Netflix Star Chef Asma Khan from London, Bangladesh T.V Star Chef Nahid Osman, Internationally acclaimed author & food critic Rashmi Uday Singh, Legendary Chef Manjit Gill, Chef Suvir Saran, Celebrity Chef Amrita Raichand , Author Rohini Rana from Nepal, to name a few.

This year the Food Court presents two themes viz. “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 INR 150 to 550 only. Regional cuisines will be presented through curated street food flavours. The Bazaar section this year joins hands with Royal Fables, India’s only, authentic platform that presents the craft, culture and cuisine of Princely India to present indigenous products from the ateliers of royal families as well as hand-made brands of India. The “Fun Fest” will see live bands performing every evening.

In addition to the above, this year, three culinary pavilions, each offering a unique experience for a limited number of guests will be introduced. There will be a Royal Pavilion showcasing the cuisines of royal families in association with “Kitchen of the Kings” presented by the scions of nine royal families. A Spiritual Pavilion that will serve food offered as BHOG in revered temples from India and Nepal accompanied with soulful live performances of Raas Leela and Kirtaniyas; and a Wellness Pavilion that will serve modern Indian cuisine prepared by a Celebrity Chef, based on the three body types prescribed by Ayurveda.

The event will appeal to the mind and palate of visitors, from the eager food lovers to food connoisseurs, bloggers, students of hotel management, to professionals from the hotel and restaurant industry.

Over the three days of festival programming through sessions and workshops conducted from 12.00p.m – 6.00p.m every day, participants will have the opportunity to engage in contemporary issues with the most progressive minded panelists, learn from the greatest chefs in the region, explore fascinating topics related to food and, of course, treat their taste buds with the splendid flavours that the subcontinent has to offer. DeshGujarat