JEDDAH — The three-day Indian Food Festival 2014 held at the Consulate General of India concluded Saturday. Consul Commercial Madan Kumar Girdayal said: “As you all know that food is an integral part of our culture so it was our attempt to bring cuisines of different parts of India under one roof. I hope you will come forward in large number to participate in our next festival.” He also announced that “on the basis of inputs received from the public and the jury we have decided that the best restaurant award goes to Mehfil restaurant.” Abdul Qader Memon, general secretary of Saudi Indian Business Network (SIBN), described the criteria of choosing the best restaurant. He said the decision was based on the kind of food offered, presentation of food, and cleanliness and hygiene of the stall. “As per my observation I have seen that Mehfil has done an excellent job in presenting different types of tikkas.” Muhammad Usama Khan, owner of Mehfil, said: “I feel delighted to receive this award, it boosts me morally.” Khan added: “We presented many traditional cuisines in the food festival and worked hard to be the best. Our specialty is that we use fresh ingredients, which makes our dishes more appetizing. This award motivates me to serve our community in the best and unique way.” Esa bin Ayaz, restaurant manager at Shadab restaurant, said: “It was a great opportunity given by the Indian Consulate in association with SIBN for us to showcase our restaurant's cuisine like biryani, haleem, margh, shahi tukda and gajar ka halwa. We almost got all the ingredients from Hyderabad to get the authentic taste of Mughlai cuisine.” At the end of the festival, Ayaz said: “I am pretty happy with the reviews. Actually just after the festival started the very next day I got calls and queries from people to know more about our restaurant. The festival has helped us and people are getting to know about it.” Eighteen Indian restaurants based here presented North Indian, South Indian, Hyderabadi and Mughlai cuisines on fare. Restaurants which participated in the festival were Mehfil, ARYAAS, Master Chef, Shadab, Daawat, Spices, Chatkara House, Muskan Kolkata Snacks Cone Zone Ice Cream, Chennai Darbar, India Gate, The Village, Royal Plaza, Metro Family Vegetarian Restaurant, Boufia Kawality Jamjoom Aziziah Pan & Tea, Minar Papad, Marconi's & Noodles, Cornetto Ice Cream and Al Habib. Bollywood singers along with local artists enthralled the audience during the festival. The vote of thanks was proposed by event organizer Mir Ghazanfar Ali Zaki. The festival was organized by the Consulate General of India in partnership with Saudi Indian Business Network (SIBN). It was inaugurated by Saud Ali Alshekhi, general manager Ministry of Culture and Information, Makkah region, along with Indian Consul General Faiz Ahmed Kidwai and other diplomats on Thursday.
