MKP holds 6th Ethnic Food Festival

Maurya Kala Parisar (MKP) Kuwait hosted their much-awaited Sixth Ethnic Food festival on 19 April at Indian Community School, Junior Branch in Salmiya.

The culinary competitions saw huge participation with over 100 home-made dishes in different categories being presented for evaluation by the judges, who were professional chefs working in famous restaurants in Kuwait.

As part of the festivities, there were a variety of offerings of authentic and ethnic foods as well as a fusion from across global cuisines at the stalls. Delicious traditional foods with nostalgic flavors of Jharkhand and Bihar were the highlights in the Ethnic Category.  In addition, many stalls sold exclusive clothing, shoes, jewelry, gift items, and decorative items among others.

Many children flocked to the games stalls while participants were entertained with games. Devesh and Sonali entertained the visitors and kept the mood festive with fun games and on the spot quizzes. They gave away lots of prizes and gifts.

Another highlight of the event was a magic show by the famous Indian magician in Kuwait, Prashun Haldar.

The ‘Ethnic from Jharkhand & Bihar’ category had submissions of many traditional dishes of the region that were on display along with some dishes which were a variation or mix of traditional dishes.

The following were declared winners in the respective categories:

Ethnic from Jharkhand and Bihar- Winner : Saroj Prakash [Litti Chokha]; 1^st Runners-up: Shama Anjum [Maal Pua with Benami Kheer] and 2^nd Runners-up: Pinki Sinha [Dahi Vada] and Sweta Kumari [Dahi Vada]

Vegetarian (Main Course Dish) –Winner : Shankar Tiwari [Cheesy Khichdi Bites] & Pushpa Halder [Khandvi]; Runner-up: Sima Bhavsar [ Creamy Besan Gatte with Malmal Parathe]

Non-Vegetarian (Main Course Dish)- Winner: Bilquis Ashraf Jahangir [Achari Chicken with Dusti Roti] & Neelika Raza Khan [Reshmi Kabab Masala with Roghni Naan]; Runner-up: Sameera [Mutton Kofta Biryani]

Street Food – Winner: Rashmita Kumari Patra [Dahi Vada with Aaloo Dum]; 1^st Runners-up: Bindu Solanki[ Dabeli] and 2^nd Runners-up: Ritika Shevkani[Dal Pakwan]

Desserts – Winner : Abdul Hamid Nakhwa [Benami Kheer]; Runners-up: Yasmeen Lokhande [Pineapple Halwa]  &  Pushpa Bisht Sajwan [Malai Roll].

The winners and runners-up were presented with certificates of appreciation and gifts during the concluding ceremony, while consolation prizes and gifts were handed to all the participants.

The other equally mouth watering and tasty dishes displayed that won hearts of the judges and visitors with its flavor, innovation and beautifully and artistically displays included Alaao Tamatar with Matar ki puri, Aam Kheer, Aloo Chana Papdi Chaat, Aloo Kabli, Aloo Tikki, Beet Root kheer, Beet Root Halwa, Bharti Boti, Bread Rabdi Malai, Brownie Pop, Butter Flower Cake, Butter Papdi, Ghugni, Chicken Biryani with Masala Rice, Chicken Biryani, Chicken Lababdar, Chicken Liver Varatiyathan, Chicken Nihari & Creen Peas Rice, Chicken Satay, Chilla with Chutney, Choco Paan Laddoo, Chocolate Strawberry Dessert, Chura Ghugni,  Dabeli, Dahi Vada, Dahi Lauki, Dal Baati, Dal Ka Halwa, Dilli Ki Kachori, Dum Pukht Haleem, Idiyappam with Potato Curry, Egg Fingers, Fish Fry, Fruit Delight, Galauti Kabab, Gosht Kofta Masala, Gobi Manchuriyan, Gujia, Healthy Soya Chap Curry, Kakkara Pitha, Kashmiri Roghanjosh with Rice, Katori Chat, Kele ki Machhli, Khaman Dhokla, Lachha Katori Chat, Lal Murg Dum ka Chicken, Lauki Ka Halwa, Litti Chokha, LongLata, Maharashtrian Vada Paav, Mango Caramel Delight, Mago Mousse, Mas Vadi, Meva Gujia, Milk Cake with Rice, Momos, Moong Daal ka Halwa, Multani Halwa, Murg Musallam, Mitton Kofta Biryani, Nawabi Murgh, Nizami Shahi Meetha, Paad Rabdi, Paneer Butter Masala, Pineapple Halwa, Pumpkin Sweet Puri, Puran Poli, Rabri, Raj Kachodi, Rara Gosht, Sattu, Sham Savera Kofta, South Indian with Mexican Twist, Shreekhand, Stuffed Fried Rava Pitha, Sudh Shakahari Machhli will Khile Khile Chawal, Suji Pitha, Sweet Flower, Tikki Chhole Chat, Trifle Pudding, Triple Chocolate Delight, Veg Noodles, Vermicelli  with Rabri Apple & Carrot.

A Drawing and Painting competition for children was held under two age groups with the theme being Food. During the event, a photography contest enabled participants to capture artistic moments of the event.

Winners of the Drawing Competitions were:

Above 8 years –Winner: Sharda; 1^st Runners-up: Atiyah and 2^nd Runners-up: Prithvi Sajura.

Upto 8 Years – Winner : Debrata Mund; 1^st Runners-up: Sudipa Basak and 2^nd Runners-up: Avni Sinha.

A photography contest was also held where participants were asked to send pictures clicked during the event to a Whatsapp number.

The photographs were further evaluated by a panel of judges and the Best 3 photographs were declared Winners.  The panel of judges who evaluated the Drawing & Painting by the kids included subject matter experts like Pushpa Bisht Sajwan and Varmeet Kaur.

The following were judged as the winners of the photography contest: Winner: Rajesh Singh; 1^st Runners-up: Nisha and 2^nd Runners-up: Seema.

A fashion show for kids also allowed over 30 participants to walk the ramp in colorful and fancy outfits and dance to music. The event was a runaway success where all the participants, visitors and organizers enjoyed the celebrations.

Executive Committee and the organizing team for the event had exerted tremendous efforts to make the event successful. Special mentions was made of the contribution of Asha Mishra, Sana Hamid Nakhwa and Bushra Afroz. General Secretary, Manoj Mishra and President of the Association Sabir Hussain Ansari appreciated all the participants of Food Competition, Painting Competition, Fashion Parade, and Photography Contest, Judges, Volunteers, MKP Executive Team, guests as well as visitors and media for making the event a success.