The South Asian Association for Gastronomy brings the 2nd Edition of The Food for Thought Fest, December 23rd and 24th 2016

The Second Edition of the Food for Thought Fest comes back to the capital this December, celebrating the diverse culinary heritage of the South Asian region. The festival comes to Delhi on the 23^rd and 24^th of December, 2016, and will be held at the Taj Palace Hotel, Diplomatic Enclave, New Delhi.  A special one of a kind initiative that focuses on the common heritage and history of the region, as well as the unique influences that make up a part of it, it has set a benchmark as a forum for conversations, cuisines and the exchange of ideas and philosophies. The participating countries will include India, Bhutan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal.

The 2016 edition of the Food for Thought Fest brings in the exciting components that make this a truly unique event. There will be talks and discussions around culture and cuisine in the “Thought Fest”, while the “Food Fest” will be offering cookery workshops with master chefs of the region and an authentic flavour from the participating countries, which will have food stalls from some of the most superlative restaurants  from the SAARC region.. The brand new element in the fest this year will be a “Gastronomy Bazaar”, a farmer’s market in the lawns of the Taj Palace Hotel. Another huge attraction this year will be the “Fun Fest” which will be held at the JNU stadium auditorium and will offer a concert by a leading performing artist, similar to last year.

The Food for Thought Fest was conceived as a convergence ideas and dialogues around gastronomy, in the process enabling an atmosphere of South Asian commonality through culinary and cultural diversity. In its first edition, the Food For Thought Fest set a benchmark with a handpicked selection of panellists, chefs and experts. This year too, the festival will continue to engage renowned culinary giants from across the South Asian region. 

The Thought Fest will be a presentation of papers and talks, interviews and panel discussions by scholars, journalists and professionals on various topics on gastronomy. Some of the names to look forward to are Ms Ramika Ahmad, Afghanistan,  Mr Saman Nayanananda, Sri Lanka, Mr Bharat Basnet, Nepal, Ms Nahid Osman and Chef Tony Khan, Bangladesh and Ms. Yangki Tshering, Bhutan. The Food Fest has two components, on the one hand it will bring demonstration of culinary techniques and traditions from the region, It will have cookery demos by luminaries in the culinary industry and the biggest names on Indian television, with  the likes of Chef Kunal Kapoor, Chef Abhijit Saha, Chef Aditya Bal, Chef Vicky Ratnani, Chef Ranveer Brar, Chef Amrita Raichand, Chef Gautam Mehrishi among others. And on the other hand, The Food Fest will present the authentic flavor from participating south asian countries with brands like  Chaap Station, Dhaka, Bangladesh; Kasturi Garden, Dhaka, Bangladesh; Serena Hotel, Kabul, Afghanistan; Bhojan Griha, Kathmandu, Nepal and Zasa Restaurant, Thimpu, Bhutan.

The South Asian Association for Gastronomy

                                                                 T 14/7 , DLF City Phase 3, Gurgaon – 122002, India 

                www.thesaag.org

The FUN FEST brings art and cultural entertainment. There is a still life art installation project for the art connoisseur and in the evenings, there is a showcase entertainment on the finale night by performing artists from the SAARC region at the JLN Stadium Auditorium.

Over the 2 days of festival programming through sessions and workshops conducted from 11.00 am – 6.00 pmevery day, participants will have the opportunity to engage in contemporary issues with the most progressive-minded panellists, learn from the greatest chefs in the region, explore fascinating topics related to food and, of course, treat their taste buds with the most splendid flavours that the subcontinent has to offer.

The event will appeal to the mind and palate of visitors, from the eager food lovers, bloggers, students of hotel management, to professionals from the hotel and restaurant industry. The event promises to be an enriching celebration of the mind and spirit, while strengthening the sense of a joyous community.