From Kolkata chaat and Kalimpong momos to Mangalorean eats, regional fare from across India comes to the suburb's first food- fest-for-a-cause
This weekend, if you walk into St Anthony's ground in Chembur, you'll come across a stall offering south Indian fare. Before dismissing it as just another idli-dosa pit stop, go ahead and check out the menu. You'll find benne idli pudi, a decadent version of the humble snack, slathered with homemade white butter and Mylapore chutney, sharing space with Mangalorean goli bajje, rasam and bisebele bhaat.
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Pop Kolkata-style puchkas
These items will be offered by Masalasam, a new catering and delivery venture launched by father-son duo, Suresh and Gopalkrishna Kamath, who are also partners at two legendary establishments — Matunga's Café Madras and Hotel Gopalkrishna in Malad.
benne idli pudi
"This is an independent venture, with the idea of offering recipes, beyond idli-dosa, curated from Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Kerala," says Kamath.
A staffer makes pattice at Vig Refreshments
Eat for a cause
This is just one of the 60 stalls to feature at Chembur Food Festival, the suburb's first food-themed fest for a cause. The two-day fundraiser is hosted by Earthangels Welfare Foundation. "The proceeds will help accomplish the NGO's mission to spread joy among orphans, homeless and vulnerable kids. It's also our quest to improve the lives of terminally ill children and their families," says Amit Nariani, director of the non-profit.
Suresh with son Gopalkrishna Kamath
Flavours from India
Besides Thai curries, pizzas, nachos, manchurian and waffles, the fest offers a variety of regional fare. This includes Kolkata-style street fare like jhal mudi and puchka offered by Via Calcutta, a rebranded avatar of Carter Road's Chaat Stories, and Sindhi classics like chhole pattice and dal pakwan from the iconic Vig Refreshments. A must-try are momos rustled up by Bishal Tirva, who moved from Kalimpong to Mumbai three months ago, and started Finding Momos, a Goregaon-based catering venture.
momos with tomato-garlic chutney
"Back home, we had a tradition of inviting relatives for momos every weekend. So, I learnt the recipes while growing up. They are simple but authentic, from the way the skin is prepared to the cooking style. Here, I've mostly found fusion momos; some even with chaat masala," says Tirva, who will serve vegetarian and chicken momos made of white flour and whole wheat. Savour them with freshly prepared tomato-garlic chutney.
Hailing from Kalimpong, Bishal Tirva
The fest also includes a shopping zone, a tarot reading session, yoga workshops, a drawing competition for kids as well as dance performances by residents of Chembur.
On : December 2 and 3, 11 am to 10 pm (both days)
At : St Anthony's ground, behind OLPS Church, Chembur East.
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