In pictures: Khai Khai Food Festival leaves Kolkata’s foodies spoilt for choice
Four days of binge eating for food lovers to help raise funds for health camps
By
ALEX ARGHYA ADHIKARI |
Published 20.01.23, 12:25 PM
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The third chapter of the Khai Khai Food Festival took place between January 12 and 15 at Triangular Park, featuring a smorgasbord of delicacies and cuisines. Organised by Friend in Need, a pan- India NGO, the event attracted Kolkatans from all walks of life, including food influencers and vloggers like Foody Bangali and Henglabazz.
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‘Our first chapter took place in February 2022, while our second was held last December. The aim at Khai Khai is always the same — to ensure that people have a good time sampling a variety of food items with friends and family. Additionally, whatever funds are raised from the festival are used for setting up Su Swasthya camps (health camps) across Kolkata,’ said Debojyoti Mukherjee, the man behind Friend in Need
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Kebabiz, originally from Lal Garh Colony, was arguably the best attended stall in the festival, serving up some succulent kebabs, ranging from reshmi to tandoori to malai. It also had Chinese and north Indian combos for customers looking for main courses
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Chufang from Chinatown also proved extremely popular, especially for its wontons and dim sums. The rice rolls, both veg and non-veg, sold out fast. Interestingly, Chufang is one of the few Chinese restaurants in Chinatown that regularly provides takeaway and home delivery services
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Founded and run by Anupama Banerjee, Gateau Anu’s Baking House, located in Naktala, stood out for its fusion pastries, particularly the Choco Pineapple, the Choco Mango and the Mixed Berry options. The bestsellers, however, were the Rasmalai Cupcake and the Coffee Cake
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Another dessert stall that was swarmed by visitors was Sylph Chocolates, based in Salt Lake, which only does eggless items. The ones that delighted most sweet lovers were the Liquor Chocolate, Belgium Truffle Jar and Brownie Hot Chocolate
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Barrackpore’s Roy Pan Palace was one of the most innovative stalls across the four days, serving Bengalis’ favourite paan with a twist. Some of the most curious variations were the Chocolate and White Chocolate Paan and the Mango Paan. The highest-selling were the Benarasi Ice Paan and the Fire Smoke Paan
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The ideal stall to round off a mobile degustation for most was 365 Live Ice Cream, which has its roots in Burdwan. Known for customising ice cream rolls based on customer preferences, the most ordered flavours from here were Tender Coconut, Gulab Jamun, rasmalai and rabdi
