SHILLONG: Had Erma Bombeck, an American humorist, be at the Rilbong food festival on Saturday, she would repeat her words, “I am not a glutton, I am an explorer of food.”
The unique festival, organised by the Rilbong Sports and Cultural Club as part of its ongoing diamond jubilee celebrations, was indeed a congregation of ‘explorers’ who hopped from one stall to another to scout for the best of all regions of India to satiate their taste buds.
The food festival, which made a comeback after 14 years, created quite a buzz in the city and visitors queued up from the morning to taste the delicacies dished out by skilful cooking enthusiasts.
Former Home Minister RG Lyngdoh inaugurated the festival in the morning. Judges included people from various walks of life that included bureaucrats, doctors, socialites and others.
From Tungrymbai, or fermented soya bean, to the very own chicken tikka, the variety was wide and the fest, hence, aptly named ‘a foodie feast for all’.
Sina Millick, a lady who was exhibiting traditional Khasi food, said she was happy to take part in the event and that many people liked her food. “Events like these should be held more regularly,” she added.
Pinky Ghosh, who had made chicken kofta, said events like these allow people to communicate with each other and have a taste of other communities and their lifestyle. She also said people have liked her food and her food received good response from the public.
One of the famous eateries in the city, Delhi Mistan Bhandar, set up a stall at Rilbong ground, the venue for the festival. The owner of Delhi Mistan Bhandar, Kailash Verma, said he was extremely happy to be a part of the event.
“Our world famous jalebis are doing well here,” he said and added that a food fest of this magnitude brings everyone together.
Manas Chaudhuri, president of the Rilbong Sports and Cultural Club, said everyone loves good food and the Club has tried to bring the different food culture together. “We are trying to bring the cosmopolitan and diverse food culture on a common platform for the people to appreciate,” he added.
Chaudhuri also said usually women in the families cook inside the house and get little chance to showcase their talent and the fest gave them the opportunity to do that. The fest, he said, “is a tribute to all those who love food”.
There were over 200 participants in different categories that included preparations of mutton, chicken, pork, fish, dry fish in the non vegetarian category.
There was also the vegetarian category and adding to this was the “live” cooking contest.
