The Hindu : Karnataka News : The destination for some mouth-watering cuisine

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Wednesday, Oct 17, 2007
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Karnataka

Karnataka

The destination for some mouth-watering cuisine

Shankar Bennur

The Dasara Food Mela has been drawing food lovers in large numbers

MYSORE: Attention foodies… are you keen on savouring some exquisite, traditional cuisines all at one place? Then rush to the Dasara Food Mela, the one-stop destination for some mouth-watering and lip-smacking appetisers, in Mysore.

The spicy fish delicacies and lip-smacking steaks dished out at the mela on the premises of the Mysore Public Offices (CADA building) near the Mysore City Corporation are drawing people who have a penchant for tasty food in big numbers.

Traditional food from different parts of the State and exquisite delicacies from other States, including Rajasthan, Kerala and Gujarat, are being served to please the food connoisseurs.

Snacks prepared from ragi, staple food crop of the old Mysore region, appears to be a big hit at the mela as visitors, including foreign tourists, are making a beeline to the stall put up by the Krishi Vignana Kendra of Mandya. “Ragi dosa”, “ragi roti”, “ragi mudde” and “ragi pakoda” are served at this stall.

As many as 24 stalls have been put up at the mela where members of the Sthree Shakti Sanghas are serving special dishes of rural Karnataka. “Akki roti”, “jowar roti” with special curries and special “bhajjis” have kindled the spirit of food lovers.

Though the organisers are finding it difficult to maintain the crowd, the stall owners are raking in the moolah, with food lovers savouring most dishes served at the mela.

The stall put up by a group from Bijapur has been attracting a large number of people as it is serving “jowar roti” and “yennegai pallya”, a dish prepared from round-shaped brinjals.

The chat items are indeed tickling the taste buds of many visitors. They include “sev puri”, “bhel puri”, “pav bhaji”, “samosa”. The chat section is making roaring business as the young and the old alike are queuing up at these stalls.

Varieties of “paratas” straight from the “tava” are also attracting the visitors.

For those who like non-vegetarian food, the Kerala food stall is the right place to be as it is dishing out sea fish specialities.

From fish curry to fish kebab, all the items are carefully prepared by the chefs to provide authentic Malabar cuisine.

The specialities from the coffee land, Kodagu, are teasing the gastronomists. Modern day snacks such as pizzas and burgers are also available for the hep and young crowd which like them the most.

Food and Civil Supplies Deputy Director Mahadevappa, who is co-ordinating the Food Mela, told The Hindu that the response has been overwhelming and care has been taken to keep the surroundings tidy.

“The Karavali, Malabar and North Karnataka cuisines have been popular among the food lovers,” he said. To make the ambience suitable for the visitors, cultural programmes have also been organised.

“Traditional dances and music from the districts have made the place suitable for spending an evening with family and friends,” says Kiran, a businessman.

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