FOOD FESTIVAL OF GOA

                                            FOOD FESTIVAL OF GOA

By Shambhavi Parsekar

Goa is a land of varied festivals and events. To taste the real flavors of Goa, one should visit the state during the days when the food festival is celebrated in the state. Food has as important place in Goan life as its music, painting and poetry. Cooking is somewhat elevated to an art form in Goan life and hence Goan cuisine acquires its uniqueness of being an artistic blend of the Western and Indian styles. Goan dishes go well with rice, which is a Goan staple, and assorted Indian breads. Obviously due to the geographic conditions seafood occupies the pride of place in Goan cuisine unmatched by those from any other Indian State and is sure to satisfy any gourmet palate.

The Food Festival is a 5 day festival planned to give special focus on Goa with reference to Seafood and is an annual feature. This festival is held on the popular beaches of Goa probably in the months of November and December. Fresh catches from the sea are presented in the form of various tantalizing preparations. Also enjoy a wide range of meat and vegetarian delicacies that will leave you craving for more. Goan food is as famous as the Goans' Endeavour for poetry, painting and music. Goans' have elevated cooking to a delicate art, thereby evolving a unique cuisine, which is an inspired blend of the Western and Indian variety. However, the pride of the place goes to seafood with a host of fresh varieties. Goan seafood is sure to satisfy the most discerning gourmet.

A number of stalls run by reputed caterers both from the best hotels as well as restaurants and even housewives offer one a rich experience of Goan cuisine. There are also stalls catering to aerated drinks, alcoholic beverages, ice-creams and snacks. The stalls are financed through sponsorship raised commercially. Locals and tourists from all parts of the state make it a point to attend this festival to enjoy the seafood specialties as well as other mouthwatering delicacies. Cultural programmes and fireworks display are also presented, which also concludes the food celebration.

In general there is a lot of partying and merrymaking that goes on alongside the gorging. Tourists are also treated to various cultural programs that are organized to pull in the crowds in hordes.