Report by Jacob Richard Machado-Salalah for Daijiworld News Network
[with input from Vincent Fernandes]

Salalah, Oct 31: The much awaited ‘The Annual Food Festival’ took place recently at the St. Xavier’s Church compound.

Salalah Church Food Festival is probably the most interesting and entertaining event to be held at the church compound. This has been an annual event for the last few years; especially with the undying enthusiasm of the Organizing Committee and support from the Parish Priest Fr. Kuria Kose in organizing event.

The whole event began with the Rosary followed by the Holy Mass. After the Holy Mass, the church choir moved on to the well set stage to sing  ‘Showers of Blessing’, then there was an apt reading from the scriptures followed by a prayer and blessing of all the Food Stalls by the Parish Priest. The big rush heading towards the food stalls gave a clear indication of the success that was to follow.

On display at the Mangalorean Stall were mouth watering dishes like Pork Bafat, Chicken Curry, Chicken Sukkha and Beef Curry that were complimented along with Sannas, Panpole and Pullao. The menu also included Chicken Drumsticks, Franks, Chicken Popcorn, Spring Rolls as well as Masala Sev Puri. To mention a few who were willing volunteers involved in the Mangalorean Stall were Clement and Anita, Lawrence and Juliet, Vincy and Marlene, Richie and Ilona, Peter and Winney, Robert and Treza, Michael and Anita, Alphonso and Vinny, Vallerian and Prafulla, Felix and Asha, Mr. and Mrs. Dolphy Mathias, Tony and Ruby, Sunil and Jacqueline and also the entire team of singles comprising of Robert Rego, Tyron Soares and many others.

Other Stalls too had their specialties.

The Goan’s Sorpatel, Chicken Xacutti, Butter Chicken, Beef Roast, Fish Cutlets and Pullav.

The Tamil group’s Vadas. Dosas, Idiappas, Idlis and Othappams along with Chutney-Sambhar, Chicken Curry, Beef Fry and Pork Vindalu.

The Phillipino group’s Okoy(fritters), Lumpia(spring rolls) and Kutsinta(rice cakes) and

The Malayali group’s Beef, Chicken and Fish Curries, Appams and Pathiri.

With the taste buds activated and the hunger appeased the Variety Entertainment put up by the different communities for the evening was an unexpected treat for the large crowd gathered.

The little ones Nissi, Kevin, Naomi, Vineeth, Greeshma, Brian, Samantha and Elton were enthusiastic moving to the rhythm of ‘Lazy Town’.

The children from the Goan Konkani speaking community also did justice dancing to the beats of the traditional ‘Goan Mando’.

A solo cinematic dance ‘Nache Baliye’ was performed by Pearl Machado.

Selvin, Varon, Carol, Crystal and Judith danced well on Konkani Song ‘Bhatkarancha Shetanth’.

The variety entertainment programme also included other dance items as well as Seby and Group’s live-band which entertained the crowd with well selected Konkani songs.

The Housie Game followed by the Lucky dips winners announced and it was beyond the midnight hour when the stalls were taken down and the Salalah Parishioners finally hit their beds.