By Ronald D’Souza and Joe Andrade
Daijiworld Media Network

Bahrain, Mar 19: There’s nothing that can beat one’s voracious appetite!   The talented fine art of carvings out of vegetables and the sumptuous sight of  mouth-watering home-made dishes, so well spread on the table,  creates not only an awesome sight to the naked eye but also a unique mystical salivary chemistry of the digestive system!    The magic of it all, always,  tastily palatable and immensely satisfying!.

Sujyothi Shetty and Lolakshi Rajaram, as main co-ordinators of The Ladies Wing of  Kannada Sangha, Bahrain, under the auspices of the Executive Committee  of the Sangha organized a FOOD FESTIVAL at its premises last weekend.    The program comprised of a Vegetable Carving Competition for its members on the  evening of 15th March, 2007 and a healthy Cookery Competition for its lady members on  16th March, 2007, encouragingly bringing out member’s and their spouses talents in the field.

The Vegetable Carving Competition brought forth member-artistes show-casing an array of typical sketches, portraits and depictions of the Map of Karnataka, Lord Ganesh, Crocodile, Octopus, etc. skillfully carved from a variety of edible vegetables.   Infact, it was heartening to note that a majority of the competitors were from the men’s cadre.    The ladies too excelled in their art.    The 1st place winner Veg Carvings was Jyothi Ruben and the 2nd place went to Joel.

The highlight of the Anand Bazaar or Food Festival was the Culinary Competition held on the evening of Friday, 16th March which attracted a variety of home-made delicacies of salads, main course and desserts.   The program was inaugurated by D. Debesh, Airindia Manager, Bahrain and Jordan by lighting of the traditional lamp.  Raghunathan, Counselor, Indian Embassy, Bahrain, who was the Chief Guest on the occasion  was accompanied by his wife.    Raj Kumar, President of Kannada Sangha welcomed the gathering.    Raghunathan and Debesh spoke few encouraging and appetizing words on the occasion in appreciation.

The delicacies were judged by three expert Chefs from the Ramee International Group of Hotels who found that it was no easy task to select the best!  

There was everything for everybody laid out on the table in healthy competition.    Delicious main-course delicacies like Karela Kamalke, Mutton Maratha, Chicken Sukka, Pork curry,  Bangude Gassy, Pepper Chicken, Chicken Biriyani and Pudina Pulav to name a few.    Desserts like Beetroot Halwa, Thoodi Halwa, Kashi Halwa and Bread Pudding also adorned the table for those who had the sweet tooth!     All of this were for anybody’s palatable asking for a nominal price during the program.      

The prize-winning placings were:

Veg.  section  – 1st Sujyothi Shetty, 2nd Sashikala Rao, 3rd Mukta Srikanth
Non-veg. section – 1st Sarosh Hejmady, 2nd Shanthi Pinto, 3rd Rekha Shetty
Desserts section – 1st Shobha Shetty, 2nd Chetana Rajkumar, 3rd Umaira

A number of fun-games for children and adults like the Lucky-7, Ring-throw and Lucky-dip that were organized noisily entertained the crowd of members, children and guests in active participation. 

Kamalaksh Amin, proposed the vote of thanks congratulating the winners and appreciating the culinary competition spirits of the participants.