Muhammad A. Tayeb, Ministry of Foreign Affairs' director general for Makkah Region, opened the five-day Indian food festival in the presence of a large number of officials, diplomats, businessmen and residents on Tuesday night.

The chefs have been specially flown in from Hotel Ashoka, Chankayapuri, New Delhi, who are offering authentic Indian dishes from throughout the length and bread of the country during the event till Jan. 28.

The incoming chefs include Kirti Rastogi, who specializes in Awadhi, North-West Frontier and multi-cuisine, A.P. Girish with an expertise in preparing delectable South Indian fares and Raju Chauhan who has mastered the art of north Indian food, such as curry and tandoor.

The chefs, who have traveled to many countries for Indian food festivals, said this was their first visit to the Kingdom and would make sincere efforts to offer the best dishes.

“On menu is an array of delicacies, all authentic and mouth-watering, from different regions of India,” Indian Consul Faiz Ahmad Kidwai said. “With arrangements for a live cooking demonstration, the festivities are a must-visit for not only the gourmet but also those wishing to experience an exclusive and sumptuous dining palate all in the heart of the city,” he added.

“We have flown in the chefs especially to indulge your taste buds with the country's exquisite delicacies, all unique and popular worldwide, from different regions of India,” Indian Consul for Commercial and Culture Shakeel Ahmed said.

The event opened on the eve of India's Republic Day, which is being celebrated on Thursday (today). It is aimed at providing an opportunity to the residents to enjoy the original culinary skills and the flavors of exotic spices, which make the Indian cuisine truly an international delight. Elaf's Deputy CEO Tarik H. Nabulsi and General Manager Hussain Rauff together with their management and staff are overseeing the arrangements.

“We want Indian food lovers, especially Saudis, to enjoy the original flavors and the generosity of spices in each dish, which makes the Indian cuisine very unique and popular among the international cuisines,” Elaf's Marketing Coordinator Akif Rashid said. The exhaustive spread of dishes is meant to satisfy both vegetarians and non-vegetarians complete from appetizers to desserts.

The menu will rediscover the rich flavors of diverse states and indulge in their rich regional culinary heritage. Chicken and meat eaters have a wide variety of choice.

Popular south Indian varieties like lemon rice, appam,idli and dosa were hugely in demand on the opening day, as also traditional desserts like jalebi and gulab jamun to ensure the best ending of the meal.