Saudi Arabia : Over Thousand Mangaloreans Participate in 'Atil' Food Fest
by Ravi Karkera
Daijiworld Media Network - Alkhobar
Alkhobar, Dec 6: A gala food festival “ATIL 2010” was held by MASA at Aziziyah, Alkhobar, recently.
Approximately thousand people of Indian community especially Mangaloreans at large witnessed a fabulous display of food festival called ‘ATIL 2010’ conducted by Mangalore Association Saudi Arabia (MASA). The food festival was unique in its own way because of the display of varieties of traditional Mangalorean culture, boutiques, games and entertainments besides various homemade food stalls. The special attraction was the ‘Juke Box’ where the members and guests could dedicate songs to their loved ones. Thanks to DJ Nu and DJ Sacchu for having great collections of old and new songs (Hindi, English & Kannada) and fulfilling the requirements of the members and guests by playing songs of their choice throughout.
Altogether 15 stalls were built in scaffoldings under the supervision of general secretary Santhosh Shetty. Stalls were well decorated by the stall owners (Masa members). There were about 10 food stalls, two boutiques, paan stall, Masa game stall and stall for Juke Box. Food Stalls were named as Namma Kudla, Mumbai Chat House, Kadalda Ruchi, Banjarada Vanas, Kababz & Grills, Tammana, Jubailda BBQ, Cornich Blue Dhaba, Reshma’s Corner and Cool Cool (Ice Cream Corner).
Indian readymade garments such as Kurtis, Kurtas, Pyjamas, kid’s wear and greetings cards were at the display in the boutiques, A. J. Collections (owned by Amitha Shetty) and Sunday Boutique (owned by Sunitha D Shriyan).
A brief introduction of various stalls and their specialties were made by the vice-president Ravi Karkera before the inauguration to the large gathering, waiting in excitement to enjoy the taste of homemade Mangalorean delight. The panel of judges were introduced and honoured. The judges were Pandurang Landge (president of Chemenol Saudi Arabia), Pravesh Shetty (Master Chef Movenpick Hotel -Maharaja Restaurant Alkhobar), Stany Mathias (Project Manager Al Gosaibi Catering Services Alkhobar) and Masa president Madhav Amin (General Manager Al Mojil ement Products Dammam) The ‘ATIL 2010’ kicked off with the ribbon cutting by the president Madhav Amin. Within the next moment, the stall owners and their staff were at their toes on catering the needs of the guests and members.
There was a rush of crowd at all the counters and stall owners had a roaring business. The noting point is that, more than earning money the stall owners were enjoying in serving the people according to their taste. Within the minutes the festival kicked off, the entire area was filled with guests and members from different parts of India. People had a great time in tasting the verities of Mangalorean and Indian dishes for lunch and evening snacks. Boutiques too had good business.
People thoroughly enjoyed watching traditional ‘taraida katta’ and ‘korida katta (cock fighting) led by Narendra Shetty, Gopal Shetty, Uday Kumar, Dayanand Chowta, Pradeep Kadekar, Chandrahas, Kiran and young Ashish Pai. People enjoyed a lot in grabbing attractive prizes at the Masa ring game counter. As many as 20 guests/members have earned attractive prizes through surprise announcements from the MASA counter. DJ Nu (Nayaz Kaiser) and DJ Sacchu (Sachin Hegde) were busy in playing the dedicated songs for people of their choice. On the whole the entire atmosphere was filled with joy and full of fun.
The foods and snacks served by different stalls were: Namma Kudla: Neer Dosa, Kori Sukka, Veg Pulav, Crab Sukka, Kottige/Gunda (made out of jackfruit leaves) for lunch and Rava ladoo, Gulab Jamoon, Goli Baje, Bans, Masala Dosa in snacks. Stall owned by Dayanand Shriyan, Leena Pai, Vinaya Bhandary, Kanti Yashwanth, Deepika Rai, Mahima Poojary Mumbai Chat House: Paani Puri, Bhel Puri, Dahi Sev Puri, Ragda Pattice and Falooda. Stall owned by Chetna Poojary, Mohini Karkera, Gulabi Poojary and Suman Karkera.
Kadalda Ruchi: Marwai Sukka, Neer Dose, Pundi, Grilled Prawns, Grilled Fish for lunch and Channa Chat and Pathrode for snacks. Stall owned by Prakash Sanil, Shilpa Sanil, Sumitra Kadekar Banjarada Vanas: Fish Fillets, Prawn Gasi, Fish Masala, Dahi Kadi, Plain Rice and Idli. Stall owners Vidya and Santhosh Shetty and sponsored by Snehal and Vaishnavi Shetty.
Grillzz N Kababzz: Churmuri, Dum Kabab, Fish Kabab, Tandoori Chicken, Prawn Tikka, Stick BBQ Chicken, Russian Kabab, Cream Puffs. Stall owned by Nazleen Ameer Husein, Faiza Riyaz B.K. and Naseema Salim.
Tammana: Non Veg Dishes: Kori Sar with Rutti, Kori Sukka, Bangude Pulimunchi. Veg. Thali: Rice, Chapati, Sambar, Gujje with Kadle Sukka, Menasinkayi, Uppadpacheer, Potato & Green peas Gasi, Thimare Chutney, Papad, Pickle. Other dishes: Idli, Patrode, Pundi, Manjol da Eretha Gatti, Padengi da Payasa, and Spicy Butter Milk. Stall owned by Sumana Narendra Shetty, Roopa Dayanand Chowta, Praveena Shetty, Deepa Prakash Shetty.
Jubailda BBQ Ruchi: Fish BBQ and Chicken BBQ. Stall owned by Hema Naveen Shetty Cornich Blue Dhaba: Fish Biriyani, Ghee Rice, Chicken Sukka, Butter Milk, Salad, Pickle. Stall owned by Cornich Blue Cricketers. Cool Cool: Different flavors of ice creams. Stall owned by Usman Hosangadi Reshma’s Corner: Rice Laddu, Wheat Laddu, Soji Laddu, Etti Pinde, Chicken Kabab, special Mangalorean Nanari Soda and Ginseng Healthy Coffee. Stall owned by Reshma Hameed The festival went on till 5.30 pm. The Namma Kudla stall got the lion's share in the competition by winning awards in all the four categories. The following stalls were declared as winners:
1. Best Food Stall (Main Course) – 1st place won by Namma Kudla, 2nd place earned by Tammana and the 3rd place shared between Kababz & Grills and Cornich Blue Dhaba
2. Best Food Stall (Snacks) – 1st place won by Namma Kudla, 2nd place went to Mumbai Chat House and 3rd place grabbed by Kababz & Grills.
3. Best Decorative stall went to Namma Kudla
4. Best Hygienic stall went to Namma Kudla
People really had a ‘food for thought’ and a great Friday concluded with thanking the judges, guests, members, stall owners and all those who contributed directly and indirectly for the memorable event ATIL 2010. Thanks to the Architect of ‘ATIL 2010’ ambiance, Santhosh Shetty, general secretary of MASA who spent couple of nights in building up the beautiful and wonderful atmosphere. Before winding up, Karkera invited all the members to MASA Annual day which is scheduled on Thursday December 16 at Dammam auditorium.