Bengali dine den 6 Ballygunge Place is hosting ‘Bangladesh Er Pulao Payesh Parbon 2024’ at their Rajarhat, Saltlake, Chowringhee and Ballygunge outlets from
April 2 to April 11. The festival has been curated in collaboration with chef Nayana Afroz who is a renowned Bangladeshi culinary expert. Having worked in developmental sectors for decades, Afroz brings stories of undiscovered Bangladeshi dishes that are embedded in the country’s culture and history. As a prelude to Eid, the biggest festival of Bangladesh, the items being featured are traditional staples enjoyed in typical Bangladeshi homes during sehri and iftar. And, a handful of these dishes are found only in interior parts of the country.
Haari Kebabs cooked inside an earthenware clay pot is mouthwatering
“Out of 59 districts in Bangladesh, I have travelled to 65 of them. My work with UNICEF, UNDP and UNFPA, among others, was mostly women-oriented and that is when I was exposed to the multiple methods of making authentic Bangladeshi dishes. My aim is to make people outside of Bangladesh familiar with the country’s food, prepared during weddings and festivals, whether in villages or among the elites. I have started this journey from 2017 and conducted such festivals in several properties across India. I want people to know that Bangladeshi cuisine is much more than kacchi biryani,” said Afroz. Sushanta Sengupta, head chef and director of 6 Ballygunge Place said: “We wanted to focus on food specifically made during Ramzan. The spread mostly consists of 16 items that are essentially an array of payesh (dessert) and pulao, thus the name. Some of our desserts like Peper Payesh is made from raw papayas and the dish is brilliant! All our four fine dining outlets will host this festival and we hope for a great response.”
t2 dropped in during the weekend to get you the first sneak peek. Here’s what we liked....
A Ramzan spread is incomplete without the Khashir Pulao right from the streets of Dhaka with laccha salad and mint chutney.
Kata Pona Pulao comprises Katla mach in dum pulao.