In celebration of a beautiful relationship and blending of two cultures from different countries, Spencer’s at South City Mall witnessed a fabulous Korean Food Fiesta on May 19. Organised by Spencer’s Retail in partnership with the Embassy of the Republic of Korea, the Korean Food Fiesta saw guests gather to soak in the flavours of Seoul and Calcutta, celebrating 50 years of their diplomatic relations. The guests treated themselves to some sumptuous Korean cuisine like the classic tteokbokki and gimbap made by Jiyeol Kim, the executive chef of the Korean embassy in India.
The event began with an introduction and a warm welcome of the delegates from the Korean embassy in India who were invited to light the lamp. Both Calcutta and Korea are known for their hospitality and it seemed that the lines of difference between the two cultures disappeared. The Korean ambassador, Chang Jae-bok, gave a speech, followed by speeches by the vice president of FMCG in Spencer’s Retail, T.P. Singh and Kaushik Ganguly (vice president and business head of the East). Guests like Joonhwa Bin, managing director of the South Asia head office of the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) and many other dignitaries were present. Even K-pop and K-drama fans from all over the city were there to catch the live cooking action by Jiyeol Kim and taste the K-food.
(l-r) Executive chef of the Korean embassy in India, Jiyeol Kim, The ambassador of the Republic of Korea in India puts his best foot forward to RRR’s Oscar-winning Naatu naatu
Gimbap
Some tteokbokki in the making
“Spencer’s offers the widest range of gourmet under one roof. If you are a K-food lover you are surely spoilt for choices and quality at Spencer’s. You would be surprised to discover that K-food actually savours with the taste buds of people in Bengal,” said Kaushik Ganguly, vice president and business head of the East at Spencer’s Retail.
“The Korean culture is quite popular now in India. It is a great honour and moment for our embassy that we can organise this kind of event in Calcutta, the cultural capital of India and the City of Joy. Food and culture connect the people and this year we complete 50 years of diplomatic relations with each other. So, I’m so happy to organise this event in Calcutta, as it’s connecting people from Korea and Calcutta. We’ll try our best to host and organise more of such events,” said Chang Jae-bok, the ambassador of the Republic of Korea in India.