MASTER TOUCH: ITC corporate chef O.P. Khantwal preparing kebabs at the Afghani food festival in Vijayawada. — PHOTO: CH_VIJAYA BHASKAR

VIJAYAWADA : The polished interiors of Hotel Fortune Murali Park were transformed into the rugged frontier terrain with a fortress and the affable staff members were dressed in traditional Pathan attire setting the mood for the two-week long Sarhadi - the Afghani food festival, which started on Thursday.

Keen to cater to the needs of Vijayawada gourmets, the hotel launched the festival displaying a wide range of non-vegetarian delicacies such as Mahi Dum Kandahari, Tandoori Pasande, Tandoori Chaap, Raan-e-Gulmarg, Mugh Afghani, Gosht Korma and Kashmiri Roghan Josh.

Vegetarian fare

Says Mohammad Shoeb, general manager of the hotel: "There will also be an assortment of vegetarian fare like Paneer Khurcha, Ajwani Paneer, Siyal Koto Kofte, Lahori Aloo and Peshawari Naan and stuffed Kulchas."

A huge picture of Buzkashi (it is one of the ancient games played in Afghanistan, in which mountain goats were hunted by horse raiders on horsebacks) on the wall represented the passion and zeal of the frontier region's culture, while earthen pots, a chessboard and a hookah added a dash of authenticity to the ambience.

A master chef specially flown in from ITC Grand Kakatiya at Hyderabad will prepare the cuisine for the festival. "The festival will be personally supervised by O.P. Khantwal, corporate chef, Fortune Park Hotels," Mr. Shoeb adds.

Mr. Khantwal will teach women who attend the International Women's Day festival being organised by the hotel, the nuances of the preparing these delicacies, on Friday. The buffet festival will be on at Zodiac, the 24-hour Astral Coffee Shop. The festival will conclude on March 22, he said.

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