A query about where to find a place that would make jalebis , Punjabi samosas and l addoos live at an event is posted and suggestions pop up instantly. Teesha Thomas, a young script writer, was looking for suggestions about a place to eat pizza. The rider was – not the regular pizza chains. She had all the options, at her finger tips pronto. This is Kochi Foodies Club (KFC), a Facebook group that brings together foodies in the city.
KFC is one of her go-to places while looking for suggestions of the foodie kind. “I got 20-odd suggestions, each different from the other. They have been bang on with the suggestions, the options are trustworthy and helpful,” she says. Not just that, the next time she plans to eat out she keeps the suggestions in mind.
George Bernard Shaw famously said there was no love sincerer than the love of food. We’d add commitment and passion as well when it comes to what drives the group. One of the founders, Mridul George, says he’d go to moderate lengths to check out a food place. “I’ll make a mental note and check it out sometime in my life, if I am near the place or the food. And I like to experience smaller places than fine-dining places.” Others on the group aren’t so conservative.
The group is a go-to resource not just for the foodie but also for those looking for places to eat at. Despite the apps that help with detailed info and reviews, members of the group trust the judgement of the folks who post on it. With a membership close to 900, it proves Shaw right.
“There is no personal agenda. We are like-minded people who have come together with a common interest,” Mridul says. Around six to seven youngsters from various professions administer it.
Rosanna Abrachan, one of the administrators, says, “It is an open platform and transcends geographical limitations, it is all about discovery. We are not choosy whether it’s a fancy place or a small thattukada.” In times when conversation and friendships are a luxury, a group such as this becomes much more.
Cities such as Bengaluru and Chennai have similar, very popular groups and communities with a huge following. Kochi too boasts several such food groups, unfortunately the interest wanes and there is very little activity on them. One has encountered unaddressed, forlorn enquiries on some of these. The members of KFC are part of some of these as well.
Founded almost a year-and-a-half back by Mridul and a couple of his friends; the group went through a lull following the initial burst of excitement. However, late last year, a revamp led to the group’s vibrant transformation. Another administrator, Rakesh Naik, says he is clueless about how the group keeps buzzing. The administrators are on a Whatsapp group in which they bond and brainstorm about the group’s activities. The larger group comprises techies, bankers, architects, writers, filmmakers, journalists, restaurateurs and the like; and the administrators too are otherwise employed.
Reviews of eateries or specific foods with photographs are regularly posted – it could be movie theatre popcorn, a burger, chaat, pizza or even hummus. It is also a forum for discussion on food.
Since the members are from across the city, most of who travel extensively within the city, finding new places is easy. Mridul says, “We get the news from members and visit the places and sometimes restaurants approach us.” Being sans agenda, the group has no qualms with being honest and are yet to encounter a belligerent restaurateur. Any member can post a review and hotels regularly post their food events. Not just these even culinary courses are announced here and the-odd recipe shared.
A notification is all it takes and the group swings to action. For instance, a newcomer to Kochi on the lookout for food places in the city to ‘experience’ had instant help. Smartphones and net access has made a group such as this easy, “it’s not like we have to make extra time for this. The moment a notification comes, whoever sees it responds,” says Rosanna.
The foodies meet-up, time permitting, over food. The last one saw around a dozen members meeting up in Fort Kochi. The meetings are open to everybody on the group, only that you have to be at the appointed place at the appointed time. The last meeting, a couple of weeks back, saw the group reach a decision on a flea market of sorts, of what else? Food.
“We discussed it. Some of us, like Rakesh, are passionate about cooking as well and this is a platform for us to showcase our skills,” Mridul says. For a budding restaurateur like Rakesh this is a good platform to cook and sell, on a smaller scale, to showcase his skills and learn how to work his idea.
KFC’s love affair with food appears to be deepening and we say, may the love grow!
