Eros Hotel New Delhi, in association with the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Iran Culture House, and CD Foundation hosted the Iranian food festival from December 11 to 17, 2024. The week-long celebration brought the vibrant hues of Persian culture and cuisine from the heart of Iran to Delhi, creating an unparalleled experience for food lovers.
For seven days, master Iranian chefs curated an authentic and exquisite menu, showcasing the diverse culinary heritage of Iran. Each day’s featured dish explored unique regional flavours, offering guests a memorable gastronomic journey through Iran’s rich culinary tapestry.
The festival began with the exclusive event, ‘Coffee Morning with the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran,’ which focussed on tourism and trade promotion. On December 12, the final round of the Iranian Food Competition and Workshop took centre stage. This was followed by the grand Indo-Iranian Cultural Show on December 16, where performances celebrated the shared cultural ties, culminating in a Gala Iranian Dinner, where all participants were felicitated by the Iran Embassy and the Iran Culture House.
The Iranian Food Competition, judged by an esteemed jury panel comprising Kazem Samandari, Executive Chairman of Lopera; Chef Mostafa Taheripour Isfahani from Maccan Tourism; and Chef Diwas Wadhera, Executive Chef, Eros Hotel New Delhi, saw incredible talent and innovation. Chef Neda Tavakoli from Iran emerged as the winner, while Hem Chandra Arya from Eros Hotel New Delhi secured the first runner-up position, and Chef Bharat Khemani was declared the second runner-up.
The festival’s culinary offerings included delicacies such as Shirazi Salad; Ash Reshteh and the Gheimeh. Other highlights included Kuku Sabzi; Korshet-e-Bademjan and a variety of Iranian desserts such as Rhubarb Rose and Pistachio Trifle Pots, Soleh-Zard, and Tahini Cinnamon Swirls.
The ambiance at Blooms Restaurant and other event venues radiated the essence of Iran with Iranian décor. Traditional elements enhanced the spaces, transporting guests to the heart of Persia and creating an immersive and enchanting experience.
Reflecting on the festival, Chef Diwas Wadhera, Executive Chef of Eros Hotel New Delhi, stated, “It was an incredible experience to be part of this cultural exchange. Despite the language barriers, the collaboration between the Eros Hotel team and the Iranian chefs was seamless and inspiring. Together, we breathed new life into traditional recipes, blending authenticity with contemporary flair for our guests.”