Hundreds said namaste to a pop-up India at the Saxton Oval Pavilion on Sunday for a smorgasbord of the country’s regional delicacies.
The resplendent Indian Food Festival’s third course served up the scarcer Indian street food offerings to Nelsonians and the health benefits of Indian spices, all while a sitar shimmered.
The event’s guru, Anjali Puri, says most of the 14 food vendors, which included Nepalese, Indonesian, Pakistani and Afghan creations, had naan left at the end, the vibes were harmonious, and the interactive spice sessions garnered 25 students.
“It’s all about vibes and cultural awareness, and that’s what we love about it,” she says.
“When people come with that open mind, the curiosity is there to know about the culture, so we had a good turnover.
“Many of the Indians also don’t get the chance to meet each other. So this is the opportunity when they all come together, where they can speak their language, they can dress up in their own way and enjoy some Indian atmosphere.”
Anjali says while the food was kept mild for the Kiwi palates, they may spice things up at future festivals.
