‘Taste of Bangladesh’ food festival begins in the capital
The ‘Taste of Bangladesh’ food festival has begun under the initiative of the Bangladesh Tourism Board, Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism.
Advisor to the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism A F Hasan Arif inaugurated the four-day “Taste of Bangladesh” event on Friday (December 13).
Cabinet Secretary Sheikh Abdur Rashid was present as the special guest at the inaugural ceremony. Bangladesh Tourism Board Chief Executive Officer Abu Taher Muhammad Jaber and Dhaka North City Corporation Administrator Md Mahmudul Hasan were also present in the event.
This year’s event features Dhaka’s Beauty Lachchi; Lalbagh’s Kachchi Biryani; Faizane Medina’s famous Bobar Biryani; Bakarkhani; Bismilla’s Kebab; Cumilla’s Rasmalai; Khulna’s Chuijhal, Sherpur’s Chanar Payesh and Tulshimala’s Rice; the famous Raja-Cha; Choton Mama’s Fire Paan; Rabbit meat, Chitaruti; Jessore’s Jamtala’s Sadek Golla; Bogra’s Yogurt, Khirsa; Cox’s Bazar’s Seafood; Chittagong Hill Tracts’ Bamboo Chicken; Chittagong’s Mejban; Barisal’s Raschusi, Dudhchitai, Patisapata, Poyapitha, Benipitha, Jamaipitha, Talerpitha, Bousundari, Labanga Latika, Hridoyharan, Ilishapitha, Bhapapuli; Morog Polao, Tehari and Borhani. Visitors are enjoying the taste of fuchka and haleem; daber pudding, kachagolla and sandesh of Natore; Monipuri hyena tea and food of Moulvibazar; Kalai roti of Rajshahi, rabbit meat. Five-star hotels like Intercontinental Dhaka, Pan Pacific Sonargaon, Sheraton Dhaka are presenting their Bangladeshi cuisine in different aspects. Bangladesh Tourism Corporation and SME entrepreneurs have participated with their various items. There is a Gen Z Hangout Corner for the young generation.
Organized for the first time in 2023 by the Bangladesh Tourism Board in Banani, the heart of Dhaka, with 44 participating organizations, the inaugural Taste of Bangladesh event adds a different dimension to the foodie visitors of the capital Dhaka for its food diversity, traditional food stalls, and exotic flavors.
The program has been organized to promote sustainable development of Bangladesh’s regional traditional food, create awareness about Bangladeshi food, promote gastronomy tourism and showcase regionally diverse food to domestic and foreign visitors. Taste of Bangladesh Season 2 started from December 13 at Mustafa Kamal Ataturk Park in Banani, Dhaka and will continue till December 16. Sixty-two regional stalls have participated in Taste of Bangladesh with various traditional food.
Along with traditional and exotic food, a delightful cultural program has also been organized. The four-day event will feature regional traditional cultural performances of Bangladesh such as Rajshahi’s traditional Gambhira, Kuddus Boyati songs, Puthi reading, debates on regional food, Baul music, Qawwali, puppet dance, Pahari dance, joint dance performances by various professionals including fishermen, snake charmer, and fishermen, band music, raffle draws, live cooking competitions, etc. In addition, there will be a regional traditional GI product corner, a musical instrument corner, and a fun experience with Bangladeshi food with the participation of foreign guests.
Bangladesh Tourism Board, Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, Dhaka North City Corporation, WASHA, DESCO, Fire Service, Dhaka Metropolitan Police Gulshan Zone, Tourist Police, SME Foundation, Bangladesh Safe Food Authority, Dhaka Banani Society are supporting the Taste of Bangladesh Food Festival. In addition, Spellabound Communication Limited, Ice Cream Partner Polar Ice Cream, Corporate Partner Runner Automobile and RR Cable, EV Partner BYD, Hospitality Partner Pan Pacific Sonargaon and Intercontinental Dhaka, Cultural Partner Cultural Classicist are also playing a role as event planning and implementation partners.
Taste of Bangladesh is a unique blend of traditional food and culture of Bangladesh. One of the objectives of Taste of Bangladesh is to introduce traditional local food and culture to the younger generation. This event has been prepared as one of the platforms to preserve the long-cherished food and cultural heritage of Bangladeshis, which will play a role in building a sustainable culture.