Varli: Food for Thought
By Rachna Kapur
April 10, 2011

Tantalizing smells, vibrant colors and delectable cuisine filled the Altman Building at the Varli Food Festival held in New York City on April 7, 2011. The festival was organized by Varli Singh, the founder of Varli Magazine. Over 800 people were in attendance for the sold out Festival that was focused on Indian culinary cuisine. The festival featured over 35 restaurants and a number of celebrity chefs.
Celebrity Chefs participated in various activities during the course of the event; including cookbook signings, cooking demonstrations and a silent auction. Sanjeev Kapoor, celebrity chef, indulged guests with a live cooking show and cookbook signing. The Festival also featured wine parings, an open bar, and a live performance of tabla and dance by Tina Sugandh.
Guests attending the event included renowned Chefs, Restaurant Owners and many South Asian Celebrities. Tastings offered by restaurants included Paneer Kati Rolls, Chaat, Coconut Shrimp, Masala Crab Cake with Lotus Root Crisp and much more.
A unique aspect of the festival included the fact that guests were able to leave with a piece of indian cuisine selected by themselves- a spice market filled with everything from spices to snacks was available for guest to take their piece of the festival home. In addition to the hand-picked gift bag, guests left with a gift certificate book worth over $500 in discounts from participating restaurants and V card membership to be used when dining.
World renowned celebrity chefs that participated in the Varli Food Festival are Master Chef Sanjeev Kapoor, Vikas Khanna, Jehangir Mehta (former, runner up on “the Next Iron Chef’) Hemant Mathur, Floyd Cardoz , Suvir Saran, Prasad Chirnomula, Hari Nayak, Maneet Chauhan (former, contestant on ‘The Next Iron Chef’), Walter D’Rozario, Mel Oza, and Peter Beck. Chef Pankaj Bhadouria, winner of Master Chef India and Radhicka Agarwaal
A percentage of the proceeds of the ticket sales will be donated to the Food Bank for New York City along with 100% of proceeds from the cookbook sales and the silent auction.
For more information on the Varli Food Festival visit www.varlifoodfestival.com
Celebrity Chefs participated in various activities during the course of the event; including cookbook signings, cooking demonstrations and a silent auction. Sanjeev Kapoor, celebrity chef, indulged guests with a live cooking show and cookbook signing. The Festival also featured wine parings, an open bar, and a live performance of tabla and dance by Tina Sugandh.
Guests attending the event included renowned Chefs, Restaurant Owners and many South Asian Celebrities. Tastings offered by restaurants included Paneer Kati Rolls, Chaat, Coconut Shrimp, Masala Crab Cake with Lotus Root Crisp and much more.
A unique aspect of the festival included the fact that guests were able to leave with a piece of indian cuisine selected by themselves- a spice market filled with everything from spices to snacks was available for guest to take their piece of the festival home. In addition to the hand-picked gift bag, guests left with a gift certificate book worth over $500 in discounts from participating restaurants and V card membership to be used when dining.
World renowned celebrity chefs that participated in the Varli Food Festival are Master Chef Sanjeev Kapoor, Vikas Khanna, Jehangir Mehta (former, runner up on “the Next Iron Chef’) Hemant Mathur, Floyd Cardoz , Suvir Saran, Prasad Chirnomula, Hari Nayak, Maneet Chauhan (former, contestant on ‘The Next Iron Chef’), Walter D’Rozario, Mel Oza, and Peter Beck. Chef Pankaj Bhadouria, winner of Master Chef India and Radhicka Agarwaal
A percentage of the proceeds of the ticket sales will be donated to the Food Bank for New York City along with 100% of proceeds from the cookbook sales and the silent auction.
For more information on the Varli Food Festival visit www.varlifoodfestival.com