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Wagah ‘peace restaurant’ to showcase food in Paris

Wagah ‘peace restaurant’ to showcase food in Paris

Sarhad restaurant has been invited to the ‘Grand Fooding S. Pellegrino Plats’ to be organised on Sept 24 in Paris
Updated 31 Aug, 2016

ISLAMABAD: An Indian and Pakistani cuisine restaurant situated at the border between both the countries will showcase food at an international food event in Paris next month to denote peace.

The ‘Sarhad’ (border) restaurant ,located one kilometre from the Attari-Wagah joint checkpost between India and Pakistan, has been invited to the ‘Grand Fooding S. Pellegrino Plats’ to be organised on Sept 24 in Paris by Le Fooding, Khaleej Times reported.

The main building of Sarhad, built in the architectural style that you see in the walled cities of Lahore and Amritsar
The main building of Sarhad, built in the architectural style that you see in the walled cities of Lahore and Amritsar

“Sarhad promotes peace through food with its Amritsari-Lahori cuisine and culture and has been invited to participate in the world’s biggest food event in Paris,” said Aman Jaspal, the restaurant owner.

Aman and his wife Sameena will be serving the delicious Chicken biryani at the food festival.

“Sarhad is one of the 10 restaurants invited from across the world with a similar mission to use food as a medium for peace and reconciliation. Top international chefs and restaurateurs will present essential dishes from different countries that are in religious and cultural conflict with each other to unite through their shared gastronomy,” Aman said.

A mural depicting peace between India and Pakistan was painted by young boys and girls
A mural depicting peace between India and Pakistan was painted by young boys and girls

The theme of the food event is reconciliation and celebration of life and peace through food in view of the tragic terror strikes in Paris, Brussels and other places across the world.

The unique border restaurant ‘Sarhad’ showcases the architectural, cultural and culinary heritage of pre-partition Punjab in general, particularly Amritsar and Lahore.

The Lahori menu popular among the local residents and visitors at the restaurant includes Chapli Kebab, Nihari Ghost, Bannu Kebab, Fish Korma, Miyanji ki Dal and Bakarkhani Roti.

Lahore’s leading designer Ansa Zafar created furniture for Sarhad while Salahuddin Michu created ceramic jaali panels with exquisite motifs of the Lahore Fort and Indus Valley civilisation.

Displayed on the main entrance of Sarhad are a pair of vans, embellished with Pakistani truck art
Displayed on the main entrance of Sarhad are a pair of vans, embellished with Pakistani truck art

Pakistan’s most celebrated truck artist, Haider Ali, painted two Tata mini-trucks for the restaurant. These colourful trucks with the slogan “India-Pakistan Friendship Zindabad” boldly emblazoned on the bonnet have been parked at Sarhad and are a big attraction for the tourists.

Aman hopes that one day India and Pakistan could foster better ties through the gourmet route.


Originally published in Dawn, August 30th, 2016

Comments

ZAFAR Aug 31, 2016 11:54am
Kebab is arabic. Gosht and Korma are Indian dish from UP. Where is Lahori food? Lahori & Amritsari food are supposed to be the same.
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zakhta Aug 31, 2016 02:21pm
@ZAFAR Once you've tasted Pakistani food, you'll never complain the origin of their name. I have tasted Arabic and Indian food and didn't find their taste to be any close to Pakistani food. Even my Indian and Arab colleagues admits that Pakistani food tastes better than their food.
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Sheikh Aug 31, 2016 03:09pm
@ZAFAR I am not an expert, but for Lahori FOOD is enough, but GOOD food.
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zia Aug 31, 2016 08:18pm
how abt the location? can v visit the place
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Lakhkar Khan Aug 31, 2016 08:23pm
@ZAFAR Pakistani food has its own unique flavor. No matter Lahori, Karachite or Peshawari, the food is superior. Ask any Indian or Arab who tasted Pakistani food.
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Krish Chennai Sep 01, 2016 07:58am
@zakhta : Agree with you fully. The few times I went to Dubai, I used to hunt out Pakistani restaurants to have lunch or dinner, even though I am a vegetarian. Hope to have the opportunity one day to eat veg Pakistani food in restaurants in Pakistan, InshaAllah.
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TOMUHTO TAWMAYTO Sep 01, 2016 11:47am
@Lakhkar Khan Ok, so now it has boiled down to this....."my food is better than yours". Nice...
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sri1 Sep 01, 2016 01:04pm
@TOMUHTO TAWMAYTO "Ok, so now it has boiled down to this..... my food is better than yours" At least, there are some things left like the food and the graciousness of the common people. Indians should not grudge them those islands, because there may be truth there.
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SALEEM ULLAH JAN Sep 01, 2016 04:27pm
No doubt the reality is there that Pakistani foods taste is its own uniqueness , Currently i have worked out on our cultural cuisine , and found that most of our cultural foods have wonderful taste but they are not yet commercialized. i like this type of activity, sir, what is the procedure to attempt this festival
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Ehsan Sep 02, 2016 06:50pm
Is it on Pakistan side of the border?
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