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Karachi Eat 2016: Here's your ultimate guide to the city's cult food festival

Karachi Eat 2016: Here's your ultimate guide to the city's cult food festival

Vendors from Burns Road will be setting up shop this year in addition to old faves like The Pantry and Hoagies returning
Updated 20 Jan, 2016

This weekend, from Friday to Sunday, Frere Hall will turn into a haven for the foodies of Karachi.

From gifted chefs making succulent gourmet burgers or choux pastry ball-laden Croquembouche to street vendors preparing scrumptious dhaga kebabs and gol gappas on the spot, Karachi Eat is a festival which celebrates the full diversity of food that the city of lights has to offer.

We get the scoop from Omar Omari of CKO Event Architecture, the brains behind the food shindig that has gained a cult-like following in just the two years it's been around. It's one of those rare events in the year we all look forward to.

What stalls will be returning and what's new in store?

Omari reveals that this time around, they have over 20 more stalls participating.

"Last year, we had around 70 stalls. This year, we're looking at 92. We actually had to turn people away because we knew it would get too cluttered and then the existing vendors may have also gone home unhappy because it'll cut into their business."

While we were hoping the nitrogen ice cream stall would return this year, it seems like that's not going to be happening.
While we were hoping the nitrogen ice cream stall would return this year, it seems like that's not going to be happening.

"Old favourites will be returning this year: The Pantry, Hoagies, Chapli Kebab House to name a few and of course, the much buzzed about Spoonful aka the strawberry samosa guys will also be joining us again but with different products this time."

It was here that we discovered the king of all classic burgers from The Pantry —Photo courtesy: Taahira Booya
It was here that we discovered the king of all classic burgers from The Pantry —Photo courtesy: Taahira Booya

These strawberry samosas are not to be taken lightly. People attended Karachi Lit Fest solely to go munch on these because they had run out at one point at Karachi Eat last year, leaving a lot of hungry attendees disappointed. In fact, this year, Spoonful is bringing two brand new products: Nutella Gol Guppay and Banberry Ice Cream Roll Ups to titillate taste-buds.

Omari acknowledges this: "We plan on imposing a fine on any stall that runs out of food. We don't want any foodies to go home disappointed that they didn't get to try something they had their heart set on so hopefully that won't happen this year."

The man behind Hoagies, Saiem Nasir divulges, "We'll definitely be prepping for more food since we kept running out last year!"

Another popular name from last time: Rayyan Durrani's Churros and Choc will also be coming back this year
Another popular name from last time: Rayyan Durrani's Churros and Choc will also be coming back this year

Rayyan Durrani of Churros and Choc recalls his experience from last year: "The rush was endless and the crowd was amazing! That being said, setting up a kitchen in the middle of a park to cook live for thousands of people each day is always a challenge. Despite all challenges, quality food remains our priority and to do that we have scaled up on our equipment and improved the cold chain to ensure that it is not compromised."

Omari also tell us that a lot of new vendors from Burnes Road will be joining in on the fun this year so expect lots of nihari, kulfi, rabri; the whole 9 yards of the Burns Road experience.

Desi Gali will be one of the 92 stalls at the festival this year, serving chaat and other yummy street food
Desi Gali will be one of the 92 stalls at the festival this year, serving chaat and other yummy street food

"This time around, we've reduced the number of home bakers and increased the number of street food vendors."

Last year, there was a 'Best Home Baker' competition
Last year, there was a 'Best Home Baker' competition

Learning from their mistakes

If you attended Karachi Eat last year, you know there were definitely some glitches in the system.

As mentioned earlier, some vendors ran out of food fairly early (and then there was Okra that didn't even manage to get prepped in time to serve on the first day!) and parking was a nightmare.

However, Omari reassures us they're on top of things and this year, we'll see a new and improved festival.

"We took away a lot of pointers from the last two years. We have a bigger lawn this year, we've booked empty plots around the venue, such as Faysal Bank's empty land across from Marriot, to facilitate some extra parking. We've also spoken to the Metropole Hotel so they'll be accommodating some vehicles. In addition to that, we've tripled our valet from last year so we're hoping it's smooth sailing for everyone attending."

He goes on to say they'll also be kicking off later this year.

"Last year, we opened doors around 10:30 am. This year, we'll start around noon. It's a 3 day event, vendors get tired and by the time the festival wraps up, it's late, so getting up early and setting up in time the next day becomes problematic. We've relaxed the timings a bit and also tried to make life easier for the restaurateurs."

Does the festival actually have real marketing value for these restaurants?

Nasir chimes in, "It definitely does help your brand. I believe there is a massive brand recall value with events like these. People were coming to Hoagies (on Saba Avenue) right after attending Karachi Eat last year. That was very humbling to see."

In a city where there is so much to grumble about, Karachi Eat gives people an opportunity to relax, spend the weekend soaking in the sun with family and friends, all the while enjoying some delicious grub. And it's the icing on the cake that this year, they'll have Fuzön taking over the music.


Tickets are available at the entrance gate for Rs. 250.

Comments

Asad Shairani Jan 19, 2016 11:52am
Looking forward to it!
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Salman T. Vohra Jan 19, 2016 12:10pm
Is there any entrance fee or everyone is welcomed ?
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Pakistan Zindabad Jan 19, 2016 12:10pm
Always feel happy to see lightings come back to KARACHI.
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Mahmood Jan 19, 2016 12:29pm
None look very appetizing . They clearly know nothing about the art of presentation!
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L.Ahmad Jan 19, 2016 12:47pm
Nothing wrong with the gastronomic food as long as your waistline does not expand which is the ultimate recipe for diabetes, heart problem & hypertension.
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FS Jan 19, 2016 12:56pm
I loved the KEF. The first one was an intimate gathering of like minded individual who wanted to celebrate flavours and tastes gathered, while the last one was a grand 'sponsored' carnival. The whole idea behind it had seemed to be to encourage local bakers, chefs and smaller restaurants by providing them with a platform where costumers are willing to be more daring. I am utterly disappointed to hear that the number of home bakers/ chefs is decreasing this year. If the festival is merely a street fair it has little to do with food tasting and is simply a money minting machine.
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Sajjad Khan Jan 19, 2016 03:06pm
@Pakistan Zindabad Rs. 250 However it should have been free.
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Sajjad Khan Jan 19, 2016 03:07pm
@Salman T. Vohra Rs. 250. However it should have been free
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Jawad , USA Jan 19, 2016 03:30pm
Karachi is the best for serving different varieties of food.
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waleed KARACHI Jan 19, 2016 03:52pm
If a middle class family has 3 children,they will have to pay 750 at the gate with the guardian makes 1000 rs....quite expensive.
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faryal Jan 19, 2016 03:52pm
kaash it would be free
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kuttathi Jan 20, 2016 01:04am
Except for the dessert, everything looks like non vegetarian.But the cakes looks yummy and artistic.
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ak4pk Jan 20, 2016 04:57am
@ L. Ahmad : well said mate, never ate that much fat and/or sugar but did indulge a bit, ended up with five bypasses and seven years later needed two stents in one of the grafts which had narrowed. Hope there are some healthy food stalls around as well.
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analyses Jan 20, 2016 10:07am
Can't be free. Last year even with Rs 250 ticket there was so much crowd that one had to park their cars kilometers away from the venue and then it was a hassle to go back home from the parking. Looked like half of Karachi visited there on weekends. If it's free then the whole of Karachi will come and it will be a huge mess.
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Rajesh Punjabi Jan 22, 2016 01:11pm
very sad, no option for pure vegetarians and vegan. Why management has arranged only meat?
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neera malik Jan 22, 2016 01:33pm
@Pakistan Zindabad It is mentioned at the bottom of the page that the Tickets cost 250/- and will be available at the entrance gate.
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azeem Jan 22, 2016 03:05pm
Is it for families only???????????
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