Wagah ‘peace restaurant’ to showcase food in Paris

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.

“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.

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.

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