Good food: Britain’s master chefs make their way to Karachi

The festival aims to strengthen the ties between the UK and Pakistan

KARACHI: Around 200 people from the business, fashion and food industry got a taste of some of Great Britain’s delicious pea soup with Cheddar sables, roast sirloin of beef with horseradish and rounded this meal off with a bowl full of bread and butter pudding at the British High Commission on Monday evening.

They had been invited to attend the inauguration of ‘Food is Great’, a three-day food festival held by the high commission in partnership with Marriott Hotel. The aim of this festival is to introduce Pakistani foodies to traditional British cuisine.



“I am aware of how important good food is to the Pakistani people,” said the British deputy high commissioner Karachi, John A Tucknot MBE. “The United Kingdom has embraced different cultures and traditions from across the world. This festival will strengthen the ties between the two countries.”

The star of the night was a cold Cod with chopped vegetables. “British cuisine is simple and less spicy compared to Pakistani food,” said Chef Gulzar, while talking to The Express Tribune. “Cinnamon is a common ingredient used in both the Pakistani and English desserts, while the stew is a dish made in both the countries in a similar manner.”

The executive head chef of the Marriot in Leeds, UK, Christopher Ireland prepared smoked Scottish salmon with a fresh dressing of lemon, cucumbers and radishes in a live demonstation.

He also shared his special recipe of bread and butter pudding, a classic English dessert prepared with fresh eggs, cream, milk and marmalade.

As the guests enjoyed their feast, British musicians Simon Thacker and Sarvar Sabri, performed in the background.

The duo is known for their Western classical music and have performed at some of the most prestigious venues in the UK such as the Glasgow Jazz Festival and Cheltenham Music Festival.

On Thursday, the festival will be held in the federal capital. It will continue till January 16.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 14^th, 2015.