November 18, 2014:

 

Goa ForGiving in association with the CCP is organising a Food, Music & Art Festival on the 9th, 10th & 11th of January 2015; “Taste of Goa” which will be held as part of the New Year 2015 celebrations. UK-based celebrity chef and TV show host Cyrus Todiwala along with a team of 4 acclaimed British chefs will present Goan and International cuisine at the event. The three day event will also feature traditional Goan folklore, dance, music and showcase sights, sounds and flavors of Goa.

A press conference was held yesterday to discuss the same at the Gonsalves Mansion. The conference was addressed by Armando Gonsalves, Chairman Goa ForGiving Trust; Liz Gracias, Festival Director; Francisco Martins, Goa's Entertainment King and Chef Vasco Alvares, owner of the famous "Vasquit". 

 

Armando Gonsalves, Chairman Goa ForGiving Trust stated “it is a good thing that it is a bad year for tourism, for a simple reason that this gives Goa an opportunity of changing the axis on which tourism rests”.  He also said that a large number of restaurants will be participating who will be coming up with their own specialty menu for the three days.

 

Goa’s Entertainment king, Mr. Francisco Martins spoke on the set up of the Festival which will be designed by him. He said it will be somewhat like the set up at the samba square which takes place during Carnival, but this will be more related to food.

 

Speaking on the Chefs’ Forum, Vasco Alvares owner of the famous “Vasquito” food joint said, “ with the 5 celebrity chefs coming down to showcase their local cuisine, it will also be an opportunity for our Goan chefs to present our Goan cuisine. It will be a good platform for Goa to promote its local Cuisine as this festival will be marketed at an International level”. 

 

Also speaking on the Chefs’ Forum, Mr. Armando said that it we encourage the Goan housewives too, to come forward and learn the tricks of the trade, and maybe teach the International culinary artists some things of Goan food as well.

 

Festival Director, Ms. Liz Gracias said, this festival also gives an opportunity to Goan artists to come forward and showcase their art, and even the craftsmen and artisans, who will showcase their work on ground at the festival.

Partners to the event are planet goa magazine; Sheraton Hotel, London & Churchill China Crockery.