Known as the biggest celebration of all things Kerala, Keraleeyam is a festival organised by the Government of Kerala to present the cultural heritage and progress of the South Indian state to the world. To be held from November 1 to November 7, 2023 across 40 venues around the state, a key feature of the fest will be the Keraleeyam Food Festival. In a recent press conference by the Minister of Food and Civil Supplies, G.R. Anil, details of the event were revealed.
The minister described that the week-long Keraleeyam Food Festival is going to be held across 11 venues of Thiruvananthapuram from Manaveeyam Vidhi to East Fort and will feature 2,000 Kerala cuisine dishes prepared by 500 Malayali food experts and chefs. To describe these dishes and familiarise people with them, the organisers will also release a big menu card which will also be a collectible item.
Video Credit: YouTube/Hebbars Kitchen
The press conference revealed that around 150 stalls with all types of Kerala cuisine dishes will be set up. While some of these stalls will be run by chefs cooking dishes with five-star standards, most of the stalls will be run by small, local and successful food entrepreneurs. The Schedules Tribe Development department, Fisheries department, Dairy Development department, Kudumbashree department and other government agencies will also take part in the event.
Now, if you are wondering which dishes will be featured at the week-long Keraleeyam Food Festival, then you should know that dishes offered in Thattukadas or small roadside eateries will also be available. Of the traditional Kerala cuisine dishes, 10 dishes like Ramassery Idli, Vanasundari Chicken, Puttu and Kadala Curry, Kuttanadan Pearl Sport Fish, etc will be showcased especially at the festival. Videos revealing each dish’s history and cooking method will also be presented at the event.
Thiruvananthapuram’s Manaveeyam Vidhi area will also feature dishes like Pazhankanji and dried fish, while Urumbu Chammanthi and tuber dishes will be the highlight in the University College area. If you want to relish street foods of Kerala, then the street food festival from University College to Vancross Junction is a must at night. Renowned chefs like Chef Pillai, Abida Rasheed, Firoz Chuttipara, Pazhayidam Mohanan Namboodiri and Kishore will also grace a special event at Sooryakanthi from November 2 onwards. Food vloggers and influencers will also attend the event and feature as brand ambassadors.
Here are all the key venues in Thiruvananthapuram where the Keraleeyam Food Festival will be held.
Kanakakkunnu: Branded foods by the state government; Malayali kitchen (Kudumbashree food festival)
Manaveeyam Veedhi: Nostalgia
LMS Compound: Pets food festival; Seafood festival
University College: Milk and chocolate festival; Ethnic food festival
Central Stadium: Five-star hotel food festival Putharikandam maithanam: Taste of Kerala
Spencer Junction to Vanross Junction: Street food festival