Popular food delivery app Zomato has launched a campaign to honour the city's iconic street food vendors to celebrate Kolkata's rich culinary heritage, which is usually under the spotlight during Durga Puja. The initiative aims to pay tribute to the often-overlooked local food sellers that contribute to the vibrant street food culture, especially during the festive season when Kolkata’s streets are bustling with locals and tourists.
Many of these beloved vendors have yet to be discovered on platforms like Zomato. To spotlight them, Zomato has creatively showcased a 300-meter-long Alpana, a traditional Bengali folk art, at Street Number 104, Action Area 1B, Newtown, Kolkata (700156). This artwork symbolizes the city’s cultural essence and emphasizes the celebration of Kolkata’s street food vendors, whose culinary creations are integral to the Durga Puja experience.
The campaign was made in collaboration with local artisans, the meticulously crafted artwork highlights the names and locations of some of Kolkata’s most renowned street food vendors, offering food lovers a guide to discover and enjoy their delicious treats. This not only enhances the city’s festive atmosphere but also honours the legacy of Kolkata’s street food icons.
“This campaign is our tribute to Kolkata’s iconic street vendors who are not necessarily on the Zomato platform at the moment but are a key part of the city’s cultural fabric,” said Sahibjeet Singh, marketing head, of Zomato.
Some of the popular vendors featured in the campaign are New Alipore's Anamika Roll, Dhakuria's Rajendra Phuchka, Vardaan Market's Chauhan Victoria Vada, Dacres Lane's Arun Da Joy Ma Tara Hotel and a few more. The campaign impressed local foodies as many took to social media to share their thoughts.
"Wow Kolkata hasn’t changed one bit since I was there around 20 years ago,' wrote a netizen. "Probably the best ad I've seen come out of the city (lowkey praying it was from a cal agency)" a user commented on the video. "Capturing the essence of Pujo!" another user wrote.