Srinagar, February 17: The Mirchi Food Festival, organized and hosted by Mirchi 98.3 FM, was a resounding success, attracting a large and diverse crowd over its three-day run from February 14th to 16th at centrally located, Sher-i-Kashmir Park in Srinagar.
The event brought together the finest cafes and restaurants from across the region, offering an unparalleled culinary experience to food lovers, families, and tourists. The festival featured over a dozen local food stalls, a variety of exhibitors, and family-friendly activities such as arcade games and a bouncy castle for kids. Live performances from Noor Mohammad and his team kept the crowd entertained throughout the weekend, creating an energetic and fun atmosphere for visitors of all ages.
The festival’s inauguration was a standout moment, emphasizing the significance of every individual and contributor within Kashmir’s food industry. The opening ceremony, attended by prominent chefs, street vendors, Wazwan chefs, food influencers, and key sponsors, celebrated the richness and diversity of Kashmir’s culinary scene. This collective effort highlighted the importance of the food industry in showcasing the best of Kashmir’s gastronomic heritage. The festival’s launch was not only a celebration of food but a moment to honour the region’s food culture and the people who bring it to life.
A major highlight of the event was the debut of Mirchi 98.3 FM’s new RJ, “Mirchi ka Rockstar” RJ Mehmood. His launch, amidst the vibrant energy of the festival, was a fitting addition to the event, making the occasion even more memorable. RJ Mehmood’s introduction added a lively element to the festival, and his connection with the audience further solidified the event as a cornerstone of entertainment in Srinagar.
RJ Mehmood will host the afternoon show at Radio Mirchi integrating his sensational talent of singing with a special penchant for entertaining the Kashmiri radio listeners via his specially curated content.
The festival’s strategic location in central Srinagar ensured that it attracted a large footfall, with thousands of visitors from across the city and beyond flocking to the event. The combination of great food, lively entertainment, and family-friendly attractions made the Mirchi Food Festival a must-visit event, earning it the title of one of the most anticipated events of the year.
Food stalls participating in the festival included Le Delice French Bakery, Black Bear Brew, Olives Garden and Grill, The French Talk, The Garage Cafe, Season 69, The Everest Kitchen, J Street, Wali’s Cafe, Hollywood Cafeteria, 14th Avenue Cafe and Grill, Beryl by Sizzling Bukhara, Curry Kettle, Spice and Scoops, Wazwan Hut, Coffee Hut Srinagar, Himalayan Products, Dry Fruit Haveli, and Jabsons Foods. In addition to food vendors, exhibitors from industries like Kashmiri Arts, Luxury Bags, Organic Skincare, Environmentally Friendly Skin Products, Cute Stationery Items, and Boutiques were also part of the event, including Unico, Emille.co, Glitter Exports, JD Boutique, and Zabarwan Gaming Zone.
The festival was presented by TCI Max Cement, driven by Arise Hyundai, and brought to you by Wallmax Home Furnishing and Decor. It was powered by Asawir Jewellers, with Qureshi Kabab Corner as a co-sponsor. The food partner was Aarafh Foods and Spices, with Kashmir Observer as the Print Partner, ANN News as the Broadcast Partner, and Spectrum Advertising Services as the Outdoor Partner.
RJ Mehmood said, “It’s always been my dream to entertain the audiences through my music and over the years I have received unconditional love for every performance of mine. However, I always felt I wanted to do more, engage with the audience, listen to their stories, and it was destined to happen in the shape of an RJ at 98.3 Mirchi. I am thankful to all my mentors at Mirchi, for taking my journey of being an intern to an RJ. I look forward to an entertaining Kashmiris every day with all heart and soul.”
Arvind Dhiman, Station Head of Mirchi Jammu and Kashmir thanked all the sponsors and said, “The event became a possibility with due efforts from each member involved, be it the sponsors, vendors and especially our team Mirchi, but most of all, I thank all the people of Kashmir who made it to the event. Afterall, it’s all about our audience. Whatever we do, we do it to entertain them.”
