This weekend, park yourself in Lower Parel and savour street-eats at the first food truck fest Mumbai will host event
Mumbai: IF YOU happen to drop by High Street Phoenix at Lower Parel over the coming week-end, you’d be forgiven for believing that you are part of the TV show, Eat Street. Like the popular series, where host James Cunningham tucks into yummy fare from restaurant-on-wheels, you, too, can savour street eats from over 10 food trucks parked in the mall’s courtyard. They’ll be part of Food Truck Square, touted as the city’s first food truck festival.
The two-day event has been co-curated by Ashish Sajnani of Opa Hospitality (that owns Bombay Food Truck) and Ronak Rajani of Mumbai Foodie. Both are the founding members of The Food Truck Association (TFTA).
What’s on offer?
From Mexican and Lebanese eats to American gourmet sandwiches, global fusion fare, healthy salads, smoothies, cookies and ice creams, there’s lots to try at the fest. While Bombay Food Truck and Supper Hero’s will rustle up fusion eats, Lalit Food Truck will serve Mexican dishes like burritos and tacos. You can enjoy meals-on-the-go like Salami Pay and Kheema Pay from FoGo and healthy salads from Paninaro or wash down sandwiches and falafels from Yummy Meals or Czar, with shakes from Avni & Myra’s Kitchen.
While the cutesy Sweetish House Mafia car will make an appearance with cookies and desserts, the Snow Birds ice cream van will help you cool off in the sun. “We’ve tried to make the festival as authentic as possible. Each of the participating trucks will preprep their sauces from respective central kitchens and heat, grill, fry or assemble and serve fresh at the venue,” says Sajnani.
Drive the dream
Starting a food truck in the city poses a huge challenge for restaurateurs. “We’re still trying to figure out the licenses required. The biggest issue is no clear legislation. Hence, there is no specific way forward or a regulation system to deal with a food truck in Mumbai,” informs Sajnani.
The festival will be a platform to garner support from patrons. “We will create an appeal board where guests can pledge their support or voice their concerns via Yay’ or ‘Nay’ columns in order to expedite legislation regarding food trucks in our city,” adds Rajani. A live graffiti art event and FA Cup Match showcase will also be part of the festival.
ON May 20 (12 noon to 10 pm) and 21 (12 noon to 12 am)
AT Courtyard, High Street Phoenix, Lower Parel.
ENTRY Free RSVP www.insider.in