Kebab festival in Lucknow

     Lucknow: People in Lucknow savoured variety of kebabs during the ten-day "Kebab Festival" which concluded in this city of Nawabs on Sunday. Jointly organised by the state government and the state tourism department, the food festival aimed at promoting tourism in the state. Kebabs are normally a non-vegetarian dish, but organisers of the event made sure the vegetarians were not left out. Besides 17 non-vegetarian varieties of kebabs, six vegetarian varieties were also served. The aroma and mouth-watering variety of kebabs were a temptation not many could resist. "This is a traditional kebab festival. This is very famous all over India. Whoever come to this festival, likes to taste this kebab," said Surender, a customer. The 100- year old "Tundey ke Kebabs" is the most famous outlet in Lucknow for the choicest kebabs even today. Mohammad Rijwan, owner of Tundey ke Kebabs, said the flavour of select spices adds to the flavour of their Kebabs. "We use special spices to prepare these kebabs. My grandfather Wajid Ali Shah was the cook. We have the same formula. People come from all over the world to taste these kebabs," he added. Lucknow is famous for its wide range of kebabs with Galawat ke Kebabs, Shami Kebabs, Boti Kebabs, Patili ke Kebabs, Ghutwa Kebabs and Shish Kebabs being among the exotic varieties. Kebab, originally part of the Moghul cuisine, has come to become an integral part of the Indian menu.
-Dec 5, 2004