sri lankan fish curry | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
At the Sri Lankan Food Festival in Bengaluru, food writer Priya Bala invites you to join her on a culinary journey through the flavors of your childhood. After spending her formative years in Colombo, Bala was immersed in the city’s rich and diverse food culture and it was here that her lifelong passion for food began. Born into a family with a deep love for food, she spent hours in the kitchen with her mother, learning the art of preparing traditional Sri Lankan dishes.
“I grew up in a foodie family. It was the center of our everyday joys, gatherings, rituals and festivities,” says Bala. “My mother was a tireless and passionate cook. I started cooking at the age of eight.”
The festival celebrates the flavors of the tropical island nation and showcases a variety of dishes from spicy fish curries to sweet desserts. Bala will be at the forefront of introducing the Live Cooking Station with Hot Hoppers. Kothu, Sambal, Vatalappaneven more.
As a food writer exposed to a vast culinary landscape, Bala is driven by her love for food and its connection to culture. He believes that cooking and eating is not just about sustenance, but a way of understanding a place and its people.
Priya Bala | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
When it comes to creating the menu, Bala’s principle is simple, she explains. “I emphasize on using the freshest ingredients and letting them shine. I am also a minimalist. Whether it is the number of dishes, courses or portion sizes, I believe less is more.
At the festival, the menu is put together to showcase the country’s diverse cuisine; They offer diners a taste of Sri Lankan finger foods such as fish cutlets, served alongside everyday dishes such as traditional fish curry Appamand festive dishes such as rice cooked in coconut milk and spices.
The Sri Lankan Food Festival is taking place at Hotel Royal Orchid till Sunday, February 12. The price is ₹1,600.