Mumbai, 2 Aug 2024: The Heritage Project, an NGO seeded by the RPG Foundation, organized “Koli Fork-Lores,” a unique cooking contest that celebrated the rich culinary traditions of the Koli community within the city. This event, which took place at Dadar’s IHM Catering College on July 25, is part of the broader “Chefs of Koliwada” initiative, which aims to revive and preserve the cultural heritage of the Koli community.
The contest brought together 11 Women-led Self-Help Groups from Worli and Versova Koliwada. Each team is comprised of three talented women. These participants showcased their culinary skills by preparing traditional Koli dishes that reflect their rich cultural heritage.
The women cooked up some amazing delicacies, such as Koliwada Special Prawns Mango Gravy, Khajura Fish Fry, Stuffed Pomfret Fry, Ghosala-val bhaji, Samudra Methi bhaji, and more. Among the 11 groups, the competition was won by the group, named, Aai Jivadani.
The judging panel featured distinguished industry experts, including Aditi Duggar, founder of Masque; Sameer Seth, co-founder of The Bombay Canteen; and celebrity food writer and author Kunal Vijaykar. Amol Balkawade, head faculty at IHM Mumbai, and a Koli from Alibaug, with over 15 years of teaching experience, was also on the panel. Additional judges included Ms. Radha Goenka, Director of RPG Foundation, and Marathi actor Akshaya Naik, among others.
Their participation ensured a professional platform for the participants and a comprehensive assessment of their culinary skills.
“We are thrilled to support this initiative. Through ‘Koli Fork-Lores,’ we aim to highlight the exceptional culinary skills of Koliwada women and preserve and promote the rich cultural heritage of the Koli community. This event underscores our commitment to community empowerment and cultural preservation,” said Radha Goenka, Director of RPG Foundation.
“Koli Fork-Lores” was an exciting event that celebrated traditional Koli cuisine and fostered a sense of pride and unity within the Koli community.