The Grub Fest, India’s largest food festival, made a grand return to Delhi at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. With an exciting blend of culinary delights and live entertainment, this year’s event offered food enthusiasts a memorable experience, celebrating the vibrant food culture of India, says SAKSHI PRIYA
Delhi was alive with excitement as it welcomed The Grub Fest, India’s largest food festival, back to the iconic Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. This year’s festival promised a vibrant celebration of culinary diversity, live entertainment and community spirit, creating an unforgettable experience for food enthusiasts and families alike.
Since its inception in 2015, The Grub Fest has evolved into a significant cultural phenomenon, expanding its reach across major cities, including Gurugram, Pune, Mumbai and Chandigarh. This year’s edition proved to be the most ambitious yet, featuring over 100 stalls showcasing a diverse range of flavours from local street food to gourmet delights. Renowned restaurants such as Indie QLA, Perilicious, and Leos Pizzeria participated, presenting an array of dishes that delighted the taste buds of festival-goers.
As attendees entered the festival grounds, they were enveloped in a magical atmosphere enhanced by stunning decor, cascading flowers, twinkling fairy lights and art installations inviting exploration and engagement. The vibrant layout of the stalls was complemented by intoxicating aromas wafting through the air, promising culinary adventures at every turn. Music played a vital role in the festival, with an impressive lineup of live performances that entertained the crowd. The rhythmic beats and melodic tunes encouraged festival-goers to dance and sing along, fully immersing themselves in the experience.
Families found ample opportunity to relax and bond in the dedicated Picnic Park, a serene space equipped with cozy seating and interactive games for children. Meanwhile, the Beer Garden catered to adults, providing a charming setting where craft beer enthusiasts could sip refreshing brews while enjoying the lively entertainment. The festival also featured themed booths and a Ferris wheel, ensuring there was no shortage of photo-worthy moments.
Aman Kumar, the visionary behind The Grub Fest, expressed his passion for curating exceptional experiences that celebrate the rich culinary heritage of Delhi. His commitment to showcasing the city’s diverse food culture was evident in the meticulous planning and execution of the event. The festival was not just a gathering; it was a celebration of the community, where people from all walks of life came together to savour, connect and enjoy.
In a noteworthy parallel to The Grub Fest, AVA Experience had taken place earlier at The Khyber Himalayan Resort & Spa in Gulmarg, Kashmir. Speaking about the vision for the event, Samir Sehgal, Co-Founder of AVA Experience, shared, "Our vision for AVA Experience is to redefine India's music festival landscape with house music in Kashmir, creating community-led experiences." The event aimed to offer a unique fusion of music and scenic beauty, setting a new benchmark for music festivals in India.
Both The Grub Fest and AVA Experience demonstrated a shift towards innovative and engaging events that went beyond traditional formats. They reflected a desire for meaningful experiences that resonated deeply with audiences, highlighting the power of food, music and community to create lasting memories.
As The Grub Fest unfolded in Delhi, attendees were treated to a weekend filled with an extraordinary array of flavours, live performances and vibrant interactions. This celebration showcased the best of India’s culinary scene and created a sense of unity and joy, reminding everyone of the simple pleasures of good food and shared moments. The event solidified its place as a hallmark of the city’s cultural calendar, setting the stage for future festivities that promise to delight and inspire.
