As a nation, we’re foodies by nature, which is why an idea like Karachi Eat – the original food festival that launched a thousand similar ideas – has been working so well. This weekend, Karachi Eat shifted venue once again; it parked itself at the mammoth Beach Park and played host to around 90 stalls.
The festival brought around 90 stalls with customized menus to the city that plays ‘foodie’ as a favourite pastime.
As a nation, we’re foodies by nature, which is why an idea like Karachi Eat – the original food festival that launched a thousand similar ideas – has been working so well. This weekend, Karachi Eat shifted venue once again; it parked itself at the mammoth Beach Park and played host to around 90 stalls. The footfall, according to organisers, was approximately between 200,000 – 250,000 people over three days, which means around 40 per cent more than last year. I have to say – having spent a couple of hours there on Sunday – that it was well managed and an afternoon well spent.
Here’s what’ll have us waiting for Karachi Eat 2020… more of all this, please!
1. KE customized food
It was a great idea to have every food stall introduce one or more customized dishes – exclusively for the festival. In previous years we had noticed that there were too many commercial shops, with menus that were easily available round the year. To have them at the festival, without any added attraction, made no sense. Things were different this time. Attractions like the Disco Khakra at Desi Gali, the Hunter Beef Bun at Shrooms (endless lines for this one, and only one order per person was being served) and so many more irresistible delights made this list. And they made the Karachi Eat experience totally worth it.
2. Hygiene and cleanliness
The entire festival was dotted with garbage bins, ensuring people did not litter. Whether they are inspired enough to take this away and incorporate cleanliness into their civic duties is not the festival’s responsibility; KE played its part. I personally also loved the Safeguard water boys, carrying portable sinks and assisting people in hand-washing. There were over a dozen of these Safeguard peddlers – maybe not enough – but very welcome nevertheless. I also noticed random hand-washing areas here and there. And one of my colleagues who took a trip to the bathroom – I wasn’t so brave – said the four portable toilets for ladies were “dirty, of course, but bearable.” I’m sure there were more; if not, there should be.
3. The overall sense of community and happiness
Most important was the sense of community and festivity that Karachi Eat brought to the city. Barring aggressive stags who tried to nudge their way in (mostly unsuccessfully) as it was a family only event, people could be seen in a happy, positive space. Many single men were seen complaining at the venue and on social media and while I understand their frustration and it is unfair on principle, men have brought it upon themselves, I feel. It is more important for women to feel safe. I saw several senior citizens on wheelchairs, children in prams and push chairs and I agree that the floor wasn’t the flattest or smoothest, but it did the job. As a city, Karachi doesn’t have too many open spaces that can serve as an ideal venue. Until a ‘Malik Riaz’ decides to invest in a state of the art festival space or park, makeshift spaces will have to do.
There were, however, some shortcomings, that need to be addressed and topping that list was Parking. Hundreds of cars lined the main road outside the park but we had to park in the parking lot adjacent to the venue. That space in a land-fill or at least it looks like one because it is a pile of garbage, literally. We had to trek over – what felt like tons of fossilized garbage – to get to and back from the festival; I wish I had taken a mask. It was uneven, extremely dusty but that’s not the worst part. There were huge pits in the parking area, almost craters, that posed a huge safety threat especially after dusk. And there was no signage that guided cars in and out; we drove around, avoiding the pits until we started following a row of vehicles that appeared to know its way around.
Second, I feel an option of small sized or half portions should have been offered. I realize it would be complicated to manage but then I saw people throwing away left over food and agreed with most visitors who wanted to taste smaller portions of a larger variety of food.
Other than these few weak points, the festival was another memorable experience. Karachi Eat will continue to be on a learning curve, until it comes full circle, but it’s definitely on the right path. Here’s to next year and more food!
