Celebrity chef drops in at Organic Diwali Farmers Fest

AMRITSAR: Chef Vikas Khanna was a surprise visitor to the Organic Diwali Farmers Fest in Amritsar today. Upon landing at the airport, when told about the event, he headed straight to participate at the fest and stayed on for nearly one hour regaling visitors, farmers and especially the young ladies at the marketplace.

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, October 29

Chef Vikas Khanna was a surprise visitor to the Organic Diwali Farmers Fest in Amritsar today. Upon landing at the airport, when told about the event, he headed straight to participate at the fest and stayed on for nearly one hour regaling visitors, farmers and especially the young ladies at the marketplace.

“A divine effort has been made in my city and I am delighted to have witnessed it,” he said while checking out the organic vegetables and fresh farm produce at the fest. He tasted salted ‘chhaach’ made from cow’s milk, appreciated the excellent Himalayan honey and the seeds at the Earth store. He said that the roasted seeds reminded him of the “Char Magaz”, which was a nutritious diet of the times.

The marketplace today has a potter spinning out fresh diyas for Diwali, along with other clay and terracotta products. Exotic vegetables such as broccoli, red and yellow capsicums, delicious and golden variety apples, as well as fresh kiwi from farms were bew additions to the Fest.

A separate Earth Store set up for the purpose had mosquito repellants, remedies for cockroaches and ants, germ free potions for mobile hand phones, laptops and computers as well as health products made from chemical free natural oils, totally safe for skin and inhalation and were a craze among visitors. Youth Teams from Khalsa College of Management & Technology as well as from Shahzada Nand College volunteered to ensure the success of the program. School children from Millennium School participated fully in the stalls and assistance of visitors in particular.

Gunbir Singh, President, Dilbir Foundation & chair EcoAmritsar said, “The encouraging response of the citizens to pure food is heartening. But, most satisfying is the excitement in the farm circles about a growing demand for natural produce, and more and more farmers are now willing to shun chemicals and get into the pure foods movement. We will ensure this platform every Sunday for them to interact with the citizens who yearn for non toxic food for their families.”