The Corporation of the City of Panaji has partnered with FIERCE Kitchens, India’s First Culinary Incubator based in Goa, to create ‘The Beach Carnival’ – a dedicated zone for local culinary entrepreneurs or ‘foodpreneurs’ at the new renovated walkway along the Miramar beach
Goa’s well-known annual carnival parade is looking to acquire the prestigious UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN). It plans to have its first-ever beach carnival, scheduled for later this month. Panaji Corporation Commissioner, Agnelo Fernandes was quoted saying that “the Beach Carnival’ will focus on a bouquet of culinary experiences and help put local ‘foodpreneurs’ on the map.
“The Corporation of the City of Panaji has partnered with FIERCE Kitchens, India’s First Culinary Incubator based in Goa, to create ‘The Beach Carnival’ – a dedicated zone for local culinary entrepreneurs or ‘foodpreneurs’ at the new renovated walkway along the Miramar beach.
The carnival will showcase local entrepreneurs who can put up their culinary creations at the venue. The Beach Carnival will also highlight individuals who have turned foodentrepreneurs with their small scale food and beverage businesses during the pandemic. “The pandemic has been tough on many. During the pandemic many people have turned into foodpreneurs, opening small-scale, at-home’ businesses offering a variety of food. These ventures are largely driven by passion. We have decided to put the spotlight on foodpreneurs this year in an effort by the city to encourage them and offer the foodpreneurs a platform to showcase their creations,” Fernandes added.
“On behalf of the city of Panaji and with the support and expertise of FIERCE Kitchens and us at AICGIM, we are keen to nominate the city of Panaji as one of the creative cities in the gastronomy sector of ‘UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN)’. The Beach Carnival is the first step in that direction.
— Rajesh Joshi, CEO of AICGIM
Goa’s colourful carnival processions are normally held in February before the holy season of Lent, when the devout fast. However, the week before Lent, Goa celebrates ‘one last shot at having fun’ before meat and liquor is shunned as part of a 40-day period of religious penitence. Lent concludes with the celebration of Easter.
The beach carnival will showcase the culture and heritage, as well as the hospitality that Goa is famous for. Home cooks, women micro entrepreneurs, pastry and bakery enthusiasts and others in the culinary ecosystem will be given a platform to showcase their cooking talent.
While carnival parades are normally held in the major cities in Goa, this will the first time in recent history that the state capital will have a beach carnival event, apart from the usual float parade which is cheered by thousands of onlookers every year.
“On behalf of the city of Panaji and with the support and expertise of FIERCE Kitchens and us at AICGIM, we are keen to nominate the city of Panaji as one of the creative cities in the gastronomy sector of ‘UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN)’. The Beach Carnival is the first step in that direction,” said Rajesh Joshi, CEO of AICGIM.
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