Date: 28 March 2019
Venue: Art Gallery of the Embassy of Peru, Vasant Vihar

Art Gallery of The Embassy of Peru carries an interesting collection of South American art, pottery and paintings.  We had attended the 1st anniversary of the Indo-Peruvian Friendship Association at this venue. This time we were invited to a more chilled out event – The Latin American and Caribbean food festival at this venue. The event was hosted by the Embassy of Peru in collaboration with the embassies of Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Mexico, Panama and Trinidad & Tobago.

Each of these countries had a separate table with unique items from their country.  At the beginning of the event, an incumbent from the embassy of the specific country, or the chef introduced the dishes that had been laid. It was an even balance between vegetarian and non-vegetarian fare. The items were unique to us, not something that we have had. Yet, there was a sense of familiarity that made the dining experience all the most exciting.

For instance, the chicken curry-roti combo from Guyana is quite like what we have here, but with new seasoning. The vegetarian flat bread and chickpea combination was a take on our chhole baturay – but many times tastier. We also loved the beautiful prawn cocktail dish served in scooped out avocados from Ecuador. They had some coconut based desserts on the table that resembled our coconut barfis and laddoos. The Mexican tacos stuffed with cheese in vegetarian style and chicken in the non-vegetarian were way more yum than what we have at Mexican restaurants in Delhi NCR. They also served some crystallised fruit on the side which made a lovely combo with the items on the table. In fact, there was a voting round among diners and Mexico won the award for tastiest food that evening.

Last but not the least, the chef on the Peru counter made the very tasty cocktail Pisco Sour in front of the guests. The beeline for that table made it apparent that this citrus yet sweet drink was a hit!

This collaboration by the embassies showed how well we stand if we are working together.  The diversity in the lifestyle of every race makes for great variety.  Yet, kudos to the sensitivity, they had perhaps brought such dishes that would sit on our Indian palette. If anything, this evening at the Art Gallery of Peru brought us closer to a host of cultures. In fact, the artwork currently on display here is water colour and pencil medium paintings by a couple where the wife is Peruvian and the husband – our desi boy.

We at Delhi-Fun-Dos have realised that celebrating our regional diversities (read quirks) breaks the monotony and make the proceedings so much more interesting and fun. For instance, our teamwork gets us opportunities to experience such unique gastronomic journeys like no other.  We stand humbled by the beautiful collaboration by the Embassy of Peru and the diplomatic missions of other Latin American countries in putting up such exceptional culinary harmony.