Kollam: "Food can easily connect people" - this is the philosophy of celebrity chef Suresh Pillai as he organises a food festival at Nadakkavu in Chavara on Gandhi Jayanthi day for charity.
ome 3,000 foodies will be catered authentic Thalassery biriyani he prepares to aid the cochlear transplant of Sharath, a young man hailing from Chavara who lost hearing of both ears in an accident.
Mr Pillai, the BBC MasterChef fame, had also conducted several cooking-for-charity initiatives abroad including #CookForKerala campaign to aid the flood-hit state last year.
"The food festival has been planned to raise funds for his surgery that would cost some Rs 7 lakh," he told DC.
"We sold coupons for the food festival, some 1,000 numbers in just two weeks. Now the number of sold-out coupons for Rs 250 each has crossed 2,300. We expect some 3,000 people including walk-in customers. We have set another example of unity for charity."
S. Sharath, 23, hailing from Aikkara in Chavara South was a construction labourer. He fell from the top of a building while working there leading to complete damage to his ears.
The incident took place on April 20, 2016. Doctors have now suggested cochlear implantation to restore his hearing.
The food festival is a joint effort by residents of Thekkumbhagom in Chavara, the native place of Sharath. The raw materials for cooking and plantain leaves meant to pack food for delivery are being donated by the people.
The Thalasseri biriyani will have cucumber raita and elephant yam pickle as accompaniments. The food will be prepared in the traditional fireplace using wooden logs. The rice used will be Jeerakasala type from Wayanad, which also came as donations.
The programme to be commenced by 11 am on Wednesday will be inaugurated by eminent chef Lakshmi Nair at a makeshift arrangement made at Nadakkavu public market.
Mr Pillai, 41, of Phennikoppidel Veedu, Thekkumbhagom in Kollam is working as a corporate chef with the Raviz Group. He has worked in leading hotels in India and the UK and is a participant in the BBC's MasterChef show.
His campaign #CookForKerala called for homemakers and chefs across the globe to raise funds by setting up supper clubs and organising theme dinners at home and restaurants they work in.
