Chef Manohar spices up Jhalmuri fever in city

Nagpur: Chef Vishnu Manohar brought the streets of Kolkata alive in Nagpur on Saturday as he prepared the age-old Jhalmuri. The Bengali snack has been the buzz of the town after Prime Minister Narendra Modi was seen relishing it during a campaign ahead of the West Bengal state polls. Over 2500 people gathered on Saturday at Vishnu Ji Ki Rasoi for the massive feat. The event was inaugurated by newly elected MLC Sanjay Bhende, along with former MP Ajay Sancheti and senior BJP leader and former MLC Girish Vyas. Citizens queued up in large numbers to taste the authentic Bengali-style Jhalmuri personally prepared by Manohar.Prepared using 16 ingredients including puffed rice, peanuts, chickpeas, boiled potatoes, onions, tomatoes and a traditional Bengali spicemix prepared by Manohar's disciple chef Rushikesh, the snack filled the premises with its distinct aroma and festive energy. Manohar also drew cheers from the crowd with his spirited appeal urging people to forget pizzas and burgers and embrace nutritious Indian street food.Speaking to the TOI, 14 year old Mumbai resident Adwaith Mahajan who tasted Jhalmuri for the first time, said that he has now fallen in love with it. Mangala Deshpande, a 65-year-old resident of Nagpur, noted that she initially anticipated a high turnout which would prevent her from trying the delicacy, but was surprised to know that there was plenty for all.