Fusion treats, international delicacies and more: Here are the rising food trends in Kolkata for Diwali parties this year

Be it a card party or a small puja, no one likes to get into the hassle of cooking at home during the festive season. As Kolkata gears up to celebrate Diwali with parties at home and resto-pubs, we speak to caterers to know about food trends that are dominating festive catering this season.

Exotic, global cuisine
Kolkata’s taken to exotic dishes and cuisines. Shiladitya Chaudhury, co-founder and director, Platter Outdoors, says, “There’s demand for exotic kebabs and European winter dishes like herb-crusted & stuffed Kolkata bhetki.” Talking about the demand for global cusine, Rajeev Chaudhury, senior manager sales, Savouries Hospitality said, “There’s demand for variety like Mediterranean and Mongolian cuisine with live counters.”

Dinner party musts

“When people get together, they prefer handcrafted cocktails and an international menu. Regional Indian cuisine has also seen an uptick,” said Monojit Roy, head of operations, ROOTS. Snacks are a must. Sudhir Singha, senior F&B manager, Romaania said, “People prefer finger food so we pair a green-gram pancake, with a phuchka pataka shot for them”

Some street food flavours, please
Kolkata’s love for street food spills over to house parties too. “This time the focus is on street-food-themed fusion items and Indian sweets,” said Anirudh Poddar, co-founder, Chai Break. Vidisha Bathwal, founder of Paprika Gourmet said, “Live stations with a revamped look and feel are in. So we’re doing recipes with unexplored ingredients like charcoal papri chaat.”

Platters & fusion dishes for the win

“From global menus to fusion food, party hoppers go big on both,” says Prosen Mondal, head of operations, Refinery 091. Parties always call for easy shareable bites. Roshni R Sood, executive chef for Poach and Marbella’s, says, “Cheese platters, chaat boards, tandoor and BBQ dishes are trending this season.”

Regional & global dishes on the same menus provide variety. Kashmiri delicacies like Gustaba & Rogan josh are also popular
– Sudipto Karmakar, founder and MD,
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