Indian Food Bazaar
Two cultures will combine this weekend when Glaswegians tuck into some spicy treats at the A listed former fish market the Briggait for the city’s first Indian Food Bazaar.
Glasgow is known as the curry capital of Scotland and is the home of the tikka masala which was created in the city.
Organiser Paul Sweeney with his business partner restaurateur Navi Basi will be show casing the best India has to offer with kitchens providing 36 dishes.
He said: “Nav will provide people with authentic Indian dishes. There will be no nan bread or pakora as these are British inventions.”
“Authenticity is everything, for example an authentic vindaloo does not burn your lips off. That too was a British invention.”
Nav Basi has more than 10 years experience running two Candleriggs curry houses, the North Indian restaurant Dhabba and Dakhin, one of Glasgow’s very few restaurants specialising in South Indian cuisine with everything gluten free.
The pair operating under the brand of Bapu Events, which means father in Indian, plan to bring authentic dishes to around 4000 people over two days.
The iconic East end setting has been chosen to host the event which will run over Saturday and Sunday providing an abundance of drinks, including craft beers and specially created cocktails and mocktails, and entertainment including belly dancing and sitar playing.
Kids can get their hands dirty face painting and screen printing, and there will also be free yoga sessions for all ages, and market stalls to browse.
The former fish market described by Historic Scotland as “One of Scotland’s most important collection of market stalls,” has medieval links and sits on the banks of the Clyde. Following a spell as an under used shopping centre, the Briggait is enjoying a reincarnation as a hospitality hub.
At the event six stalls will offer up six dishes each, representing each Indian food region.
“We will be taking people on a culinary journey through Indian regional cuisine,” adds Sweeney.
“The emphasis will be on small dishes. Glasgow has an excellent culinary pedigree and champions Indian food in the same way Italy does with the café culture.
“You can find the best of everything in Glasgow and curry is definitely one of the amazing offerings from the city.
“We will be offering dishes you have heard of before, and some you haven’t.”
Dosa a particularly popular speciality at Dakhin are small crepes filled with meat or vegetables in various flavours.
“We will be providing festival goers with Scottish Rupees, essentially a voucher system to allow speed of service and avoid long queues.”
“We are not showing the World Cup final – this will be a nice antidote, we will be a football free zone for those who want to do something else. We are aiming for a submersive experience with Scottish and Indian brands in our market stalls.”
Indian Food Bazaar, 14-15 July, Briggait, Glasgow, admission free. Doors open at noon until 10pm. Children welcome until 8pm
Leave a Reply