Chennai, 22 December (H.S.) : A grand food festival featuring signature dishes from across Tamil Nadu has commenced at Besant Nagar beach, organized by the Tamil Nadu Corporation for Development of Women. The event showcases the culinary expertise of various women self help groups who have set up stalls to offer iconic regional flavors.

Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin officially inaugurated the festival on Sunday, emphasizing that such initiatives are vital for strengthening the economic self reliance of women entrepreneurs. The festival will remain open to the public daily from twelve noon to nine pm until December 24.

Visitors can enjoy over two hundred and thirty five traditional food varieties prepared by groups from all thirty eight districts of the state. The menu includes famous items such as Ambur and Dindigul biryani, Virudhunagar parotta, Cuddalore fish puttu, and Kancheepuram temple idli.

Additionally, there are special stalls dedicated to palm based products, Chettinad snacks, and traditional delicacies from the nineties. To ensure a high quality experience for diners, all food items have been tested and cleared by the Food Safety department, maintaining strict hygiene protocols throughout the preparation process.

Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin stated that similar events have received an overwhelming response in other cities, with sales in Madurai alone reaching sixty two lakh rupees. He noted that the festival provides a safe and enjoyable space for families to dine together during the school holidays.

Authorities have also arranged various cultural programmes in the evenings to attract more visitors and celebrate the diverse heritage of the state. The event serves as a significant platform for women to demonstrate their entrepreneurial capabilities while providing the public with authentic tastes from every corner of Tamil Nadu.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Dr. R. B. Chaudhary