‘Swadish Food Festival’ to bring flavourful cuisines, highlight small businesses

The Swadish International Food Festival is set to return this weekend, bringing a blend of international cuisines, local favourites and family-friendly entertainment.

The event hosted by the Indian Commemoration Trust will be held at the Monument Garden at Camp and Church Streets. Gavin Ramnarine, a representative of the Commemoration Trust said this year’s event will feature a diverse lineup of vendors, with a strong focus on supporting small businesses.

Ramnarine said the event will have international flavours for persons to experience.

“We have an actual French bakery, baking croissants and all the fancy French Pastries, over the last few years, Guyana used to be pretty bland but we’ve changed dramatically over the years so now you see all these different kinds of restaurants,” Ramnarine said.

He said the evolving food industry in Guyana has paved the way for persons to explore newer international cuisines. As such, the Trust hopes to provide patrons with foods from local small businesses that offer unique Guyanese cuisines as well as other international foods. He said one of the businesses, Puri Gal, will be coming from Enmore.

Some of the Guyanese dishes include pepperpot and curries, as well as Caribbean favourites like doubles. The activities commence at 14:00hrs and admission is $1,000. Ramnarine said the Trust starting planning this event two months prior to ensure that the small businesses participating can be adequately prepared to deliver. Notably, the Trust has managed the Garden through donations from members and events such as this. He encouraged persons to support.

“It’s an ideal time to bring the children to try new things,” he said.

Ramnarine further said the festival creates an opportunity for people to try something new. He said foods like sushi will be freshly made at the event.

“Bringing Guyanese together with their favourite thing, food. If it’s one thing that unites people, its food and music,” he said.

Adding to the lineup of activities, Ramnarine said face painting will also be available. He encouraged persons to take their children to the event to introduce them to international cuisines.