Delicious Pilaf Festival for food lovers

By Azernews

By Laman Ismayilova

A festive dining table is a fantastic way to get into spring holiday spirit

National sweets, shekerbura, pakhlava, badambura are lovely sweets that melt in the mouth.

But the main dish is a festive pilaf. Azerbaijani cuisine has hundreds of different types of pilaf, each unique in its own way. There are many different recipes of pilaf.

Anyway, lovely Azerbaijani pilaf will never leave anyone indifferent. 

Baku Tourism Vocational School has hosted Pilaf Festival in order to show dishes rich flavor and the way the pilaf is being cooked in country's different regions.

The event caught great interest of the public. Mouth watering flavors filled the hall where twenty various types of pilaf were presented to visitors.

"Shah pilaf", "Pilaf Arishta", "Lavangi Pilaf" "Pilaf Mardi", "Gusu Pilaf" and delighted everyone.

Minister of Culture and Tourism Abulfas Garayev was also among the guests to the delicious festival.

Dressed in national costumes, Vocational School`s students told visitors about dishes served at the event.

Addressing the event, head of Baku Tourism Vocational School Nilufer Karimov stressed that Pilaf Festival was held in Baku for the second time. It was also stressed that Azerbaijani national cuisine is rich and varied. The "King" of the national cuisine is generally rice, and there are many different recipes to cook it.

In his speech, Abulfaz Garayev stressed the festival was timed to the eve of Novruz holiday.

At the festival, guests were also informed about customs and traditions of the country's regions.

Each country has its signature dish and every guest of Azerbaijan knows that here it is a spicy pilaf. Pilaf is the final savoury dish at wedding feasts. 

The pilaf is usually served on its own dish or plate, with sauces or stews served in separate bowls. Qazmaq, a crust made at the bottom of the pan when the rice is steamed, is highly prized and is served in pieces with the rice or on a separate plate.