Those of you who can’t remember what’s on 1st May, let me remind you all that it is Maharashtra day – the day in 1960 when our state attained recognition. Celebrated for 50 years now, this day holds a special place in every Maharashtrian’s heart. The state of Bombay was divided into Gujarat and Maharashtra and since then Maharashtra has trudged along to scale new heights in every prospect. Be it economic upscale, population burst or political thresholds, the state has acquired glory.
But this time around, 1st May won’t just induce a sense of patriotic pride for the state. It will also induce a sense of gastronomy. Yes, Bombay Times is organizing the ‘Pav Wow’ Contest in Mumbai. Various joints and eateries across Mumbai will compete for the title of ‘Best Vada Pav’ and ‘Best Pav Bhaji’ awards. The contest has caught the eye of many famous joints such as Swati Snacks and Sardar Pav Bhaji in Tardeo, Canon Restaurant in CST and the likes when we talk about Pav Bhaji. The best Vada Pav award has many takers, some vying for the top place are Ladoo Samrat, Jumbo King, etc.
The Vada Pav has grown from being just the poor man’s food to a breakfast and quick eat item that features on the menus in New York and Canada. The seemingly simple snack has a delicious bite to it. Hell, people swear by it simply because it’s worth it! The soft potato Vada encased between two sides of a freshly baked pav, a generous dollop of chutney and chilies inside makes your head spin in amazement. Don’t make the mistake of underestimating the ‘Pav’er of the Vada Pav!
Let’s move on from the celebrated Vada Pav to the Pav Bhaji now. Pav Bhaji is all but a simple dish. The Bhajji in essence is made of potatoes and tomatoes mashed together with a whole lot of masalas and spices. Served with a couple of butter-laden, well toasted Pavs, this dish quickly fills up any hungry stomach. Just a light sprinkle of chopped onions and a nice squeeze of a lemon from top, the Pav Bhaji makes taste buds tingle with excitement. You must have experienced it yourself – just walk past a restaurant making Pav Bhaji and you will feel the pangs of hunger over take you. It so happen with me that I cant resist the wonderful smell of a piping hot Pav Bhaji. I just have to land my hands on a plate, whether or not my stomach is empty.
The Pav Wow contest winners will be decided by a jury of chefs, celebrities and others who hold these two dishes in high regard. Awards will be handed over to winners on 1st May, 2010 in R-Mall, Mulund. This is going to be one battle wherein everyone comes out smiling, rubbing their hands over full-stomachs. Our taste buds are in for treat! Yippee!
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