Bengaluru: In a move to honour foreign Indian restaurants, the Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR) is considering setting up an ‘Annapurna Award’. 

The criterion is that it records the highest footfall of local but non-NRI customers.

Swarajya reports that ICCR President and BJP MP Dr Vinay Sahasrabuddhe introduced this new initiative during the fourth edition of the Pt Deendayal Upadhyay Memorial International Oration that was held virtually.

It is to be noted that Indian culinary and cuisine traditions has made its way to ICCR’s agenda for the very first time.  The council’s international centres will also be motivated to carry out Indian Food Fests in the coming times.

The senior BJP leader further asserted that Indian restaurants overseas tend to be the major channels that evolve and hone true relationships between people-to-people.

Several noted Indian restauranteurs and chefs such as Vineet Bhatia, Sanjoo Malhotra, Sujan Mukherjee, Priya Paul and Sarah Todd took part in the panel discussion from across the world.

What is to be noted here is the remarks made by renowned food historian Dr Collin Taylor Sen. He put it across that vegetarianism and Ayurveda-based food are some of remarkable contributions made by India to the worldwide food traditions.