LAHORE: Ever since the Karachi Eat Food Festival ended last month, there were rumours of a one-of-its kind food carnival being held in Lahore as well.

The rumours gradually culminated into a sure shot fact that the festival was being held in the city. This is what Lahoris enjoy the most in their city – food. Lahore Eat was a three-day affair, which began on Friday and ended on Sunday. The last day, experienced a massive turnout by Lahori crowds where nearly all the gates of Jilani Park were swarming with people, all eager to get in. Long queues of cars, motorbikes and pedestrians were seen, and for some, it took hours to get in.

“It’s nice to see the energy with which Lahoris have come out to enjoy their Sunday. It’s taken me two hours from the main gate to reach the festival grounds. My car was in a long queue,” Ahmad Ali, a visitor, said while talking exclusively to Daily Times. He had come with his friends to enjoy the festival.

What’s commendable about Lahore Eat is the fact that it drew people from all backgrounds, ages, gender and professions to its premises. Families, friends, children, school trips, young couples and youth; Jilani Park was a sight on all three days. Despite of the maddening wait in queues and a long walk to get to its allotted area, Lahore Eat was attended in full and came out a big success. With an entry fee of Rs 250, there were strict rules not allowing groups of men inside unless accompanied by women. A rule detested by many men proved to be a relief as there were no uncomfortable stares and glares, no pick pocketing and other kinds of trouble. Lahore Eat was a complete family gala, where one could eat to their heart’s content on the most economical of prices.

However, the major highlight of Lahore Eat is that it brought together not just people from all backgrounds and walks of life, but expensive high street restaurants, hotel café eateries and international fast food chains rubbed shoulders with local dhaba food suppliers, desi cart-food vendors and roadside food sellers, to bring to Lahoris a variety of different cuisines. An electrician earning Rs 10,000 a month, was seen buying his children a sandwich from the Cosa Nostra stall, which was being sold at half the price it’s available at the restaurant. “We felt spoilt for choice; there was just so much going on. My children wanted baraf gola and then they saw a stall by Lebanese Lounge, so they wanted that too. We ended up eating Waris Nihari and cupcakes by the Pantry. The variety was superb,” a visitor said.

Some of the stalls that enjoyed the most clientele were by Zucchini, Cold Stone Creamery, Pappa Roti, Shut Up & Eat, Bombay Chowpatty, the Lahore Social, Café Upstairs, Chilli Chutney, Sweet Affairs, Café Backyard and Peeru’s Café.

Lahore Eat was organised and arranged by the creative team behind Latitude PR in collaboration with Chapra Khan Omari Events.

Not just visitors, but the food vendors and restaurants that had set up their stalls benefited from Lahore Eat as massive business was enjoyed on all three days.