Nagpur: Celebrity chef Vishnu Manohar added another feather to his cap on Sunday by setting a world record of preparing 3,000kg of tarri poha, Nagpur's iconic breakfast dish. Hundreds of residents gathered at his restaurant in Bajaj Nagar from early morning to savour the delicacy.
The record-setting event was organised on World Poha Day to promote Nagpur's signature dish on the global stage. The achievement was certified by World Record Coordinator Renu Jamdar in the presence of Sushma Narvekar, founder and chief editor of the World Records Book of India.
Manohar dedicated the record to his late father, artist Digambar Manohar, whose birth anniversary coincided with the event. A floral tribute was offered to his father's portrait before a ceremonial serving of tarri poha and its distribution to the public.
Preparations for the record attempt began before dawn, with massive cauldrons and specially designed cooking setups used to prepare the 3,000 kg dish.
Speaking on the occasion, Vishnu Manohar said the initiative aimed to take the flavour and identity of Nagpur's tarri poha beyond regional and national boundaries and give it global recognition. "The objective is to ensure that tarri poha, which is an integral part of Nagpur's culinary culture, gains global recognition.
We will continue our efforts to take this pride of Nagpur to the world," he said.
The scale of the preparation was immense. The spicy chana tarri was made using 190 kg each of chickpeas and onions, 50 kg each of ginger and garlic, 150 kg of oil, and nearly 600 litres of water. The poha required hundreds of kilograms of flattened rice, onions, green chillies, and coriander. About 600 kg of firewood was used to cook the dish on giant stoves.
Speaking at the event, Nagpur Mayor Neeta Thakre said such initiatives help promote the city's culture and foster community spirit. She also used the occasion to highlight the Nagpur Municipal Corporation's cleanliness drive, urging citizens to contribute towards keeping the city clean. NMC Standing Committee Chairperson Shivani Dani Wakhre, along with several corporators, was also present.
On the occasion, Manohar announced that 3,000 kg of halwa would be prepared next year for the relatives of patients at the Govt Medical College & Hospital.