To whet the appetite of food buffs, the cooking couple offer a variety of delectable dishes. For starters there's borhani and potato cheese chops. Those who relish rustic Bangladeshi fare can go for fried bamboo shrubs or pumpkin leaves along with steamed rice. Other attractions are fried lobsters, Padmar Hilsa, mushroom curry spiced with capsicum, tomato and fenugreek, Bangladeshi dal, to mention just a few.

The first Bangladesh Food Festival was held in Mumbai Hilton and Mumbai Tea Centre for 15 days.

Reminiscing on the Mumbai festival held in September last year, Shawkat says, " The success of the Mumbai event has brought in awareness among the Indian gourmets that Bangladeshi food is definitely different from what they know as 'Bangla food'. In addition, their appreciation of these dishes was reflected in at least six Hindi TV channels and two English TV channels."

Mumbai is not the only stop for Shawkat and Nahid. They have received invitations to continue the Bangladesh Food Festival in Kerala, New Delhi and Shantiniketan. Going westwards, the duo looks forward to a mini-version of the festival to be held in New York on April 23.