Naveed Ahmed Khan        Photo by Sultan Bashir

Islamabad: The Royal Thai Embassy, in collaboration with the World Food Programme (WFP), hosted a special event titled “From the Embassy’s Garden to the Lunch Table: Let’s Cook Thai Food!” The gathering took place at the Embassy and focused on the integration of traditional Thai cooking with modern sustainability practices.Kamolwan Sriposil, Charge d’Affaires at the Royal Thai Embassy, opened the event by expressing her gratitude to Miss Coco Ushiyama, Country Director of the World Food Programme, for her vision and commitment, which were pivotal in bringing the event to life. “Today’s event represents much more than a cooking demonstration; it serves as a window into the profound role of the garden in Thai daily life,” Sriposil remarked.

In her address, Sriposil highlighted the longstanding Thai tradition of cultivating vegetables, herbs, and fruits at home. This practice not only provides families with fresh and nutritious ingredients but also allows them to sell surplus produce in local markets, thereby enhancing community income and resilience. “This tradition of self-reliance and sustainability has been the cornerstone of food security in Thai households,” she noted, emphasizing its significance in a world increasingly challenged by food scarcity and climate change.

The event featured a cooking demonstration by Chef Haleem, who prepared two iconic Thai dishes: Thai Green Curry with chicken and Stir-fried minced beef with holy basil. Utilizing fresh ingredients sourced from the Embassy’s own garden, the dishes showcased the vibrant flavors characteristic of Thai cuisine. Following the demonstration, attendees enjoyed a lunch featuring these culinary delights, embodying the event’s theme of “from the garden to the table.”Sriposil extended her appreciation to the WFP team for their essential role in the event’s success and expressed optimism that the initiative would inspire steps toward a more sustainable future.

A notable highlight was Chef Haleem’s signing of the Chef’s Manifesto for SDG Zero Hunger, which Sriposil described as a powerful reminder of the collective responsibility to achieve a hunger-free world. “Food is not just a necessity; it is a universal language, a source of joy, and a basic human right,” she stated.The Charge d’Affaires concluded by encouraging attendees to carry forward the message that food can unite us, nourish our bodies, and contribute to a more sustainable future. “Thank you all for being here. I look forward to the enriching discussions and collaborations that today will inspire,” she said.The event not only celebrated the rich culinary traditions of Thailand but also underscored the importance of sustainability and community resilience in addressing global food security challenges.