A daylong event titled “Taste of the Sea” Seafood Festival was held today at the luxurious Hotel Ramada by Wyndham, Cox’s Bazar. The festival was organized by NexSikhon and Embolden Bangladesh, in collaboration with Enroute International Limited and the International Labour Organization (ILO), with overall support from Hotel Ramada.
The event opened up new horizons for Bangladesh’s blue economy and local entrepreneurship development. Fourteen stalls were set up, featuring participation from local women entrepreneurs, who showcased a wide variety of seafood-based delicacies to tourists and guests — including different species of fish, crabs, seaweed, clams, and traditional seafood dishes from the Rakhine community. Each stall reflected the unique blend of local flavors and oceanic diversity, attracting immense interest among visitors.
Among the guests at the event were Sharmin Sultana, Assistant Commissioner (Land) of Cox’s Bazar Sadar; Jahanara Islam from Cox’s Bazar Women Chamber; Md. Ibrahim Khalil Bhuiyan, Team Leader of Enroute International Ltd.; Tamanna Nowrin Azam, Executive Director of NexSikhon; Hasna Huraine, Advisor of Embolden Bangladesh; and Shevan Gunaratne, General Manager of Hotel Ramada.
The organizers stated that the primary goal of the festival was to promote Bangladesh’s marine resources and seafood industry at an international level, attract more tourists, and encourage local women entrepreneurs. Additionally, by harnessing the potential of the blue economy, the initiative aims to add a new dimension to Bangladesh’s overall economic growth.
According to Md. Ibrahim Khalil Bhuiyan, the festival featured an extensive array of seafood dishes, including: Mackerel Fish Burger, Tuna Pickle, Seaweed Vegetable Roll, Seaweed Samosa, Fried Prawn and Anthon Fish, Seaweed Sauce with Cinnamon Root Nuggets, Seafood Salad Mix, Grilled Prawns, Fish Fingers, Seafood Clear Soup, Lemon Fish Loaf, Spicy Crusted Dory, Bay Flame Pomfret, Fish and Chips, Red Snapper, Seafood Fried Rice, Golden Claw Chow Mein, Ocean Kiss Sushi, Twin Bite Seafood Platter, Seaweed Dinner, Masala Crab, Balachao, Pickled Olive with Garlic, Falooda with Seaweed, Crab Fry, Clam Balls, Clam Laksa, Seaweed Pudding with Coconut, Spicy Seaweed Green Chili Sauce, Seafood Special Thali, Fried Prawn Tower, Seaweed Pasta, Seaweed Vegetable Spring Roll, Fish Biryani, Prawn Momo, Fish Kebab, Fish Cutlet, and much more.
The participating brands and food stalls included: Tin Tin Seaweed Food Corner, Fahlong G, Tahira’s Kitchen, Pickle & Food, Mackerel Afshara’s Food Dairy, Binni, Miha’s Kitchen, Fresh Fish & Crab, Muna’s Hassel, Irene’s Classy Kitchen, Amber Loaf Café & Bakehouse, Fatema’s Cooking, Doria Restaurant, and Bamboo Hub.
The organizers also announced that such initiatives will continue in the future to further promote the importance of Bangladesh’s coastal regions and marine resources both nationally and internationally.
The diverse range of seafood dishes served at the festival captured the hearts of countless local and foreign tourists, making the event a true celebration of the ocean’s bounty.
