Chicago, June 28:  The Mangalorean Konkan Christian Association (MKCA), USA celebrated "Konkan fest-2008" at Courtland Square, Des Plaines, Illinois. This program reflected unique Mangalorean cultural extravaganza. This is the third time this kind of mega-event was convened but second time various competitions were held to preserve and promote rich Mangalorean cultural heritage.  No other Association of Mangalorean Konkan Christian origin has ever ventured to hold multitude of competitions in any program in US.  The MKCA president Lawrence Mascarenhas welcomed the judges of the program, guests and members. The program started with food competition, followed by singing and fancy dress competition.

It was a feast of food and one of the judges called it "The Taste of Mangalore".  There were about 23 variety of food items and all of them were homemade by the contestants. There were four categories for the competition – appetizer, main course, dessert, and side dish. Mrs. Sheila Fernandes from Kuwait, Mr. Concy Misquita and Mr. James Saldanha were the judges for the food competition. Judges had extensive background not only in preparation of authentic Mangalorean food, but also tasting it as well! Event Chairperson Stany D'Souza introduced the judges to the audience and the competition started.  Contestants' names were kept secret and the food items were marked with code numbers.  Items like Chicken Sukka, Chicken Qubera, Chicken 65, Chicken Curry with Coconut Juice, Pork Baphaad, Mango Curry, Pork Indaad, Thendlim Sukka, Moong Sukka, Dhahi Vada, Sannam, Batate Vada, Shevio, Vorn - just to name a few, were among the typical Mangalorean dishes. It seems the judges had a hard time to judge the competition because of too many variety of food, or perhaps, concern about gaining a few extra pounds of weight! The food competition winners are as follows:

Main Course category – First place – Lilly Fernandes (Chicken Sukka) and second place Florine Rodrigues (Chicken Curry)

Side Dish category – First place – Vissia D'Souza (Mango Curry) and second place Mercy Concesso (Pork Indaad)

Appetizer category – First place – Dorothy Rego (Dhahi Vada) and second place Alphonce Mascarenhas (Sannam) and Luella Mascarenhas (Shevio)

Dessert category – First place – Loretta Rodrigues (Vorn) and second place Queenie Mendonca (Russian Pudding)

There was impromptu singing by the audience present followed by skits presented by following groups:  "New Indian on the Block" - Presented by Angel D'Souza, Joey Mendonca, Shawn D'Souza, Shannon D'Souza and Jason Mendonca.  "Dollachi Kaddakh Cha" - Presented by Denzil Concesso, Jossie Mendonca and Stany D'Souza.