ISLAMABAD: The International Food Festival – Taste the World – was held at a local hotel in Islamabad. The vibrant and culturally enriching event brought together 29 embassies for a fundraising extravaganza. The event, organized as a charity event, served as a platform for culinary diversity and cultural exchange, showcasing the flavors and traditions of nations from around the globe.
Organized by the Islamabad Foreign Women’s Association (IFWA), in collaboration with Serena Hotels, the Head of Missions’ Spouses (HOMS) Group, and the Pakistan Foreign Office Women Association (PFOWA), the Taste the World festival aimed to unite people through the universal language of food while raising funds for charitable causes. The participating embassies offered a unique and authentic taste through cuisine ranging from savory dishes to sweet treats representing the flavors and traditions of the world.
The event featured a wide array of savory dishes and sweet treats, each offering a unique and authentic taste of various cuisines. Proceeds from the event were directed towards IFWA funds, aimed at supporting underprivileged communities and empowering women and children in need.
IFWA and the Serena Hotels have a long history of partnership that aims to make a meaningful impact by raising funds for charity projects that benefit vulnerable groups, especially women and children in Pakistan.
Aziz Boolani, the CEO of Serena Hotels, emphasized the significance of cultural diplomacy in fostering connections and understanding among diverse communities. He highlighted the event as more than just a culinary experience, but as a celebration of diversity, unity, and compassion.
IFWA, a non-political and non-profit organization established in 1995, has been dedicated to charitable endeavors, with a focus on providing support and resources to vulnerable groups in Pakistan. The organization’s past projects have included initiatives such as donating wheelchairs to rehabilitation centers, providing school supplies to underprivileged schools, and offering medical equipment to care facilities for special persons.
Among the notable initiatives undertaken by IFWA was the response to emergency needs following the devastating floods in 2022, where the organization collaborated with The International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN) to establish a mobile Nurturing Care Center. The organization donated 100 wheelchairs to the National Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, providing school supplies to the Haraf Foundation, Khatoon-e-Fatima High School, and Al-Firdous Community Model School, as well as medical equipment to Care for Special Persons (CFSP).
