- Title: RUSSIA-FISH SOUP Russian town holds fish soup festival
- Date: 26th May 2015
- Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) FESTIVAL ORGANISER AND HEAD OF RESTAURANT 'PIKE COURTYARD', MARINA NIKOLAEVA, SAYING: "The point of the festival, probably is about uniting Russian towns, through a pleasant, good and delicious event, that can be held in warm weather, a beautiful spring day, in such a beautiful town like Rostov Veliky. What is Rostov Veliky famous for? It is (famous f
- Embargoed: 10th June 2015 13:00
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- Topics: General
- Reuters ID: LVADV1YRWG07VQIUSGJSYQV83205
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- Story Text: A historic Russian town, that prides itself in being the birthplace of a mythical talking pike, recently served up a gastronomic celebration of a national fish soup.
The town of Rostov Veliky, some 200 kilometres (124 miles) from Moscow, welcomed people from nearby towns to the 'The Great Rostov's Fish Soup' festival on Saturday (May 23).
A competition pitting teams against each other to produce the best tasting fish soup of the day drew wide participation from locals. Some twenty teams, including local producers and companies, took part in the event festivities.
Sunny weather added to the lure of the festival with locals turning up in force to taste an array of recipes for a traditional soup that they believe dates back centuries.
Chefs from local restaurants demonstrated the ingredients and process involved in preparing the perfect fish soup.
But the festival is all about uniting Russian towns, said festival organiser Marina Nikolaeva.
"The point of the festival, probably is about uniting Russian towns, through a pleasant, good and delicious event, that can be held in warm weather, a beautiful spring day, in such a beautiful town like Rostov Veliky. What is Rostov Veliky famous for? It is (famous for) having very fertile soil and the Lake Nero, where there is a lot of delicious fish," added Nikolaeva, who also heads the 'Pike Courtyard' restaurant in Yaroslavl region.
Crowds were entertained with lively music and with festival participants retelling stories of Russian traditions, customs and legends associated with catching fish and preparing the perfect soup.
Competition was fierce and many said their secret weapon to winning was their carefully kept recipe.
"I haven't had the time to assess the competitors, we are still cutting, adding salt, pepper - but in principle I think everyone is ready, because you can see they are cutting, peeling everywhere - I think the competition has prepared quite well, but we are even better!" said festival competition participant, Natalia Grigorieva.
After two hours of cooking time a jury tasted the festival's offerings, before attendants were served a selection of fish soups in large bowls.
Part of the money raised at the festival is set to go toward funding the operation of a local young girl at the Yaroslavl Clinical Hospital. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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