LAHORE: Specialising in tastes, spices and flavors, the Lahore Eat 2017 for food lovers kicked off on Friday at Fortress Stadium as thousands of citizens belonging to all ages and walks of lives thronged the premises on the first day in search of their favorite food. Jointly organised by Latitude and Chapra Khan Omari of CKO Events Architecture, the festival provided people with a platform to enjoy all types of food including desi, traditional, Chinese, desserts, fast food, continental and many others. Some of the biggest names in the food business like La Atrium, Cosa Nostra, Café Upstairs, Chatkhara House, Sweet Affairs, The Flutter Glutton, Galito’s, Bombay Chowpatty, Luxus Grand, Waris Nihari, Ginsoy Extreme Chinese, Parklane Hotel, Sarak Pe Karak, Tropical Island, La Mosa, Mimiz, Mudy’s BBQ Joint and many others have set up their stalls at the festival. Besides these restaurants, stalls of corporate companies offering different discounts and roadside vendors were also set up at the festival. The ticket price for entry is Rs 250 but on using mobile apps this could be availed in Rs 99. It is also offering food below Rs 300 for all the visitors however; special discounts are being offered on using mobile apps of ticketing partners of Lahore Eat 2017. The purpose of the event is not about earning money, but to provide people from a lower middle to upper class one roof where hygienic food from a roadside vendor to a luxury restaurant could serve food to all of them, CKO CEO Omar Omari told Daily Times. He further told that if he had to earn money than he could cancel the event when it was being postponed again and again. “But we make a history by organising a public event at Fortress, no doubt it’s a big deal,” he added. Expressing whether his expectations were met, Omar Omari said, “Last year, we had more than 28,000 Lahoris, but this time we are expecting double or triple numbers as this time, bigger names are under our platform. No doubt the weather is pretty harsh due the several postponing of the events, but still I hope that Lahoris will be visiting with the same energy as they attended the event last year.” Talking about the event, Latitude PR CEO Nusrat Jamil was of the view that the security provided by officials no doubt was the best. She informed that the event is offering a clean and hygienic environment just like elite restaurants. We had bounded our partners to sell every food below Rs 300 as this would also benefit people belonging to middle and lower middle class as they can enjoy the same environment like expensive restaurants, she added. Nusrat Jamil further explained, “In fact this was the actual reason behind organising the event so we could facilitate people from all walks of lives rather than one particular class.” The festival continues until Sunday.