Kolkata: Forget cricket or quiz shows, in the City of Joy, it was biryani that stole the spotlight. At Shiraz Golden Restaurant's 85th anniversary celebrations in Kolkata, appetites were put to the ultimate test in a quirky eating competition that left spectators gasping and cheering.
Among 25 finalists, chosen through a nationwide lucky draw, one man stood out. Pramit Kumar Das devoured five full plates of Shiraz's signature mutton biryani in just 45 minutes, clinching the title of The Biryani Man 2026. Contestants had to finish at least two plates to qualify, but Pramit's feat left fellow diners stunned.
His reward? A lifetime free biryani card entitling him to one complimentary plate every week at any Shiraz outlet. The other 24 finalists didn't leave empty-handed either, receiving three-year loyalty cards with dining discounts.
The contest, reported by The Telegraph, turned into a celebration of Kolkata's enduring love affair with biryani. For Pramit, it was more than a win, it was a spicy, fragrant coronation into the city's culinary folklore.