SynopsisKolkata crowned its first 'Biryani Man' in a recent eating contest. Pramit Kumar Das consumed five plates of mutton biryani in forty-five minutes. This achievement highlights a significant cultural event for the city's food enthusiasts. The contest was organized by the renowned Shiraz Golden Restaurant. Das's feat is celebrated as a unique gastronomic accomplishment.Pramit ‘Nawab’ Das has the stomach for… well, has the stomachYou can call biryani 'pulao' as much as you want in Haridwar. But in Kolkata, all such semantic nonsense goes out of the window and the real action takes over. Biryanism now has a prophet: Pramit Kumar Das. The not-out-of-shape-at-all Das has been crowned Kolkata's first 'Biryani Man' in a well-piled-up contest organised by the city's iconic Shiraz Golden Restaurant. Das has been truly voracious, consuming 5 plates (about 3.5 kg) of mutton biryani - remember, Kolkata biryani has potatoes in it too, unlike its sissy cousins - in 45 mins. Which is less time than it takes most Bengalis to debate whether Mao was being accurate when he said that a single spark can start a prairie fire.The US may have its Nathan's Hot Dog-Eating Contest, giving the world legendary chompers like 6-time champion Takeru 'The Tsunami' Kobayashi - who once chowed down 50 hot dogs in 12 mins - and reigning champ Joey Chestnut. But Kolkata now has its own gastronomic gladiator. Das' achievement is not merely about quantity but also about cultural symbolism. Hot dogs are fast food, biryani's slow poetry. To conquer 5 plates in the time it takes for a Bengal government official to look up from his desk to answer your query is to wrestle with history, spice and cholesterol. Let's raise a plate to Pramit 'Nawab' Das. Even as we keep a bottle of antacid nearby. ...moreElevate your knowledge and leadership skills at a cost cheaper than your daily tea.Subscribe Now