Tharoor joins chef at Thiruvananthapuram's Ramassery Idli Festival
Synopsis
Congress MP Dr. Shashi Tharoor made his annual visit to Thiruvananthapuram's Mascot Hotel for the Ramassery Idli Festival on October 21, 2026, joining chef Smitha to prepare the iconic flat Kerala idlis.
Key Takeaways
Shashi Tharoor , Congress MP from Thiruvananthapuram , attended the annual Ramassery Idli Festival at Mascot Hotel on October 21, 2026 .
He joined chef Smitha in personally making the traditional Ramassery idlis , which are flat and wide like dosas but steamed like idlis.
The Ramassery idli originates from Ramassery , a town in Kerala, and is considered a regional culinary heritage item.
Tharoor described the idlis as looking 'like steamed dosas' and tasting 'like heaven,' sharing the experience with his team.
Kerala MPs regularly participate in local food and cultural events as part of constituency outreach and cultural connection.
Some annual traditions are worth every kilometer of the trek. Congress MP Dr. Shashi Tharoor made his yearly visit to Thiruvananthapuram's storied Mascot Hotel on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, for its celebrated Ramassery Idli Festival — rolling up his sleeves to join chef Smitha in crafting the distinctive idlis that, as he put it, 'look like steamed dosas and taste like heaven.'
What makes the Ramassery Idli worth a pilgrimage
The Ramassery idli is no ordinary breakfast item. Originating from the small town of Ramassery in Kerala, this traditional steamed delicacy is flatter and wider than a standard idli — closer in appearance to a dosa — yet retains the soft, cloud-like texture that has made it a regional legend. The preparation demands patience, precision, and a technique passed down through generations of local cooks.
The Mascot Hotel, one of Thiruvananthapuram's most recognisable addresses, has made the annual festival a fixture on the city's culinary calendar, drawing food enthusiasts from across Kerala and beyond. Tharoor described indulging himself and his team after the cooking session — a rare, unhurried moment away from parliamentary schedules.
Tharoor's constituency connection through culture
For Thiruvananthapuram's MP, the festival visit is as much cultural stewardship as it is celebration. Kerala's elected representatives have long maintained visibility through participation in local food and cultural events — a form of constituency outreach rooted in the state's deep pride in its culinary heritage. Tharoor, a former UN Under-Secretary-General and former Union Minister who now brings global recognition to a regional seat, has consistently woven such grassroots moments into his public identity.
The image of an MP in a hotel kitchen, hand-making idlis alongside a local chef, is precisely the kind of scene that resonates in a constituency where food is identity, tradition, and pride all at once.
If this year's festival follows the pattern of previous editions, next year's Ramassery Idli Festival at the Mascot Hotel will draw an even larger crowd — and, almost certainly, one returning MP.
Point of View
Where food carries deep community identity, sharing a kitchen with a local chef communicates something no campaign rally fully can. It also fits a broader pattern of Kerala's elected representatives using culinary and cultural events as low-key but effective voter-connect exercises. The regularity of this visit — 'annual trek,' in his own words — signals that this is considered routine constituency maintenance, not a one-off photo opportunity.
NationPress
21 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Ramassery idli?
The Ramassery idli is a traditional Kerala delicacy originating from Ramassery town. Unlike standard idlis, it is flat and wide — resembling a steamed dosa — and is known for its soft, light texture achieved through a distinctive steaming technique passed down through generations.
Where is the Ramassery Idli Festival held?
The Ramassery Idli Festival is held annually at the Mascot Hotel in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala's capital city. It has become a well-known fixture on the city's culinary calendar.
Why did Shashi Tharoor attend the Ramassery Idli Festival?
Dr. Shashi Tharoor, Congress MP from Thiruvananthapuram, attends the festival annually as part of his cultural connection to his constituency. He described it as his 'annual trek' and participated in making the idlis alongside chef Smitha.
What did Shashi Tharoor do at the Mascot Hotel festival in 2026?
At the 2026 Ramassery Idli Festival, Dr. Tharoor joined local chef Smitha in preparing the traditional Ramassery idlis. He and his team also ate the idlis, with Tharoor calling them 'heaven' in taste.
Is Ramassery idli different from a regular idli?
Yes. The Ramassery idli is significantly flatter and wider than the standard South Indian idli, giving it a visual resemblance to a dosa, though it is steamed. It has its own distinct texture and is considered a protected regional culinary tradition of Kerala.
