Seven Stories Told Through Taste: Pilaf Festival at Lali Restaurants

By TLCA

•

Published on October 21, 2025

In collaboration with the Lali restaurant chain

Pilaf is more than just a dish—it’s a story told through the aroma of spices and the warmth of the hearth. At Lali restaurants, a grand culinary journey across Uzbekistan begins, where every plate holds a legend.

From October 20 to November 9, the Lali chain of Uzbek cuisine restaurants, part of the Novikov Group & Family Garden culinary alliance, will present a unique gastronomic project—the Pilaf Festival.

The large-scale event will take place simultaneously at four Lali restaurants—in Sochi, Krasnaya Polyana, Voronezh, and Tashkent—and will become a true ode to Uzbekistan’s culinary art and its main symbol, included in the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

A Tribute to Taste and Tradition

“For us, pilaf is more than food. It’s a cultural code, a symbol of generosity and unity. With this festival, we want to pay tribute to the traditions of the Uzbek people and their rich culture, to showcase the incredible diversity of this remarkable dish,” notes Yervand Galstyan, founder of the Family Garden holding.
“We are endlessly grateful to Uzbekistan for the hospitality and inspiration that shaped the concept of Lali.”

A Delicious Journey

For three weeks, guests of Lali restaurants will embark on a culinary voyage across the regions of Uzbekistan, discovering the traditions, aromas, and secrets of preparing the national dish.

Brand chef Ruslan Italmazov and his team have prepared seven authentic variations—from Fergana to Samarkand, from Andijan to Khiva. Each recipe tells its own story—through flavor, aroma, and character.

Seven Flavors, Seven Legends

Chaykhana Pilaf with lamb and barberries cooked in tail fat—served with roasted garlic, pickled mountain onions, and gurob, fermented unripe grape juice
Photo: Lali Restaurant

Fergana Pilaf with beef, red rice, and kavartak—accompanied by spicy broth, assorted suzma, and green radish
Photo: Lali Restaurant

Osh Sofi with beef, kazy, and Uzbek tomatoes
Photo: Lali Restaurant

Kabuli Pilaf with beef, chickpeas, and raisins—served with Shakarob salad
Photo: Lali Restaurant

Andijan Pilaf with lamb and Achik-chuchuk salad made from green barrel-pickled tomatoes
Photo: Lali Restaurant

Samarkand Homemade Pilaf with beef and quince—served with ayran and pickled hot peppers
Photo: Lali Restaurant

“Uch Kuduk” Pilaf with beef, lamb, and pomegranate seeds—accompanied by homemade pickled cucumbers in tomato sauce
Photo: Lali Restaurant

Where Taste Becomes History

Lali Locations:

Each recipe is more than a dish—it’s a piece of cultural memory.

At one table, the aromas of Eastern bazaars, the hum of teahouses, and the ancient traditions passed down through generations come together.

Lali | Sochi, 1/1 Bestuzhev St. (Mandarin Complex)

Lali | Sochi, Krasnaya Polyana Resort, Naberezhnaya Vremena Goda, 3

Lali | Voronezh, 36/38 Prospekt Revolyutsii

Lali | Tashkent, Yunusabad District, Kiyot Block, 57B