Kolkata: A biryani lover from Kolkata has turned his passion into a headline-making triumph after devouring five plates of mutton biryani in just 45 minutes to claim the coveted 'The Biryani Man 2026' title and a lifetime supply of free biryani.
Pramit Kumar Das emerged victorious in a unique eating contest organised as part of the 85th anniversary celebrations of Kolkata's renowned Shiraz Golden Restaurant. Registrations were held nationwide from July 1 to 21 through the restaurant's branches and digital platforms, with only 25 contestants advancing to the final through a lucky draw.
Participants had to finish at least two plates of biryani to qualify for points, but Das outclassed the field by polishing off five full plates—reportedly around 3.5 kilograms of mutton biryani—to seal a dominant victory.
His reward was a coveted Lifetime Free Biryani Card, entitling him to one complimentary plate of the restaurant's signature mutton biryani every week for the rest of his life at any Shiraz branch.
The remaining 24 finalists were also rewarded with loyalty cards offering dining discounts for three years.
With biryani holding a special place in Kolkata's culinary culture, the contest drew widespread public attention. Images and videos from the event have gone viral across social media, adding even more flavour to one of the city's most talked-about food competitions.