Thiruvananthapuram: The inaugural ceremony of the ‘Kerala Seafood Cafe,’ the government’s maiden venture into the seafood restaurant domain, was led by Minister for Fisheries, Saji Cherian, at Azhamkulam on Wednesday.
Minister Cherian expressed the department’s intention to establish seafood restaurants throughout Kerala, unveiling a phased plan for implementation. The initial stage involves launching the project in 14 district headquarters, followed by major townships in the second phase, and finally extending to panchayats in the third phase.
Highlighting the government’s commitment to offering quality seafood at affordable prices, Minister Cherian outlined the plan to set up these establishments in strategic locations. The first ‘Kerala Seafood Cafe,’ housed in a fully air-conditioned 367 square meters building, was inaugurated with an investment of Rs 1.5 crore.
The restaurant is equipped to accommodate 60 patrons simultaneously and boasts specially trained chefs capable of preparing both traditional Kerala fish dishes and those popular among foreign tourists.
In a move towards community support, the seafood restaurant has provided employment opportunities for women dependents of Okhi victims, contributing to the welfare of the affected families.
Minister Cherian also announced that the marine food processing unit in Vizhinjam is set to commence operations within the next two weeks, further bolstering the state’s seafood industry