Year: 2016

Bigger and Spicier Asian Hawkers Market returns to Select Citywalk, Saket, on the Valentine’s Day weekend

Bigger and Spicier Asian Hawkers Market returns to Select Citywalk, Saket, on the Valentine’s Day weekend

Embark on yet another culinary journey from Japan to Indonesia, with occasional diversions to the home of Chinjabi cuisine, at the Asian Hawkers Market-II
AFTER attracting more than 45,000 visitors in 2015 and getting rave reviews from the media, the Asian Hawkers Market will be back with a bigger and spicier second edition to make the Valentine’s Day weekend more special at the Select Citywalk, Saket, on February 12-14, 2016.

An impressive slew of debuts will be the big attraction of the Asian Hawkers Market-II (AHM-II), Delhi’s only celebration of Asian cuisines being presented by Veeba Food Services Pvt. Ltd., makers of the popular sauces, mayonnaise and salad dressings. Zomato, which has rolled out a popular online ordering service, has come on board as co-sponsor and will offer a tempting discount to all those who visit AHM-II. Black Dog Sparkling Water has signed up as another co-sponsor of the one-of-its-kind food festival.



AHM-II will see Pa PaYa of Mumbai, promoted by multi-award-winning restaurateur Zorawar Kalra, presenting its critically acclaimed dishes for the first time in Delhi. Also in the thick of the action will be Delhi-NCR’s newest Asian restaurants – Honk at Pullman-Novotel, New Delhi Aerocity, and The Bento Café from Ashish Kapur, creator of The Wine Company, dimsumbros and Yo China, showcasing their products for the first time at a food festival. And Vidur Kanodia of Shiv Sagar fame will test-market his forthcoming brand, Hawkers Chowk, and its unique range of Sichuan dosas, Chinese bhel and chilli idlis.
“In the spirit of Startup India, we hail these brands and their promise to make the Delhi-NCR dining scene more exciting than it has already become,” says Atul Sikand, the man behind Facebook’s most popular recipe sharing community, Sikandalous Cuisine, and one of the four founding partners of the Asian Hawkers Market. Adds Sid Mathur, Director and Head of Food, Impresario Entertainment & Hospitality, and another founder partner: “We are committed to our promise to provide visitors one platform for exclusive food experiences. These could be restaurant debuts, new dishes from familiar places, and participants from other cities.”
AHM-II will also see the return of the multi-award-winning restaurants that participated in the inaugural show and were literally mobbed by visitors. Popular Pan Asian restaurants Asia7Chi The Asian CookhouseFatty Bao and Mamagoto are back, and so are Berco’s (Chinese and Thai), En (Japanese), old favourites Jade at The Claridges and Joy Luck Moon (Chinese), Latest Recipe at Le Meridien Gurgaon (Japanese street food items from the 24×7 restaurant), Neung Roi at Radisson Blu Plaza (Thai), Social (Chinese takeaway boxes), Wow Momo (momos with a twist), and Yum Yum Cha (Japanese street food and speciality soft drinks and ice-creams).
A number of new partner restaurants have also signed up – these include Benihana (Japanese robata grill), Big Fat Sandwich (Asian-inspired sandwiches), Big Wong (Chinese and Thai),  Dao (Thai),  Harry’s Bar & Cafe (Pan Asian), which is led by the vision of celebrity chef Vicky Ratnani, and home delivery services Asia Central and Thai Crate. To cater to the sweet cravings of the anticipated 45,000-plus visitors, AHM-II will have Sugarama‘s famous soft-centred pralines and macaroons with unusual flavour combinations. Also on the menu are Hokey Pokey‘s popular ice-creams and frozen desserts.
Says Tanveer Kwatra, Executive Chef, Le Meridien Gurgaon, and another founding partner: “AHM brings together the most talented chefs and they get their passion to the table. For a cooking professional, it’s three days of being with the best, working for 12 hours without a break, and getting instant feedback from our guests.”
Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) will promote Amazing Thailandwith a cart full of delicacies prepared by Thai chefs in Delhi-NCR. “We are confident that this will be the beginning of more such associations between national tourism offices and AHM,” says Sourish Bhattacharyya, acclaimed food columnist and blogger, and one of the founding partners of the Asian Hawkers Market. He adds: “We are waiting for the day when restaurants from across Asia will stir the pot at our one-of-its-kind food festival.”
The Valentine’s Day weekend has never been spicier. Don’t miss your date with the Asian Hawkers Market-II to feel the heat.
About Asian Hawkers Market
Asian Hawkers Market, (12th to 14thFebruary, 2016 at Select Citywalk, Saket) is yet another scintillating Pan Asian culinary journey celebrating Asian cuisines and culture from the Far East to South-East Asia. This three-day food festival will see the best of five-star and standalone restaurants come together to present the cuisines of Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Instagram: @asianhawkersmarket

Jharkhand Toursim Showcases Unique Culture at the Bharat Parv

Jharkhand Toursim Showcases Unique Culture at the Bharat Parv

From the rustic delicacies of Jharkhand to the enamoring Chou dance form and primitive arts and handicrafts kept alive by tribal artisans – Jharkhand Tourism has  showcased the beautiful and intriguing attractions of the state at the Bharat Parva 2016,at the majestic Red Fort

The Tourism, Art & Culture, Sports and Youth affairs department of Government Jharkhand has set forth an attractive agenda for the state pavilion where the state’s popular food items, its ethnic dance forms, and indigenous arts and crafts are being showcased widely from 26th-29th January. 

According to Ms Suchitra Sinha, Director of Jharkhand Tourism, the department is focusing strongly on promoting tourism to the state which has several tourist attractions, scenic waterfalls, beautiful forests and a rich history. According to Ms Sinha, Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das is taking taken personal interest in activities to promote tourism in the state.





Among the irresistible attractions at the state pavilion there were mouth-watering delicacies of Dhooska meat, Mutton-Jhor, Murgi Jhor, Rehu Jhor for non-vegetarian foodies to vegetarian delights like Peetha, Usna Chawal, Kurthi Dal, Chilka, Kachari, Footkal Saag, Kacchu Masala, Maduwa Roti as well as Dhooska- Barra.








The participants included dancers who were promoting the indigenous dance form Chou and artisans who have preserved the age-old traditional arts and craft forms of tribal areas. Seeing all this leaves with a feeling of amazement that how beautifully diverse and culturally rick our country is.




Singapore Tourism Celebrates 100 Years of Singapore Sling

Singapore Tourism Celebrates 100 Years of Singapore Sling

The evening of 28th Jan, saw Singapore Tourism celebrating 100 years of their famous cocktail Singapore Sling. To felicitate the event, mixologist Rizwan, came all the way from Long Bar, at the Raffles Hotel, Singapore, where the cocktail was born.
The Singapore Sling was created in 1915 at Raffles Singapore by bartender Ngiam Tong Boon.
Following the turn of the century in colonial Singapore, Raffles Singapore was the gathering place for the community and it was common to see the gentlemen nursing glasses of gin or whisky.
Unfortunately for the ladies, etiquette dictated they could not consume alcohol in public. The talented Ngiam thus saw a niche in the market and decided to create a cocktail that looked like a fruit juice. Making it in pink gave it a feminine flair and together with the use of clear alcohol, he clearly led people into thinking it was a socially acceptable punch for the ladies.
With that Singapore Sling was born… and rest as they say is history…!!
The celebration party saw coming together of some travel agents and food bloggers, along with Singapore Tourism officials and our man for the evening Rizwan. It was planned at Shangri-La hotel, New Delhi, one of the best hotels of the capital.

The event began, with Rizwan sharing his recipe for Singapore Sling and also giving people a chance to create their own drink.

One sip into the drink, and I knew it was worth celebrating every year of its creation.






A huge cake was also cut, which had a specific number on it; this number represented the number of Indian’s that traveled to Singapore last year.


There were lots of fun activities and contests also planned for the audience. There were two thematic photo backdrops, and instant prints were given to people in branded photo jackets.




There was an electrifying band playing mix of new and classic English songs.

Lip Smacking snacks were served and an elaborate dinner menu was laid out for the audience to relish. The menu focused on both Singaporean and Indian Cuisines keeping in mind the likes of Indian audience.






I then got a chance to chat up with the hero of the evening Rizwan, in a little privacy and away from the noise of the event. I was amazed to know that he started this mixology thing very early in the age and now has been with Raffles for 7 years. The Long Bar at Raffles caters upto a 1000 people on a weekend, and Rizwan enjoys bartending to them.
He is blessed with 3 adorable and kids and loves spending time with his family.

It was a pleasure meeting and chatting with such a down to earth and loving person. To cherish the memories for long, I got myself clicked with him, and also made him pose with the signature Singapore Sling.



It was a great experience to be a part of such a prestigious event, and I look forward to the 4 city roadshows that Singapore Tourism will organising in India this year.

Till then cheers to the Singapore Sling…!!
Gadre Marine- India’s Largest Surimi Producer

Gadre Marine- India’s Largest Surimi Producer

Founded in 1978 by Mr. Deepak Gadre, Gadre Marine Export was originally a processing and packaging unit of frozen marine products such as shrimps, squids, cuttlefish and other fin-fish. In 1994 however an unprecedented and bold step was taken, India’s first and only Surimi manufacturing plant was set up in Ratnagiri. Gadre Marine since then became the third largest Surimi** manufacturer in the world.

What is Surimi? Surimi (a  Japanese  word ) is an edible paste made from processed fish or other meat. It is used to imitate the texture/color of the meat of lobster, crab etc. The production process includes – Descaling of Fish wherein the fish meat, skin, bones and scales are separated.
In 2004 the company under the leadership of its Managing Director, Mr Arjun Gadre set up a Surimi** value added products plant with a wide product line encompassing surimi value added products, marinated ready to cook fish and cut n cleaned raw fish. Gadre challenges the very roots of Indian culture where fish is always served fresh; their authentic frozen seafood touches the very essence of modern Indians looking for a simpler, healthier and tastier alternative.
Gadre Marine has roped in Vikas Khanna-an award winning Indian chef as their brand ambassador. With this association the brand aims to change the perception about frozen seafood in India and create more awareness about its specialities. Gadre challenges the very roots of Indian culture where fish is always served fresh; their authentic frozen seafood touches the very essence of modern Indians looking for a simpler, healthier and tastier alternative. 

Some of the products retailed and produced by the brand are:
Masala Mackerel – We have delicately flavoured our fish with authentic Konkani masala’s to bring out its richness in every bite, while simultaneously maintaining the nutrition value. This preparation will truly tantalize your palate.

Lobster Bytes – Pamper palates with the memorable taste of these Lobster Bites.  They are prepared with authentic lobster flavor and coated with bread crumbs to create a mouth-watering  experience in every bite!
Masala Prawns– Authentic Konkani Masala combines with our Prawns to create an exceptional flavour. The Freshness crunchiness and the blend of flavourful spices are set to make the eating experience of your customers truly scrumptious.

Amritsari crab claw – Blend of Amritsari Masala  with our  Crab Claw ingredients to create the most exclusive taste; one which is crispy , fresh and spicy. This appetizer is conveniently cooked, is low on cholesterol & high on satisfaction. 


Gadre Marine Pvt Ltd already exports Surimi and other Fish products in large quantities to Japan, Taiwan, Malaysia, Korea and Australia. The company presently running 3 plants one in Ratnagiri, another in Chorwad Gujarat and Brahmwar- Karnataka. After successfully exporting abroad, Gadre has now decided to focus on the Indian Market despite the challenges it faces.
 Website –    www.gadre.co.in
 Twitter –     www.Twitter.com/gadreseafood  

And the quest begins…

And the quest begins…

Seven billion people, searching for connection, redemption, meaning. Oprah Winfrey presents the seven-night event, “Belief,” a groundbreaking television event exploring humankind’s ongoing search to connect with something greater than ourselves. 
Journeying to the far reaches of the world, and to places cameras have rarely been, “Belief” searches the origins of diverse faiths and the heart of what really matters. From the epic to the intimate, webbed throughout each hour are stories of people on spiritual journeys, taking them to sacred spaces.
Starts 1st February, Every Monday 9PM, only on Discovery Channel. Don’t forget to tune in..!!


iRevo enhances viewer experience with Netfilx

iRevo enhances viewer experience with Netfilx

iRevo Multimedia, founded in Silicon Valley and now firmly focused on the India market released a major software upgrade for its Smart devices with feature enhancements and integral support for Netflix.

Announcing the new update Mr. Dhimant Bhayani, Founder & CEO of iRevo, said, “We released a new updates for iRevo Smart TV box and iRevo Smart PC. With this Over the Air Update release, iRevo users will be able to install the update on a single click. This update release gives users access to several major enhancements and access to additional content. Major takeaway from this update is the support Netflix and Live News channel on Home screen of iRevo Smart TV Box”.



Further elaborating, Mr Dhimant said, “The way this updates works is that for our Smart TV device users, Netflix will appear as one of the tile on its home page and for iRevo Smart PC box users Netflix will appear as a tile under ‘Movies and TV category’. By clicking on the Netflix Tile, user will now be able to launch the Netflix service. The addition of Live News channel brings live broadcast of Door Darshan, India Today, Aaj Tak, TV9 and others. Other major update is the Event and Content Notification dialog box which notifies user of daily major events for entertainment and sports and direct access to related content.”
The iRevo Smart PC; which became #1 Best Seller on Amazon during initial product launch; comes bundled with a wireless keyboard and a mouse, making it easy to interact when TV (CRT or Flat panel) is used as a PC Monitor. iRevo Smart PC is available at a street price of around Rs 6,000/-. iRevo Smart PC runs Microsoft Office Suite enabling consumers to create Word documents, Excel spread sheets and PowerPoint presentations at no additional cost. Furthermore, users can enjoy web browsing, do emails, Skype with family and friends, or play their favourite games from Google PlayStore. iRevo is proud to support Government of India’s #DigitalIndia initiative and comes with several Apps & Services pre-installed.
iRevo Smart TV; connects to your TV (CRT or Flat Panel) and a world of entertainment is brought to your fingertip. It comes with an Air Mouse remote control that makes it super easy to interact with TV interface software to access and view large variety of content. This iRevo Cloud powered device enables consumers to enjoy TV shows and Live News, Music Videos and Youtube or run Apps like DittoTV, ErosNow, HotStar, Hungama, Netflix and SonyLiv. From devotional songs to kids gaming to Skype – iRevo Smart TV has something for everyone in the family to enjoy. iRevo SmartTV model with IR Remote is available at a street price under Rs. 6,000 and with Air Mouse at around Rs. 6,500/-
Both products have received a number of positive reviews and product recommendations by print media, online media, and bloggers since its launch.
All iRevo Smart devices come with 1 Year warranty and telephone and e-mail based support.
 About iRevo Multimedia:
iRevo is founded by an experienced team of Silicon Valley professionals with depth and breadth of knowledge in the area of Consumer, Internet and Device technologies. The team is further strengthened via addition of senior Marketing and Engineering management in India. iRevo is one of a handful of companies that embraced the Cloud based approach (Web Technologies) for TV Everywhere & Smart Devices initiatives, including supporting of mobile devices. We are the inventors of TelePlay screen shifting technology that enables you to browse on your mobile device and play on your TV for multi-screen user experience. The Company is working on a number of initiatives; including TV Everywhere and IoT driven by Cloud managed Smart Devices. For further details visit: http://in.irevomm.com
Upcoming Artist on the Block- Bahaar Dhawan

Upcoming Artist on the Block- Bahaar Dhawan

Bahaar is a self-taught Artist whose works are embed with soul and passion. She has taken the path of a full-time artist only since June 2015 prior to which she spent over five years working with leading law firm Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas. While her stint at Amarchand gave her the opportunity to work on several high stake matters, earning her plenty client recognition; painting remained in her heart and soul.
 

Each canvas is brought to life under Bahaar’s artistic strokes, which are bold, visceral and dramatic. Her art is unique and her style extremely versatile. She is a fearless and uses a range of different mediums. After years of practising law, she has developed an innate sense of storytelling through her works. 
Bahaar’s work is truthful and self reflective, whether it is incandescent murmurings from the animals filled with a flurry of colours and quirk, her meditative abstracts which are loaded with texture or the tranquillizing faces. Her art takes you into a trance yet leaves you fulfilled with inner bliss. The range of expression clearly demonstrate that her art knows no boundaries, no silver linings yet the recourse to what we face every day is so recognizable. Bahaar’s is a quest that goes beyond form, yet pulsates with an awareness of a larger order, revealing gleaming epiphanies. Each of her work is a reflection of her energetic personality, which is experimental and spontaneous.
 
Bahaar’s Mentors: 
Bahaar’s paintings are an outcome of the marriage of very different disciplines, law and the freedom of an artist detached from straightjacket of definition and boundaries. She is also greatly influenced by Scandinavian and American contemporary artists. Hence, an important part of Bahaar’s work is transfiguration of the perceived form, almost like deconstruction and abstract expressionism. She is also an avid admirer of Late Mr. J.Sabavala’s and Mr. Shakti Burman’s artworks amongst the Indian artists. 

Her work can be viewed at
Organic Farmer’s Market on 30th Jan at IHC

Organic Farmer’s Market on 30th Jan at IHC

There is increasing evidence to suggest good and healthy food is a scarce commodity. Centre for Science and Environment’s research has found various contaminants and unwanted substances in human food – be it antibiotics or pesticides, to name a few of these. In order to further its objective of promoting natural and good food, CSE is organising a Farmers’ Market on January 30. The event will be held at India Habitat Centre’s Margosa lawns from 10 in the morning to 3 in the afternoon. The participants in the Farmers’ Market will include individual farmers, farmer collectives like Kheti Virasat. On display and available for purchase will be their produce such as grains and vegetables. Visitors will also have the option of sampling dishes made out of natural ingredients.



Underlining the importance of good food, CSE Director General Sunita Narain said, “We eat relatively good homemade and locally grown food only because we are not rich. As we proceed on the wealth ladder, the business of food also changes—moves to industrial and processed food. Unfortunately, this also means we will move down the food-nutrition ladder unless we put protective systems in place. CSE has been a strong advocate of what we call ‘good food’ – food that is good for nature (rich in biodiversity), nutrition (not junk food and without poisons) and livelihoods (where local people derive benefits). A few years ago, we published our book, First Food, in which we celebrated the diversity of such food and recipes from across the country. To take this work forward we are organising an Organic Farmers’ Market.”
The Farmers’ Market will have a number of educative demonstrations for visitors. These will include: how to make your own compost, how to put together the right ingredients for a pot to grow plants, how to create a healthy plate and a cooking demonstration on millets, among others. The theme for the Farmers’ Market is millets.
Said Narain, “How can we continue to eat local food, built on local biodiversity? How do we improve food safety without deploying inspectors who destroy small and local good food businesses, but do not hurt the ever-evolving and sophisticated industry of global food? These are critical questions. We are running out of time in the food-health trajectory.”
The stalls at the Farmers’ Market will sell various products such as organic vegetables, millets, dishes staples, breads and dairy products. Sessions on traditional and natural food, food and health, air pollution and other issues important in preserving good health will be held. Some well-known personalities from the world of food will deliver talks and participate in the event.
CSE’s Programme Director for the Environmental Education programme, Ranjita Menon said, “Good food is all around us. For generations, Indians have incorporated biodiversity in their daily food – using millets instead of wheat or rice, eating vegetables sourced from forests rather than farms, eating local food and changing their diet with changing seasons.”
Event Highlights:
  • Organic Farmers’ Market to be held on January 30 at Margosa Lawn, India Habitat Centre
  • Visitors will have the opportunity to learn about healthy and natural food
  • Stalls will sell farmers’ produce and also hold live cooking demonstrations
  • Moving up wealth ladder leads to abandoning of natural food, says Sunita Narain
Event Details:
Organic Farmer’s Market by Centre for Science and Environment
on January 30, 2016 to promote good food
at Margosa Lawn, Habitat World, India Habitat Centre ( Entry from Gate No. 2)
Free Entry
Time: 10:00 am- 3:00 pm
Bear Grylls Takes Hollywood Celebrities To the Wild

Bear Grylls Takes Hollywood Celebrities To the Wild

Kate Winslet, Kate Hudson, Ed Helms, James Manderson, Jesse Tyler Ferguson and other renowned personalities take on a one-on-one adventure challenge of surviving the wild with Bear Grylls
Famed adventurer and survivalist Bear Grylls returns for a second season of ‘RUNNING WILD WITH BEAR GRYLLS’. The programme will take eight of Hollywood’s biggest celebrities and sports stars into the most pristine locations around the world for a 48-hour journey. RUNNING WILD WITH BEAR GRYLLS will premiere February 1 on Discovery Channel and will air Monday to Friday at 7 pm.


The celebrities that will join the survival expert Bear Grylls in the season II are Oscar-winning actress Kate Winslet, Oscar nominee Kate Hudson, ‘Hangover’ star Ed Helms, Emmy nominee and ‘Modern Family’ star Jesse Tyler Ferguson, ‘Furious 7’ star Michelle Rodriguez, Super Bowl-winning quarterback Drew Brees, and award-winning film and television actors James Marsden of X-Men: Days of Future Past and Michael B. Jordan of ‘Fantastic Four’.
Together, they will tests their survival skills and mental and physical limits as they enter into uncharted territory and wilderness. From skydiving into the Catskill Mountains, to rappelling down the cliffs of Utah and battling torrential wind and rain in Scotland, Bear Grylls and each celebrity will push themselves to the limit in some of the extreme environments to successfully complete their journey.
Commenting on the programme, Rahul Johri, EVP & GM – South Asia, Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific said, “Discovery Channel continues to offer differentiated content that delivers supreme viewing experience to our viewers. The new season of RUNNING WILD WITH BEAR GRYLLS will show leading celebrities challenge themselves in the harsh wilderness.”
Join the action-filled one-hour episodes every Monday to Friday at 7 pm on Discovery Channel, Discovery Tamil and Discovery HD World from February 1.
About Discovery Channel
Discovery Channel, the flagship network of Discovery Communications, is devoted to creating the highest quality pay-TV programming in the world and remains one of the most dynamic networks on television. First launched in 1985, Discovery Channel reaches 210 million subscribers in Asia Pacific. It offers viewers an engaging line-up of high-quality non-fiction entertainment from blue-chip nature, science and technology, ancient and contemporary history, adventure, cultural and topical documentaries.
Ordering home-style food made simple with Biteclub.in

Ordering home-style food made simple with Biteclub.in

What do you do, when you wanna have home style food, but not wanna cook either, or when you crave for some simple regional food, but don’t want to visit that fancy restaurant, or when you want to eat home style food while in office and you didn’t get your tiffin..or worse still, when your maid doesn’t show up and you don’t know how to cook..
You crib..crib and crib more..
But ta daa.. you no longer need to crib.. www.biteclub.in has made it really simple and convenient for us.



Biteclub is a Gurgaon based marketplace for chef prepared meals, which has daily menu options of different meals to choose from. The menu options are plenty and range from India food to Oriental and Italian etc. and also the food is quite reasonable making it very pocket friendly.
They recently launched a campaign called Musafir Hoon Yaaron.. an innovative food tour that will offer a chance to Delhi NCR residents to sample scrumptious, home style regional cuisines.
I ordered on a day when Punjabi Cuisine was the highlight. I must admit that when I was looking through the menu of the day, the options were many, and all of them looked very tempting and inviting. After a lot of head spinning, I opted for Mutton Gushtaba and Ghee Rice by Chef Gautam Jana, and Veg & Paneer Jalfarazi, Dal Makhani, Jeera Rice & Methi Parantha Combo by Chef Shivani Sahni for the mains and Gajar Ka Halwa and Death by Chocolate Cake for dessert.
Before time delivery of the order was the first thing that I loved about ordering from Biteclub. The hygienic and neat packaging of food spoke volumes about the quality assured by the brand.


The food was exactly the way I expected it to be, nothing out of the world and fancy about it, but simple and home style tasty.
The mutton gushtaba was good to taste, but had a little too runny gravy, I personally feel that it could have been a little thicker, but nevertheless, with ghee rice, it tasted just right.
The paneer jalfarazi and dal makhani were just the way we cook at home, and the methi paranthas were great too.
The gajar ka halwa too had this home made feeling to it, and was nothing like those over dose of mawa halwas that we get in markets, sweet shops and restaurants. It was simply awesome, but the show stealer of the day was the death by chocolate cake. It was a real mouth melting experience. I just could not get over it for a long time and wanted more of it.









I am definitely ordering from Biteclub again, to explore new menus, other chefs and the death by chocolate cake and will also recommend to all my friends and colleagues.
Do give it a try..!!