After a month long sacred month of Ramzan, its time to break the fast, and Eid-Ul-Fitar marks breaking of this fast. On this occasion, FunFoods by Dr. Oetker recommends tasty desserts which are mouthwatering, easy to make, and would allow you to enjoy the festival as well with your loved ones. And whats an Eid without Seviyaan. So here are not one but two drool worthy recipes, shared especially for you!
Shahi Lucknowi Seviyaan Recipe by Chef Ranveer Brar, Creative Kitchen, Dr. Oetker FunFoods
Servings: 2
Ingredients:
500 ml Full Cream Milk
50 g Almonds, chopped
50 g Cashewnuts, chopped
60 g Roasted Vermicelli
1 tbsp Condensed Milk
1 tbsp Sugar
50 g (3 tbsp) Dr. Oetker FunFoods Milk Shake Mix Kesar Pista
½ tsp Kewra Water
1 tbsp Pistachio, chopped
Directions:
Heat saucepan (low flame) add milk, almonds, cashewnuts and vermicelli. Let it cook for 5 minutes or until milk starts to boil.
Add condensed milk, sugar and milk shake mix. Cook for 5 minutes or until Milk shake mix is dissolved completely and mixture is thick in consistency.
Pour kewra water and mix well. Garnish with pistachio and serve.
Level: Beginner
Preparation Time: 5 Minutes
Cooking Time: 10 Minutes
Gulab Kheer Recipe by Chef Ranveer Brar, Creative Kitchen, Dr. Oetker FunFoods
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
1 Litre, Full Cream Milk
100 g Rice, washed and soaked for 30 minutes
100 g Sugar
1 tsp Green Cardamon Powder
8-10 nos. Cashewnuts, chopped
60 g (4 tbsp) Dr. Oetker FunFoods Milk Shake Mix Rose
5 nos. Almonds, chopped
Directions:
Bring milk to boil in a large saucepan.
Add rice, sugar, cardamom powder, cashewnuts and rose milk shake mix. Simmer over low heat until the mixture thickens and the rice is cooked completely.
Pour the mixture into serving bowls. Refrigerate it for 2 hours, garnish it with almonds and serve.
Between the rising temperatures outside the house and the increasing need for trendy, beautiful clothes, summer chic styles are becoming ever more popular. Dressing for the office, especially, is becoming a difficult business! You don’t want too many layers, nor do you want too little as the air conditioning in the office is cranked up to counteract the heat from the sun outside. Choosing your daily workwear may get difficult as the warmer months draw in and accessorising your outfits can also be hard as you have to find a good, professional balance!
Revamping your closets with Daisy Dukes and long, flowy boho tops is one thing for casual looks, but how do you accessorize? Your usual neckerchief or patterned stockings won’t have a place in the heat, but boho bracelets and delicate flower garlands for your hair like these ones can step into the spotlight! Summer time is a time for lighter, flowing styles and you have to push your comfort zone to get that summer chic look. So, how can you change your usual dress to match a trend that is so popular?
White. In the heat, wearing light colours is a must. White is one of the purest you can wear and it is so fashionable, especially against a gorgeous summer tan. It looks fresh, clean and can really make accessories with colours and metallic hues stand out. Floaty summer dresses in white are often on the catwalk, and your summer chic look can really pop with white trainers paired against denim shorts. You can’t go wrong with white for your summer wardrobe!
Stripes. Most people would go against stripes for their summer wardrobe, but it’s all about choices. When you have an outfit with vertical stripes, you can accessorize any style of stripes with nautical accessories like these and they look fresh!
Boho. Crop tops and long, flowing skirts are an absolute essential for that boho summer look. Pair these with long chain necklaces and drop earrings for a fashionable look that is on point for the whole summer.
Shoes. Summertime is all about comfort and staying cool, so sandals are in and trainers are out. flat sandals like these can match the colours of your summer accessories, so don’t be afraid to decorate your outfit in any way that can match your shoes!
Bag. While you’re on the subject of accessorizing your outfit, choosing a bag that is lightweight and colourful to reflect the summer. Ditch the backpack and go for a lightweight tote. Again, colour should be bold and reflective of your personality as well as the sunshine outside.
Whether you are thinking about your casual summer look or your work outfit, the key is cool, casual and chic colours and additions to each outfit from head to toe. Caring about how you have dressed is wonderful and you can really show off your style when you go all out this summer time!
Located in the Aurobindo Complex, Hauzkhas, this place has by far one of the best terraces that I know of. Once you climb up, trust me you don’t want to leave. The view is just awesome and even when its hot out there, they have amazing mist fans, that make you feel as if you sitting in a hill station.
Coming to food, they offer European and Continental food with main focus on finger food and smaller plates and burgers, pizzas, hotdogs make for the mains.
We started by ordering Thai Style Chicken Wings, Spicy Kafir Lime Fried Chicken and Sichuan Style Gyoza Dumplings. The wings were nice and juicy and I really liked them. The Kafir Lime Chicken was overpowered with the kafir lime flavour and spices, and hence I did not like it much. The dumplings were good, but I wish the filling was spiced a little better.
Followed this was the Chicken Caesar Salad and Roasted Beetroot, Pumpkin, Rocket Leaves & Feta Salad and both the salads were awesome, especially the Beetroot salad, absolutely refreshing and flavoursome.
Next we settled for the Mezze Platter, both veg and non-veg and both were delicious. BBQ Ribs and Sichuan Pepper Pork Bao with Green Apples, these both were the winner dishes. You really can’t miss them. The Ribs were so delicious and juicy and so was the bao. The green apple added a different layer of flavouring to the juicy pork, which was a nice change.
We tried a half and half pizza with Double Pepperoni and Bolognese Smoked Cheese and also the BBQ Chicken Pizza. The pizzas were superb. Thin crust, crispy and the toppings were great. I loved all three flavours and its hard to choose which was the best, but if I have to be partial even by 1 percent, it would be the BBQ chicken pizza. BBQ Chicken, Caramelised Onions and Blue Cheese, made for a deadly combo.
For burgers, we tried the Pulled Tandoori Chicken and Bacon Burger & the Pulled Pork Khao Suey Burger. I was personally a bit disappointed with the tandoori chicken burger, as it did not meet my expectations. Can’t say that it was bad, but somehow it did not gel well with my taste buds. The pork burger was definitely a good one. Even the vegetarians have the Beetroot burger to look upto, my friends said it was awesome.
For drinks I tried the Spicy Mango, followed by a Water Melon Mojito and both were really good. For desserts we tried the Poached Pear and Apples with Rum Soaked Sultanas, Raspberry Puree and Ice Cream and also the Bandstand Chocolate Brownie Sundae. Both the desserts were nice but could have been a little better. The Poached Pear dessert was definitely more innovative and tasty than the brownie sundae. The brownie sundae wasn’t bad at all, but it was just a regular dish.
This place surely calls for a visit if you haven’t been already, and a visit again, if you have been there before. I thoroughly enjoyed my time here and especially the ambience was so good at the terrace that I wanna go again soon. Bandstand also keeps bringing great artists from time to time, so if you love music, this is the place for you.
Being a grown-up isn’t as fun as we thought it would be when we were kids. Back in the day, we had other people (i.e. our parents!) who were basically pushing us along and making us do all these things that are good for us. They made sure we went to the doctor when we were ill, they made sure we went to the dentist… but once you’re an adult, you end up neglecting to do a bunch of things you should be doing.
It’s not so much laziness, of course; a lot of us know that there are a bunch of things we need to stop putting off. Life just tends to get in the way. The following things feel like chores, and that’s really the last thing with which we want to concern ourselves during our time off.
We’re going to take a quick look at a bunch of unfun,uncomfortable, yet important things you’ve probably been putting off for quite some time.
Writing a will
We might as well get the most unfun one out of the way first, right? No-one really wants to sit there and write a will. Speaking practically and in a business-like manner about what will happen when you die? No, thank you. But the problem is that this is one of the most important responsibilities adults have. You can read more about writing one at nolo.com. If you die without a will, then the state basically gets to decide what happens to your assets – and they’ll often take a healthy portion for themselves.
Going to your doctor and getting a physical is hardly the most comfortable thing ever, but it’s something you should definitely be doing at least once a year or two. Perhaps the most common reason people avoid it is cost, but a lot of people are simply avoiding it because… well, who likes going to the doctor and getting inspected so thoroughly? But, as emedicinehealth.com highlights, a checkup can help catch any problems as early as possible. Just remember not to go overboard; more than once a year is probably too much!
Seeing the dentist
The dentist is as close to a classic “not-yet-but-soon” activity as you’re going to get. Why do people put off going to the dentist so often? There are a couple of reasons. It could be that they simply don’t like their dentist very much. This is why you need to ensure that you explore all your options. There are plenty of dental practices out there that have a reputation for friendliness; you can read more over at dentistryofboulder.com. Another reason is that people tend to underestimate how important oral health is. Remember: there’s a strong link between oral health and heart health. This is precisely why you’re flossing every day. You are flossing every day, right?
Finally, exercising more seems to be on a lot of people’s to-do list, but they’re forever putting it off. Maybe they don’t have the time, or they’re not getting enough sleep and so feel lethargic all the time, or they’re simply underestimating the importance of daily exercise. Whatever your excuse is, it probably isn’t good enough. Get out there and get that blood pumping!
Bloating. Constipation. Stomach aches. Gas. They are all very annoying in their own way, but gut health is about a lot more than just how often you encounter those issues. It’s about enjoying your life, getting in better shape, avoiding sickness, and even dealing with long-term health issues. Here, we’ll look at why you should be more concerned about your gut health.
If you experience the problems mentioned above on a more regular basis, then there might be a couple of reasons. For one, you might eat gassy foods that get in the way of your digestive system working properly. Stress might be shutting down that system. Or you might be dealing with irritable bowel syndrome. The word syndrome makes it sound scary and chronic, but it can be easily dealt with through an IBS natural treatment that targets not only the symptoms but the causes. If you’re dealing with gut problems often, it’s best to get it diagnosed as quickly as possible so you can take preemptive action against it.
Sleeping issues
Poor gut health often plays a key role in insomnia, as well. In return, not getting the correct amount of sleep then makes your digestive system less effective at its job. The two issues need to be tackled together. For one, schedule your meals more regularly and give yourself two-to-three hours between your last meal and bedtime. Improve sleeping habits by tracking your sleep cycles and using therapeutic methods like lavender scents to easier fall asleep at night.
Your gut is the key to the rest of your health. That’s because your stomach and intestines are the stars of the show when it comes to absorbing nutrients from the stuff that you eat. Find out what probiotic and prebiotic foods you can include more of in your diet. These foods help create a home for the helpful bacteria that assist in breaking down food properly, allowing your body to better absorb them. If you’re not looking after your gut health, you will never get the full effects of a nutritious and well-balanced diet.
Stop reaching for those tissues
Good gut health also plays a role in helping you stay healthy in general. It’s no understatement when experts say that the gut is where sickness begins. Bacterial diseases, colds, and the flu all have their beginnings here. By helping promote your gut health, you are also promoting a more effective immune system. Beyond the aforementioned healthy foods, you should also look at increasing the amount of vitamin C you get and consider taking fish oil. You’ll start seeing the effects when you breeze past all the bugs and maladies that seem to get everyone else in the family and the workplace.
Foster healthy bacteria in your gut. Avoid foods and habits that get in the way of a healthy digestive system. Sleep better, get better results from health pushes and get sick less often. These are all the things that good gut health can help you with.
There aren’t any shortcuts to losing weight, the body is too complex and by its design, has not evolved to take on massive changes so suddenly. As we get older, although in our youth we may have been spritely and full of energy, a more mature body slows down. Metabolism is the process in the body which breaks down chemicals in order for life to be sustained. Exercising regularly and getting plenty of sleep, are ways which control your energy consumption needs at a molecular level. However, not everyone can lead an active lifestyle and have the time to workout to keep those extra pounds off. But there are certain foods which speed up metabolism, thus accelerating the breaking down of the food you eat, making the energy more viable to be used than be stored; these foods support the mechanisms that will aid in burning fat.
Hot peppers such as jalapeno, green Indian chillies, cayenne and spicy Italian red chillies directly tell your metabolism to speed its circulation. The spicy nature of these vegetables also reduces cravings, for sugar and fatty foods. It’s because the compound capsaicin stimulates the body’s pain receptors and the body reacts to this by increasing blood circulation and the metabolic rate. Some studies have shown that if you eat a chilli dish, that makes you profusely sweat to the point you get a runny nose, it boosts your metabolism by nearly 20% and can last for 2 hours.
Softly softly approach
If you would really not go down the no pain no gain route, whole grains can act just as effectively but in different ways. Oatmeal and brown rice complex carbohydrates which force the body to speed up metabolism by stabilizing your insulin levels. Because, of their slow burn nature, they’re great ingredients for a meal to have with supplements such as HCG Triumph. The body’s natural processes of burning fat are combined with a low-calorie intake diet, that spikes your consumption rate. This the two methods balance each other out by the complex carbohydrates releasing slowly, yet the supplement hastening digestion.
Acidic fruits
Knowledge coming out of the State University of Rio de Janeiro has found that women who eat three small apples, pears, tomatoes and oranges lost more weight than those who did not. The obvious reason is because of the acidity of the fruit, reacts with the stomach’s own acid, creating a calm but turbulent metabolic rate. Whipping into action are enzymes which break food down, and the faster that happens, the quicker the nutrients enter into your intestines. Organic apples are one of the most available fruits in any shopping market, so you can’t complain about not have access to a simple solution to burning fat.
Come summer vacations and parents start thinking of places to amuse their children and give them some entertainment value, and I am no different. I always try to explore some new places where the child can have fun to the fullest and also we as adults can spend a good time and Hangout is definitely one such option.
With 6 different segments, it has something to offer to all age groups, whether its a kindergarten , a teen ager or an adult. There are enough gaming options to satiate different needs. Also the sports diner gives a chance to indulge in good food and drinks for everyone and more especially the adults can relax over a drink or two while the kids try their hands at different games.
The 6 different segments making this very unique Family Entertainment Center, The VR Zone-brings in a 360 degree turning roller coaster that replicates a real rollercoaster. The VR Roller coaster simulator is full motion cockpit, where riders can program their own journey by selecting track pieces. Every loop, leap, and lunge is seen on huge HD projection screen. The VR Zone also boasts of the VR shooting a 360 degree head turning shooting game & a 6-seater VR ride with the Virtual glasses, bringing virtual reality into the entertainment industry & more virtual games & rides under one roof. In addition to this The Sports Diner has the 1st black light arena bowling with UV lights, neon balls, black light reflecting carpet, lanes, capping, side painted walls to give you the 1st of its kind neon bowling experience as its 2nd segment called the Hi Lanes Bowling, with 4 lanes each catering to 6 players with full seating capacity & service & party area. We ourselves had a lot of fun enjoying a couple of bowling games, it was after years that I played it again, and I thoroughly loved going back to it.
The Private party & Pool table area is the 3rd segment where interestingly the pool tables convert into dining tables if your requirement is not to play, with choice of games like beer pong, beer buck it, electronic darts, you sure can have a party for grownups here while the kids have a separate floor upstairs on the 4th floor called Hang Out kids.
The fully stocked bar made of individual wine corks and changing LED light pillars adds character to the place with its high tables seating is a perfect place to grab a bite or catch the happy hour. The dining area has 6 seater family booths promoting mealtimes with family and friends. The game room at the SD is different from the a-typical HangOut kids these games are selected keeping the grown-ups in mind, with bar stools and drink service in the game room we saw many grown-ups enjoying playing to win the prizes at the Winners Corner. The Winners corner has prizes to be won ranging from pens to a steam iron, power banks & you may even win an I-pad too, all you need to do it get lucky on those games. The staircase separates and segregates and yet connects the Hang Out kids upstairs a full floor catering to 10 and under with games, rides, playgrounds and lots more which is again is carefully selected keeping their tender age & requirement in mind.
My son enjoyed games like Slot Machine, Spinning the Wheel and Claw Machine. What he enjoyed most was winning tickets with each game, which could later be redeemed for exciting gifts. He collected around 2800 points and redeemed it for a magnetic dart board and a fidget spinner. I personally think that this concept attracts kids a lot.
The food at sports diner was also commendable. We tried a variety of things and in starters I would like to recommend the non veg platter and the chicken dim sums. They were really nice. For main course my recommendations would be the Mutton Burger, and Mutton Lasagne, Keema Pao and Butter Chicken.
Completing the Entertainment needs and living up to its promise of ever evolving & bringing in the newest there is to offer in terms of technology and entertainment Hang Out yet once again opened doors to 2 floors, The Sports Diner & Hang Out kids offering a one stop shop in Entertainment.
Baaya Design has launched the ‘Anantaya’ concept studio, Jaipur based décor brand in Mumbai. Anantaya Décor products will now be available exclusively at Baaya Design Store, Lower Parel. ‘Anantaya’ fuses the art of master artisans with the keen eye of award- winning designers. The final effect is a timeless masterpiece that beautifies any space it adorns. An institution of global repute, ‘Anantaya’ is committed to the development of ideas, and understands the importance of preservation of traditional crafts as well as the need to innovate. Using unusual yet traditional materials and processes, the designers present a fresh twist to design with an array of cutting edge artefacts, accessories, textiles, lighting solutions, furniture and many more utility products.
Representing Indian sensibilities in a contemporary context, Anantaya products appeals to the discerning, quality conscious minds that like to make a statement. Working with crafts people and artisans from Rajasthan, ‘Anantaya’ supports local craft traditions and technologies by providing capital, technology and design and marketing interventions, which at the same time showcase the uniqueness of the state and its crafts people.
Lift Top Lau Diya Br Oil Lamps:
Lau, (the flame), a double walled oil lamp made in copper and brass by the Thathera artisans of Jaipur, is an exquisite utilitarian object. Designed by Ayush Kasliwal, the first version of this lamp is gilded with gold and silver leaf. This version of the Lau Diya is simplified with the top detachable. Lau Diya has been awarded with the UNESCO Seal of Excellence for its’ innovative sustainable design. Available in three sizes, it is to be lit using liquid paraffin lamp oil only such as Amaya Luminessences. Before lighting, ensure that the wick is trimmed and not more than 1 mm above the wickholder. It is natural for the products to have subtle variations from piece to piece. Due to the nature of the materials used, there may be some tarnishing or aging of the material. This is a natural process and may require you to clean or polish the material.
Trinetra 10 Set of 3
An elegant trio of hand-hammered brass bowls inspired by Shiva’s third eye of enlightenment are a modern twist to the Thathera craft of Jaipur. These appear like mystical eyes, with lit marble tea light holders- an “eyeball” reflecting Lord Shiva’s inner light and spirit. Use all three pods strung together with hanging rods, in multiples as an installation or use them individually as vases, bowls. Trinetra is the artistic vision of the designer Ayush Kasliwal, a visionary Indian industrial designer who is keeping the traditional skills of local craftsmen alive with the creation of modern objects having a global impact. It is the winner of the UNESCO Seal of Excellence.An elegant trio of hand-hammered brass bowls inspired by Shiva’s third eye of enlightenment, are a modern twist to the Thathera craft of Jaipur.
Crescent Thaali Set Full
The Crescent Thaali Set inspired by classic pearl earrings from Deccan is wonderfully versatile. Configured as a crescent moon nestling a full moon with a built in carrying handle, this set is a piece of art. Made of sturdy brass hand hammered by the Thathera metal artisans, with traditional ‘kalai’ hand-tinning for food safety, this thaali set will serve directly from the kitchen, become an intriguing welcoming tray, or a presentation of delectable appetizers for your guests.
Shiva Jug
Shiva, the Auspicious One, has the water of the Ganges flowing from his dreadlocks. And so, healthful water will flow from this brilliantly designed handmade copper pitcher with an elegant balanced lid. Like the ‘Khamandalam’ a Yogi’s copperAyurveda water vessel, copper has healing properties contributing to longevity and restorative health. To complete this experience, an elegant copper tray is paired with copper glasses offset from their round bases to hug the form of the Shiva Jug. To clean, scrub with sponge and liquid detergent
Kalam Table- Maharaja
Kalam or pen is one of the tools used by the miniature painter who decorated this multifunctional reinterpretation of the wooden lacquer trays used in traditional Indian kitchens. In this painted table tray a Bhisthi is watering the garden while the Maharaja and his advisor look on. This example of functional art can be detached and used as a colorful food safe tray to present guests with dry delicacies. The table collapses for easy transport across the globe.
Ayush Kasliwal Furniture Design
Rumi Tea Light holder
Like the Sufi whirling dervishes.. the Rumi range is remniscent of the inner light and spiritual oneness…12 varieties of designs span the arches and motifs across the silk route. Can hold tealight candles too.
About Baaya Design:
‘Baaya’ in a local Indian language refers to the weaver bird that weaves its nest in a rather unique way. The store brings you the best in Indian Tribal art and craft which combines paintings with textiles and other craft forms to make each piece unique. Baaya Design aims to showcase the natural beauty and workmanship in Tribal Art by presenting them in contemporary colors, style and form. By doing so, it offers original art that all of us can relate to. And with every painting that is purchased, you can bring income to a highly deserving individual – the artisan of India. The store provides customized design and implementation of traditional murals for interior and exteriors of homes and corporate offices.
Baaya Design studio offers a completely unique range of customized, Folk & Cultural Art, Art Installations, Murals, Lights, Accessories and Furniture that can transform any space into energized, living environments. The studio offers expertise to residences, commercial spaces and the hospitality industry. Designer Shibani Jain works with architects and interior designers to create optimized and aesthetic solutions for interiors. Faced with the challenge of customizing Indian Folk art in modern lifestyle spaces, Baaya Design has evolved numerous methodologies and processes to innovate and bring in the versatile skills into urban interiors.
Food is a huge part of life; not only does it provide us with sustenance to live but for most people, it can be a very social thing too. We all know the importance of teaching our children to make healthy decisions, but did you know that it’s not just what’s on their plate that matters? Experts suggest that eating dinner as a family is highly beneficial too. Not only does this help us to teach our children good habits with food but it keeps families close and bonded as well. Plus children who eat with the family tend to consume healthier foods with more vegetables and less salt, sugar and saturated fat. If family meals have fallen by the wayside, here are a few tips for getting back on track.
Keep The Atmosphere Light and Friendly
Try to keep heated debates and discussions away from the dinner table. Keeping the vibe light and friendly will make family dinner times much more enjoyable, rather than something the family shies away from. If you have any serious topics to discuss with your kids or partner, call a family meeting rather than doing it over dinner. Switch off the tv, and instead put some music on low if you want a bit of background noise. Make a rule that there are no phones or tablets at the dinner table, it should be a place without distractions where you can chat and enjoy your food.
Aim To Eat At Least One Meal Together on Most Days
When everyone is busy and has different schedules, eating together every day probably isn’t going to be practical. But you should aim to eat together most days, whether that’s in the morning or the evening. It doesn’t have to be anything too fancy, for a weekday breakfast a couple of cereal options and a bowl of fresh chopped fruit everyone can spoon on top should do the trick. Or a few slices of toast with some tea and juice. The act of getting everyone together to enjoy this time is beneficial, it doesn’t have to be over a feast each day.
Dine Out Together
Dining out as a family is a wonderful treat. Tasty food served with no dishes to tackle afterward- bliss! While it can be expensive, it’s so nice to do every once in a while. If you look at online menu prices before deciding on a venue, you can work out roughly how much it’s going to cost. As you can see from Dave and Busters menu, there are some lower cost dishes as well as more expensive options, so it all depends on what you’re looking to spend. Just about everyone enjoys a meal out, so the perfect way to treat the family and get some all-important bonding time in.
Younger children will usually be more open to foods they have helped to prepare. When time allows it, you could have them help you wash vegetables or do a couple of simple tasks in the kitchen. Different family members could take it in turns to set the table or pour drinks. It helps to teach responsibility and helps you to all get into a routine when it comes to mealtimes.
Two passionate foodies and marketing experts came together to make this Father’s Day a memorable one by organising a live cook off in association with Crowne Plaza, Gurgaon. I joined hands with Foodmaniacs, founded by Vickrham, who is a well known face in the food marketing & PR industry and a renowned blogger, to create a beautiful event dedicated to Fathers. We thought of giving a tribute to fathers and dedicating a dish to them by participating in a live cook off. We together conceptualised the event and invited participants through a small contest on Facebook. To grace the occasion and make it a healthy competition, we invited Master Chef Season 5 Star Siddharth Talwar, who along with Executive Chef Nilesh Dey of Crowne Plaza, made for the judges panel.
Total of 8 contestants participated in the live cook off. A market place with choicest of ingredients was created for people to select from as they had to cook on spot using those available ingredients only. Some strict rules were laid by Chef Nilesh and Chef Siddharth, primary one being controlled use of ingredients and no wastage. The cook off was judged on criterions of presentation, wastage, cleanliness of workstations and of course taste and innovation of the dish.
Participants were given a time span of 1 hour in which 10 minutes were to explore the market place and pick up the ingredients. Rest of the time was to be used for preparation, cooking and presentation. Individual workstations equipped with induction stoves, essential utensils, chopping boards etc were provided to all participants. There were also arrangements for using the oven, grills and high flame stoves. I have to say that the arrangements by Crowne Plaza were impeccable. Each and everything was taken care of, from hygiene station offering aprons, chef caps, to gloves and the fully functional workstations, all was done with extreme professionalism.
A wonderful contest too place between the participants, where in every one crafted beautiful dishes, made not just with ingredients but lots of love, dedicating the dishes to their fathers. It was a tough time for judges to figure out which was the best dish, because trust me I am not boasting, but each and every dish was truly remarkable. The presentation, the taste, and the overall selection of dishes prepared by participants was done with such expertise that it seemed as if a mini- master chef episode is in progress. After a lot of tussle, judges finally decided to give way not one but two prizes as choosing one did not seem justified. Even those who did not win, were still winners as the gap was just about1-2 marks here and there.
Sandeep Batra, who cooked GolMirch Chicken and Rita Arora, who prepared a lovely Chicken Roulade were declared as top winners, but like I said, others too were winners in their own regards. We got to taste some lovely and unique dishes like South Indian Style Pasta, Laal Maas, Fried Fish with Coconut Sauce, Tamatar Jeera Chicken, Chicken Koftas and some Juicy Chicken Legs.
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We also got to try and taste amazing Grilled Chicken Sandwiches prepared by two lovely kids Myeshha, Vickrham’s daughter and Armaan, my son, who dedicated these dishes to their respective fathers, oops sorry, in Armaan’s case he dedicated it to me only as I am a single parent 🙂
The winner announcement was then followed by a high tea session, where in we got to interact with participants, try their delectable dishes, and also indulge in some lip smacking snacks served by Crowne Plaza. The winners carried beautiful hampers back home and the bloggers were given a lovely cake by the hotel. Even the children were given special packs of chocolates as a wonderful gesture by the hotel.
Overall it turned out to be a great event, much greater than my expectations and through my post I would like to thank first and foremost my partner in crime Vickrham for his support and belief. Crowne Plaza for believing in our concept and becoming our hospitality partners, all the participants, without whom this won’t have been possible, bloggers and media for making the buzz about the event, keep doing it guys, thanks to you all, and last but not the least, the PR team of Crowne Plaza, Chef Nilesh Dey and Master Chef Siddharth Talwar for being part of our event. Also a big thank you to all the fathers of the world, for just being what they are, and of course my father too! Look forward to many more events together.
