Holy Ramzan month is around the corner. What better time to celebrate the cuisines of the Nizams and the Awadh. So it is that Sheraton Bangalore has curated another gastronomic extravagance revolving around Hyderabadi and Lucknowi food.
You will see fragrant, redolent, rich, and such adjectives being used repeatedly below. That should give you a good idea of what to expect at the Food Festival! Also unique here, is the presence of the Chefs, heroes who often are never in the limelight. It was a great initiative to bring them out of the kitchens and gave us a peek into the intricacies of the dishes.
Rose milk to set the note for fragrant courses to follow.
Warqi parathas – flaky, aromatic from the cardamom, great foil to the smooth-as-silk galouti kababs. Special baingan bharta, an exotic cousin of the Punjabi bharta we are more familiar with. Chef Jebin Robert deftly made the galouti kababs. His passion for his job was so evident!
Tafta – A unique sweet yeasted bun. Aromatic, pillowy soft. Served with Nalli Nihari. A specialty by Chef Ansari Ali.
The Chef also demonstrated the making of Roomali roti much to our delight. Flair and panache was evident in full measure. With practised ease, he made it look like child’s play. But one attempt by a blogger told us how difficult it is.
With Ramzan, can Haleem be far behind? The huge Lagaans for making the perfect haleem were brought in from Lucknow exclusively for the event. Chef Maksood is a soft-spoken, smiling person. Do not be fooled though! He can make a mean haleem, is a master of the Kachi Gosht Biryani and together with Chef Fahim Qureshi, had also made a perfect Subz Hariyali Biryani. It’s vivid hue was inviting. The flavours lived up to my expectations. Gentle aromas of green herbs, perfectly cooked rice, accompanied by an enticing whiff of the Chef’s specially created spice blends.
Zarda Pulao, a fitting dessert. Sweetened with date puree and sugar, richly imbued with the hue and aroma of saffron, topped with chironjee, and dry fruits fried in ghee. Also on the dessert menu were matka kulfi and phirni. That the milk was patiently reduced by boiling and that the best quality of pistachios were used in the kulfi was amply evident in it’s flavour and perfectly grainy texture.
The Food Festival does tend more to the non-vegetarian selections. Go for an indulgent treat, for a feast to your senses! Beware of the calories. Nothing here for the dieter. Unabashedly rich and aristocratic offerings.
Open for lunch and dinner till the 21st of June 2015. At Feast, Sheraton at Brigade Gateway, Bangalore.
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