The 9th edition of ‘Big F Awards’ marks the celebration of Gurgaon’s culinary marvel

(Gurgaon, Haryana), India, September 2022: The 9th edition of Big F Awards, organized by Indian Food Freak concludes amid much fanfare. Held on the 31st of August, Wednesday at The Westin, Gurgaon, the awards ceremony was nothing short of spectacular with the who’s who of the food and entertainment industry gracing the evening with their presence. The food gala was a celebration of Gurgaon’s culinary culture where untapped local food marketers, home chefs, and home bakers got their share of recognition in addition to commercial establishments. In fact, the event’s sole objective was to provide a platform for small-scale but passionate foodpreneurs to showcase their talent and participate in the F&B space.

The Big F Awards started in the year 2014 and have steadily become the most sought-after and prestigious awards for culinary enthusiasts of Gurgaon. These Gurgaon-specific awards have helped showcase the city’s love for food and get recognised as a culinary capital. The Big F Awards 2022 honoured a variety of food categories ranging from local takeaway joints to fine dining restaurants and bars, in addition to a community of home bakers among others. The list of winners included Vir Sanghvi who was facilitated with Star of India, Lifetime Achievement award was awarded to Chef Manjit Singh Gill while Comorin won the Restaurant of the year award. Arvind Saraswat Young Chef award by Chef Ranveer Brar was bagged by Chef Aditya Murali Shankar from Varq at Taj Mahal Hotel. Chef Aditya won Rs50, 000 apart from the trophy from the personal fund of Chef Ranveer Brar.

These awards are judged by some of the best Chefs and Food critics in the country including Chef Nita Mehta, Diwan Gautam Anand, Chef Manisha Bhasin, Mayur Sharma, Chef Sabyasachi Gorai, Pawan Soni, Chef Rakesh Sethi, and Rocky Singh. The awards provided chefs, bakers, and restaurateurs with a pool of opportunities to establish their identity and get recognised by the industry. Speaking on the same Pawan Soni, Founder of Indian Food Freak and The Big F Awards said, “We’re very happy with the way things have unfolded this year marking the 9th edition of Big F Awards. I humbly acknowledge and thank all our sponsors, jury members, attendees, and participants for making this event a huge success.”

Shibani Kashyap’s melodious performance enthralled the audience. Other key people who attended the awards include Chef Manish Mehrotra, Chef Kunal Kapur, Chef Ajay Chopra, Dildeep Kalra, AD Singh, Rana Sohal – Leasing Head, M3M India, Neeraj Kumar – MD, Beam Suntory, Nitin Seth – Vice Chairman – Tops, Kabir Suri – President NRAI amongst many others.

Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh Helps Nurture Next Generation Of Hospitality Stars

Luxury hotel will provide resources and training under MOU with Cambodia’s NIEI

Dr. Tan Kosal, the director of NIEI, and Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh GM Juan Mercadante at the MOU signing event at the hotel last week

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia ( 2022) - Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh is nurturing the next generation of Khmer hospitality personnel via a new collaboration with Cambodia’s National Institute of Entrepreneurship and Innovation (NIEI).

The property, the newest international branded luxury hotel in Cambodia’s capital, today signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the NIEI. Through the agreement, which will span the next two years, the hotel will provide resources, workshops, training, technical and curriculum consultation to NIEI in order to develop candidates. It will also offer internships to NIEI students to help build their skills in key areas of hospitality.

“One of Cambodia’s most potent attributes is the natural hospitality of its people,” said Juan Mercadante, the general manager of Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh. “By refining skills through internships at our hotel, we can really maximize this human capital and offer these students invaluable experience and opportunities to grow their careers.”

The new arrangement between Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh and the NIEI is in line with the Hyatt RiseHY initiative. RiseHY is a new global program designed to pair the hospitality industry’s career opportunities with young people who need them. As part of the initiative, Hyatt hotels around the world will commit to hiring 10,000 Opportunity Youth – people ages 16 to 24 who are neither in school nor working – by 2025.

According to the International Labour Organization, more than 40 percent of the world’s young people are either unemployed or living in poverty.

“We understand the challenges young people face, and Hyatt hotels are uniquely positioned to be part of the solution. Hospitality is one of the few industries where entry-level opportunities often lead to fulfilling, life-long careers that can change the trajectory of someone’s life,” said Malaika Myers, chief human resources officer, Hyatt. “With the launch of RiseHY, Hyatt hotels will harness the power of technology in ways our industry has never done before, to scale career opportunities, bringing awareness to hospitality careers and setting up candidates for success from the start as it expands training programs as a path for employment.”

Staff from Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh and NIEI celebrate the new arrangement linking the hotel with the skills institution

Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh is the newest international branded luxury hotel in Cambodia’s capital

Relish the traditional Onam Sadhya at Hilton Bangalore Embassy GolfLinks

Soak in the spirit of this harvest festival with Hilton Bangalore Embassy GolfLinks and savor the traditional Onam Sandhya, a multi-course vegetarian meal served on a ginormous banana leaf featuring over 25 dishes on the 8th of September 2022. Onam is an annual harvest festival celebrated in the state of Kerala, one of the major festivals for Keralites and other southern states of India.

From luscious Pulissery to decadent Pachadi, celebrate this festivity in true gourmet style with elevated delicacies like Erissery, Thenga Choru, Avial Ada Pradaman, Pal Payasam, Parippu Payasam along with traditional dishes from across the state, including a variety of curries, fried snacks, pickles, and sweets served alongside red rice. Relish a slice of God's own country with your loved ones amongst the hymn of soothing traditional music.

With preparations beginning much in advance, Sadhya brings the community together in forging a memorable affair. Enjoy the traditional experience with authentic regional Kerala dishes at Hilton Bangalore Embassy GolfLinks and make the most of this extravaganza at the multi-cuisine restaurant ‘Ministry of Food’.

Date: 8th of September 2022

Place: Hilton Bangalore Embassy GolfLinks

Time: 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm

Entry fee: INR 999 plus taxes, per person

Vijayalakshmi is now the Hygiene Manager at Hyatt Regency Chennai

Hyatt Regency Chennai announces the appointment of Vijayalakshmi as
the new Manager Hygiene.

She has over 15 years of experience in the Hygiene Department. She brings along with her great experience and learning from prestigious groups like The Oberoi, Hyatt, Hilton and Travel Food Services where her last assignment was as a AM Business Excellence.

Vijayalakshmi has played her roles both as value adding and as a go-to person for her fellow colleagues.

She is approachable and has good interpersonal skills.

Hilton’s Al Habtoor City Hotel collection launches a foodie’s stay package

The hotel offers dining credits for its foodie citizens so they can make the most out of their staycation

Al Habtoor City Hotel Collection brings in a “A Foodie’s Stay” package, available at all its hotels and offering generous dining credit for its foodie citizens to unlock an array of worldly cuisines for a truly restorative staycation – Food is your currency!

Spoil yourself in the trilogy of hotels at Al Habtoor City Hotel Collection. Habtoor Palace Dubai, LXR Hotels and Resorts for a palatial retreat, V Hotel Dubai, Curio Collection by Hilton for fun and adventure and Hilton Dubai Al Habtoor City for a family-friendly stay.

Located by the arterial Sheikh Zayed Road and on the backs of Dubai Water Canal, Al Habtoor City Hotel Collection is within the grasp conveniently via land through Sheikh Zayed Road, sea through the exclusive RTA water taxis and air with its own helipad, the guests can enjoy over 30 dining outlets ranging from casual to fine dine including bars and live music, two tranquilizing spas, three rooftop pools to let off the summer heat, a kids’ club- so when the kids are away, the parents can experience a wide range of activities such as the miraculous La Perle- A Las Vegas style extravagant world class water themed show by Dragone.

• Sidra – Surrounded by astute elegance, Sidra at Habtoor palace Dubai celebrates a timeless tradition to invite guests to experience pure legacy. A relaxing lounge offering an impeccable selection of fine tea blends paired with delicious pastries, homemade cakes and live entertainment in an intimate setting.

• BQ French Kitchen and Bar – at Habtoor Palace Dubai the social centre of Dubai’s culinary scene, this restaurant reminisces of the local brasseries on Avenue des Champs Elysees in Paris. Serving refined French classics which have been refined for today’s modern palates.

• World Cut Steakhouse – at Habtoor Palace Dubai an elegant space of natural dark wood, glamorous lights and leather furniture, World Cut Steakhouse represents American steakhouse favourites with a modern touch offering a selection of signature cuisines, bold beverages and mesmerising live entertainment. And not to miss the world class Raise the Steaks – Saturday Brunch starting from AED 395.

• The Polo Bar – at Habtoor Palace Dubai symbolizes the Habtoor Palace hotel’s trademark sophistication with its perfectly mixed cocktails and the finest cigars as well as a quality selection of wines, spirits and cognacs. The perfect speakeasy venue for a late night hang out with friends.

  Ribs & Brews – An American gastropub serving gourmet comfort food and beverages. A unique and modern take on American cuisine, where handcrafted cocktails are stirred, brews are drawn and plates are passed around.

• The Market – Seasonal ingredients and superfoods handpicked by the chefs that are high in nutrients and maximize their use in all kinds of recipes. With a wide range of cuisines from around the world, cooked as per the guest’s requirements.

• The Café – Need a break between busy meetings? This is the place to be. With access to fresh ingredients and indulgent healthy bites. The café promises a fun and healthy contrast that will add variety for all the guests.

• Firefly Lounge – A chic and urban poolside lounge. An escape to comfort with soothing colors and plush seating. Ideal for a lazy afternoon to enjoy great food and staple cocktails in a vibrant atmosphere. A perfect spot for after work shenanigans or group gatherings.

Arun Kumar has been appointed as the Front Office Manager Holiday Inn Mumbai International Airport

He has 12 years of experience in the hospitality industry and his last assignment was with Hyatt Regency Delhi

Holiday Inn Mumbai International Airport is pleased to announce joining Arun Kumar as Front Office Manager. He has 12 years of experience in the hospitality industry and his last assignment was with Hyatt Regency Delhi. Arun is guest focused and believes in going beyond the ordinary for guest experiences.

His strong communication, leadership, and dynamic experience in handling Front Office operations have helped him to enjoy his growth.

Indian plant-based meat leader GoodDot signs Indian Tennis Player Rohan Bopanna as their ambassador

With the aim of creating awareness about the benefits of plant-based meat, the global Indian athlete will be a key part of GoodDot’s ‘Do Good’ mission

GoodDot, the pioneer in the plant-based meat industry in India, has signed up Indian Tennis Player, Rohan Bopanna, as its goodness ambassador. The global Indian athlete will be a key part of GoodDot’s ‘Do Good’ mission of creating awareness about the exciting new category of plant-based meats and enabling people to make healthier and more compassionate food choices. The association will also aim to propagate the message that small changes in lifestyle and food choices can go a long way in making the world a better place.

Commenting on the collaboration, Rohan Bopanna said, “I am excited to partner with GoodDot to create a more compassionate world. I truly believe in the philosophy that if it’s good for the planet, it’s good for you. I have been fortunate to represent my country on the global stage for over two decades now. Amongst other things, it comes down to staying fit, and eating right is the foundation for staying fit to that end. I have started incorporating a more balanced diet by including alternate sources of protein. I believe in Abhishek and his team’s purpose to educate people about the long-term benefits of making compassionate choices and I am looking forward to championing this cause – both on and off the field.”

Rohan Bopanna has been a member of India’s Davis Cup team since 2002 and has a Grand Slam title and four ATP Masters 1000 titles in his long career. The Bangalore-based player is the oldest and the highest-ranked Indian player in Men’s Doubles. The veteran, who is still going strong at 42 years old, has also represented India at the 2012 and 2016 editions of the Olympics. Recently Rohan was a semi-finalist in the 2022 French open doubles.

We are proud to have Rohan represent GoodDot on a global level. His qualities of hard work, dedication, and a deep commitment to excellence resonate strongly with us”

Abhishek Sinha, Co-Founder, and CEO, GoodDot.

Subject to the tournaments allowing outside logos, Rohan will also be playing with the GoodDot logo this year. Speaking about the association, Abhishek Sinha, Co-Founder, and CEO, GoodDot said, “ We are proud to have Rohan represent GoodDot on a global level. His qualities of hard work, dedication, and a deep commitment to excellence resonate strongly with us. We look forward to this exciting partnership in spreading global awareness about GoodDot”

Varun Pandit has been appointed as the Assistant Director of Food and Beverage Manager at Hyatt Regency Chennai

He will be seen spearheading the operations of Catering, Restaurants and Lounges guest experience and other key roles at the hotel

Hyatt Regency Chennai is pleased to announce the appointment of Varun Pandit as the Assistant Director of Food and Beverage. He has over 15 years of experience in Food and Beverage operations and will be seen spearheading the operations of Catering, Restaurants and Lounges guest experience and other key roles at the hotel.

He brings along with him great experience and learning from prestigious hotels like Taj, ITC, JW Marriott, MHRS hotels and Courtyard by Marriott, Bengaluru and Ahmedabad where his last assignment was as Food and Beverage Manager and Operations.

Varun has played his roles both as value-adding and as a go-to person for his fellow colleagues. He is approachable and has good interpersonal skills.

Munish Dogra takes over as the Information Technology Manager at HolidayInn Chandigarh

In his current role he will be responsible for providing day to day support to the team for smooth hotel IT operations

HolidayInn Chandigarh Zirakpur is pleased to announce the joining of Munish Dogra as Information Technology Manager. In his current role he will be responsible for providing day to day support to the team for smooth hotel IT operations. Munish brings with him 10 + years of enriching experience in the field of Information Technology and has worked at renowned international hospitality brands like Accor and Shangri-La before joining IHG. Munish has been awarded IT Manager of the year by the Hotelier India Awards in the year 2019 and first runner up in the year 2021.

Apart from his passion for Information Technology Munish loves to travel during his spare time and enjoys spending quality time with his family and friends.

Team HolidayInn Chandigarh Zirakpur wishes Munish all the very best for his future.

Fairmont Jaipur Promoted Shakti Gautam as the Director Of Sales

Fairmont Jaipur, the luxury property in the pink city, announces the elevation of Shakti Gautam as the Director of Sales. With an exemplary experience of over 10 years, Shakti Gautam has proven to be an undeniable asset for Fairmont Jaipur.

Shakti began her journey with Fairmont Jaipur at the time of its inception in 2011, as Front Office Supervisor. As the property established its roots in the country and grew into the marvel of hospitality that it is today, Shakti has been a value add in several different roles. Shakti has grown up the ladder from Assistant Events Manager to all the way up to her new role now as the Director of Sales.  

Through her career trajectory, Shakti has been honored with several feats for her outstanding work in the industry. She has been recognized as the Highest Revenue Generator in her team, nominated for “Salesperson of the Year” in “The Accor South Asia Hotel Awards 2019”, and awarded for being an outstanding team player and for exceeding guest’s expectations at Fairmont Jaipur by the General Manager several times. 

With a holistic and exceptional skillset and vision for moving onwards and upwards, Shakti Gautam is set to be an integral asset to Fairmont Jaipur as the new Director of Sales.  

Talking about the announcement, Rajiv Kapoor, General Manager, Fairmont Jaipur said, “Shakti has been an integral pillar of Fairmont Jaipur. Her experience in the hospitality industry coupled with her unparalleled determination and work ethic makes her a master in her field. We are ecstatic to have her on our team and are excited to continue to innovate and grow with her in this new position.”

Lemon Tree Hotels signs a new hotel in Rajkot, Gujarat

Located at Race Course Road, the hotel is well-connected by both public and private transport

Lemon Tree Hotels announced its latest signing – Lemon Tree Hotel, Rajkot. This property is expected to be operational by March 2023 and shall be managed by Carnation Hotels Private Limited, a subsidiary and the management arm of Lemon Tree Hotels Limited. 

Located at Race Course Road, the hotel is well-connected by both public and private transport. The city of Rajkot holds out several attractions like stunning temples, ashrams, lakes, and gardens. The historic Mohandas Gandhi High School (now Mahatma Gandhi Museum) and Kaba Gandhi No Delo (Mahatma Gandhi’s childhood residence) bear witness to the Father of the Nation spent the early years of his life in the city. The famous Rotary Dolls Museum is one of a kind with a collection of 1,400 puppets and figures from all over the world. People can enjoy a match at the Madhavrao Scindia Cricket Ground, browse through thousands of documents and books covering every period in Rajkot and Saurashtra history at The Lang Library and the G.T. Sheth Library or explore the colonial-era monuments at Jubilee Garden.

This property will feature 45 well-appointed rooms, complemented by a restaurant, swimming pool, fitness center, and a meeting room.

Speaking on the occasion Mahesh Aiyer, CEO, Carnation Hotels Private Limited commented, “We are delighted to expand our reach in Gujarat with our valued partner, M/s Sanjayraj and Co. This will be our sixth property in Gujarat, adding to our existing operational hotels in Ahmedabad, Vadodara, and Dwarka, and will help us grow our footprint in a state famous for its tourism and business potential, which plays host to a large number of tourists every year. We aspire to expand and diversify our existing portfolio by signing and opening more hotels to enlarge our offerings to our guests as well as owners and partners in the tourism and hospitality sector.”

The Indus Valley Launches Truly Healthy Kettle

With the new product line, The Indus Valley is on a journey to become India's fastest growing D2C healthy kitchenware brand 

September, India: Known for its range of healthy and toxin-free cookware, the D2C kitchenware brand, The Indus Valley is ready to expand its product portfolio with the launch of Electric Kettle. 

The Indus Valley electric kettle offers a smart, modern, and ideal solution for making your favorite hot beverages at the press of a button. With the power input of 1500 W, the kettle can boil up to 2 liters of water instantly in just 3-5 minutes. Its sturdy double-walled design also prevents heat from escaping outside and keeps water warm for a longer duration. 

This new launch from The Indus Valley is a truly healthy one! The kettle’s inner pot, inner lid, rim, and spout are all made of 100% food-grade premium 304 stainless steel. This ensures that no harmful chemicals are released while heating. On top of that, the kettle is ISO 9001 certified and even the outer body is completely BPA-free.

Using a kettle for cooking and boiling becomes easier, faster, and hassle-free as The Indus Valley electric kettle offers amazing cooking advantages along with best-in-class safety assurance.  The kettle has a built-in smart auto-shut-off feature that enables it to switch off automatically once the water is boiled. While the cool-touch exterior body and concealed heating element make the kettle safe to touch even when boiling, the one-push button opens the lid safely and prevents burns or accidental injury. The kettle also comes with safety class 1 protection against electric shocks and is backed by a 1-year warranty by the brand.

The icing on the cake for this kettle is its classy premium look that comes in two stunning color variants - black and white. Its user-friendly smart design boasts of a single-button operation, 360° rotatable power base, and 1 m long coil that makes it use and carry anywhere. 

In addition, its ergonomic wide body design with no-spill spout, jointless rust, scale-proof interior, and smudge and finger-print resistant exterior make this kettle super easy to fill, pour, or clean.

In the wake of the launch of The Indus Valley electric kettle, Madhumitha, Co-founder said, “From requiring hot water for your first cup of tea or coffee to making a full meal, an electric kettle can be versatile kitchenware. Given the multipurpose uses it serves, we bring forth a healthy and safe alternative in the form of The Indus Valley electric kettle made with premium stainless steel.” 

“In the time when people are leaning towards healthy, convenient, and multipurpose products, we are happy to introduce The Indus Valley electric kettle which is a step ahead towards making cooking hassle-free. Now you can make your favourite beverages and food instantly and in a healthy way.” added Jagadeesh, Co-founder, The Indus Valley.

Thus, striking the right balance with the Indus Valley’s electric kettle one doesn’t have to choose between health, looks or convenience. Enjoy the experience of the best in one with this smart, safe and stylish  electric kettle from The Indus Valley.

Varun Pandit has been appointed as the Assistant Director of Food and Beverage Manager at Hyatt Regency Chennai

He will be seen spearheading the operations of Catering, Restaurants and Lounges guest experience and other key roles at the hotel

Hyatt Regency Chennai is pleased to announce the appointment of Varun Pandit as the Assistant Director of Food and Beverage. He has over 15 years of experience in Food and Beverage operations and will be seen spearheading the operations of Catering, Restaurants, and Lounges guest experience and other key roles at the hotel.

He brings along with him great experience and learning from prestigious hotels like Taj, ITC, JW Marriott, MHRS hotels, and Courtyard by Marriott, Bengaluru, and Ahmedabad where his last assignment was as Food and Beverage Manager and Operations.

Varun has played his roles both as value-adding and as a go-to person for his fellow colleagues. He is approachable and has good interpersonal skills.

One Rep Global hosted an experiential FAM tour for luxury travel partners Showcased Nepal’s premium hospitality destinations

Gurugram (India), August 2022: One Rep Global, a leading representation company for luxury and ultra-luxury hotels, organized a familiarization tour for Indian travel agent partners to Nepal’s two most stunning hospitality destinations - Dwarika’s Hotel Kathmandu and Dwarika’s Resort Dhulikhel. The four nights tour was recently organized, in August 2022, in association with Kathmandu Travels.

Destination Nepal offers an appealing amalgamation of culture, nature, and wellness. The FAM tour itinerary, thoughtfully curated with enriching local experiences and explorations across the Kathmandu Valley, left the tour group of 11 luxury travel partners from Delhi mesmerized.

Dwarika’s Hotel Kathmandu and Dwarika’s Resort Dhulikhel played the perfect host offering an opulent backdrop to the exciting familiarization visit. Showcasing two distinct realms of magnificent Nepali hospitality, both properties displayed high standards of graciousness and guest service elevated by the tastefully crafted hotel interiors and ambience.

Rene Vijay Shrestha Einhaus, Executive Director, Dwarika's Group of Hotels and Resorts said, ‘We were extremely excited to welcome our first trade FAM group of luxury travel agents from India. This is the first of the many familiarization trips planned for the near future, with our partner One Rep Global. We were pleased to showcase the unique experiences that Dwarika’s Group of Hotels & Resorts had to offer, and to also position Nepal as a good option for a luxury holiday. We are upbeat about the India market and see a huge potential in the luxury travel segment from the country.’

Hemant Mediratta, Founder – One Rep Global echoed similar sentiments and said, ‘It was such a pleasant revelation for the FAM attendees to discover and experience this hidden jewel in Nepal. Comments on the exemplary service and level of detailing at the hotel were heart-warming. Post the FAM trip, there are already multiple small group and FIT queries which exhibit the attractiveness of Dwarika’s Kathmandu and Dhulikhel.’

Established in 1972, the Dwarika’s Hotel Kathmandu has become synonymous to a ‘living museum’ as it continues to preserve, restore and revive Nepal’s historic, cultural and architectural heritage. Started as the founder, Mr. Dwarika Das Shrestha’s quest to rescue intricately carved wooden masterpieces that were being used as firewood, the hotel has evolved to become one of the biggest sanctuaries for original carved woodworks.

On the other hand, tucked away amid 25-acres of preserved jungle on the beautiful hills of Dhulikhel, the all-suite Dwarika’s Resort offers pure escapism with a touch of spiritual charm. The 40-suite luxury resort represents unpretentious luxury, exuding the ambience of an opulent residential compound. The resort draws its inspiration from the Himalayan holistic lifestyle which believes in the need to maintain harmony between the body, mind, spirit and Earth for a peaceful life.

Novotel Vijayawada Varun promotes green hospitality with Accor’s Planet 21 initiatives

Vijayawada: Novotel Vijayawada Varun has been at the forefront of introducing green practices in the Indian hospitality industry with Accor’s global sustainable development program, Planet 21. From replacing the vehicle commute with a walk towards the hotel every 21st of the month to a tree plantation activity on the premises by the employees, the hotel prides itself on the small practices that make a big impact.

Novotel Vijayawada Varun’s initiatives have resulted in it being the only hotel in the city to have an EV charging station with an aim to promote electric mobility. In addition to building an EV station, the hotel’s other notable initiatives like using electric bikes/bicycles for local commute, a vertical herbal garden, an in-house compost machine, and similar are all directed towards shaping the future of responsible travel.

Speaking on the green footprint of the hotel, Abhishek Pani, Hotel Manager of Novotel Vijayawada Varun expressed, “Keeping Accor‘s values of giving back at heart, our endeavor at Novotel Vijayawada Varun is to limit energy usage, consistently promote energy conservation methods, work towards reducing carbon dioxide emissions and encourage eco-friendly practices like the ones mentioned above across various departments at the hotel. As we move forward, our vision is to further strengthen our sustainable practices through constant support from the management”.

Novotel Vijayawada Varun‘s constant efforts have led to them being awarded a bronze level at Accor’s Planet 21 initiative.

Independence Brewing Company Strikes Gold with the Launch of Two New Beers

Independence Brewing Company, the craft brewery and brasserie with outlets in Powai and Versova, has just launched two new beer varietals, both which won gold in the category of ‘Best Beers’ at the prestigious Brewer’s World Beers of India Awards. 

Brews Wayne (Weizen Bock) is a darker and more malty version of the Weiss beer. It features a lot of melanoidin malt aroma and flavor due to an extended boiling process and the use of dark crystal malts. The beer has a banana and clove aroma and ends on a semi-sweet note with a rich, creamy mouthfeel. It’s a perfect beer for the monsoons, designed to savour slowly, thanks to its richness and 7.5% ABV.

Big Bang (Tripel Belgian) is a spicy, fruity and strong Trappist-style ale with a hint of bitterness and pleasant alcohol notes. It has a high ABV but remains surprisingly drinkable, with a smooth finish. 

Visit either Independence Brewing Company outlet – Powai or Versova – to get your fix of their latest beers!

Independence Brewing Company, Powai

Ground Floor, Ventura Building, Unit 1, Central Ave, Hiranandani Gardens

Powai

Mumbai – 400076

Tel: +91 91569 92337

Independence Brewing Company, Versova 

Shop 1, 2, 3 Akshay Villa, Jayaprakash Narayan Road, Seven Bunglows

Andheri West

Mumbai – 400053

Tel: +91 91561 82337

Website: https://independencebrewco.com/ 

Kelly Slater Reigns Victorious on Finals Day at the 2022 Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy

India, 2022: It was another perfect morning in Kuda Huraa when the horn blew for Finals Day at the 2022 Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy. A crystal-clear Indian Ocean played host to dreamy two-to-four-foot Sultans, as our competitors prepared to compete in the final surfing discipline of the event, the Thruster Division.

11x World Champion Kelly Slater (USA) started the day dominantly, taking a win over Rob Machado (USA) and Taylor Knox (USA) in Round One. Slater then went on to match up against local wildcard and multiple Maldives Surfing Champion Hussain “Iboo” Areef (MDV) in the first Semifinal, and excitement in the channel was palpable. Maldivian flags flew from nearby boats, hoping for a local win, and Slater fans were cheering from their sundecks as the two surfers battled it out at Sultans. In the end it was Slater who advanced, taking the win from Iboo and advancing to the Final Round.

“I am very honoured and very happy to have surfed these past few days,” said Iboo. “These guys are legends, they are the people I watched when I was learning to surf. They had a big impact on my surfing career. That last heat with Kelly was probably the best heat of my life. I never thought in my dreams that I would be surfing against him, man-on-man. He’s hard to beat, he’s the best in the world! I don’t think I’ll get to see anyone else like him in my lifetime, so this has been an amazing opportunity.”

Slater then went on to compete against Rob Machado (USA) in the Thruster Division Final, where he scored a 9.33, the highest wave score of the event, in the dying minutes of the heat. This solidified his second victory of the event, making him not only the Single-Fin Winner but now also the Thruster Champion.

“This whole event has been so fun, it’s been really relaxed with the guys,” said Slater. “To have this crew together has been really enjoyable, and Iboo has been a great addition. I’ve never met him before, but he’s had a smile on his face the whole time – it was so nice to get to know him and surf with him. He said he was really stoked to surf a heat with me today, and I was really happy to surf with him too. He’s just a really good dude.”

“All of the local crew that showed up on the boats seemed like they were having a great time, too – they were hundreds of yards from us, but we could hear them yelling the whole time. There has been such a good vibe here.”

Following the Thruster Division Final, the two surfers with the most points accumulated throughout the event were set to surf in the Grand Final. Slater and Shane Dorian (HAW), who have been the most consistent surfers over each division, were the Finalists. The two have been going head-to-head throughout the event, Dorian with two-out-of-three heat wins against Slater.

With inconsistent sets rolling through the lineup at Sultans, conditions were tricky for the Finalists. Dorian found himself in a combination situation for much of the heat, and although he was able to throw down a strong score of 8.7 in the final minutes, he wasn’t able to find that backup score to take the win. Slater, however, found himself in rhythm with the ocean and won the Grand Final with high scores of an 8.23 and an 8.73.

 “The Final was really fun,” said Slater. “Shane has been the really in-sync guy with the waves throughout this event, but in the Final I kind of took that from him. I think he caught one of the best waves of the heat (8.7) but the wave came too late, and there were only a few minutes left when he got back out to the lineup. We’re even now though, it worked out perfectly.”

The 2022 Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy is a luxury surfing event like no other, and the iconic lineup of Momentum Generation surfers (Kelly Slater, Taylor Knox, Rob Machado, Shane Dorian and Ross Williams), along with local wildcard Hussain “Iboo” Areef, have made this year one for the history books.

Thruster Division Results:

Kelly Slater (USA) – 1st

Rob Machado (USA) – 2nd

Shane Dorian (USA) – 3rd

Hussain “Iboo” Areef (MDV) – 3rd

Ross Williams (USA) – 5th

Taylor Knox (USA) – 5th

Ovolo Hotels Celebrates the Home. Stretch. of Quarantine Measures with NEW Quarantine Concierge Offering

Ovolo Hotels Celebrates the Home. Stretch. of Quarantine Measures with NEW Quarantine Concierge Offering

Ovolo Hotels has launched a new Home. Stretch. Quarantine Concierge offering in response to Hong Kong’s 12 August easing of restrictions

The award-winning designer hotel collection has been proudly bringing Hong Kongers home for the last two years and has been an industry trailblazer when it comes to elevating mandatory quarantine to a pleasant and restorative experience for its guests.

Ovolo Hotels welcomes the latest announcement to reduce quarantine with open arms and sees this as a positive step forward in what the city hopes to be the ending stages of in-bound quarantine.

Ovolo has always been an advocate for reopening Hong Kong’s borders when it was safe to do so. While Ovolo was honored to play its part in welcoming returning citizens and visitors to Hong Kong with a safe and enjoyable experience, running a quarantined hotel has many challenges and few of the joys of face-to-face interaction that hospitality normally offers. With the exceptionally high costs of running a quarantined hotel, financial gain has never been a priority – for Ovolo, it’s all about bringing people back to Hong Kong with dignity and respect. It is now time to reinvigorate the city and treat COVID as what it is: a part of life.

Quarantine Concierge: Home. Stretch. continues to offer everything Quarantine Concierge 7.0 did and more, with a choose-your-own three-day staycation experience. Ovolo has curated a number of options under the pillars of Wellness, Fitness, and Indulgence for guests to choose from. Guests can mix and match according to their personal preference, enabling them to enjoy a healthy or indulgent lifestyle balance:

• The ‘Wellness’ selection is perfect for guests wanting to use the time to practice some mindfulness, with activities such as origami kits, meditative coloring-in and a yoga masterclass, complete with a take-home yoga mat.

• Those looking to stay active can pick from the ‘Fitness’ menu, which offers a variety of workout equipment plus a pilates masterclass membership, motivating playlists and a walking pad to ensure your daily step count is reached.

• Guests needing a little self-care will enjoy ‘‘Indulgence’ options complete with a luxe whisky masterclass, gourmet Kettle Chips and a rejuvenating skin retreat masterclass.

Ovolo’s partnership with ClassPass, provides quarantine guests with a complimentary membership for two weeks, complete with 20 credits and 50% off all classes on their trial, so they can continue to enjoy the perks after their stay.

“The home stretch…….finally!  It’s awesome to see that Hong Kong’s quarantine rules are easing to 3 days hotel quarantine with a further 4 days of health monitoring. Whilst Ovolo Hotels has been proud to look after returning Hong Kongers over these last two years, I hope to see quarantine-free travel for everyone coming into our amazing city soon. A quarantine-free border policy is the only way we can truly return to our status as Asia’, says Girish Jhunjhnuwala, Founder & Executive Chairman of Ovolo Hotels.

“Just as we led the way in delivering an exceptional experience throughout the initial quarantine periods, we are now looking at how we can offer an amazing three-day quarantine to corporates and locals, and maybe even some tourists, that will be more like a staycation than quarantining. This includes offering a wide variety of fitness, wellness, and indulgence experiences to care for you – mind, body and soul.

Our Homecoming Project will also continue through this period; it's an initiative that is dedicated to supporting returning Hong Kongers in need, with HKD$1 a night rooms during this mandatory quarantine period to help them get back to their loved ones.”

Standard in all Quarantine Concierge packages, this new offer will continue to be inclusive of three daily meals per person, free daily in-room happy hour drink and snacks, free welcome mini bar, free welcome Loot Bag, free unlimited premium Wi-Fi, free local calls, and in-room Apple TV and Alexa.

“Coming off the immense success of our Quarantine Concierge 7.0 package, we’re excited to announce Quarantine Concierge: Home. Stretch., which offers guests more choice than ever before, ensuring a pleasurable staycation experience, no matter what they’re into,” says Mael Vastine, Director of Operations of Ovolo Hotels Hong Kong

For more information:

Website: https://ovolohotels.com

This Ganesh Chaturti, Celebrate with ‘Kesari’ from Vanilla Miel

Ganpati festivities are in full swing and this means a variety of sweets and goodies at all your celebrations. This year, add Vanilla Miel’s ‘Kesari’ to the mix. The Mumbai-based patisserie & chocolaterie founded by sisters Mansi and Isha Shetty, has just introduced a new dessert tart that is ideal for festive celebrations.

A tribute to the rich history of Indian sweets, each element of this tart is inspired (and maybe stolen) from the recipe books of the founder’s different family members. It features slow-cooked gajjar ka halwa, boondi-laced rabri mousse, and a motichoor topper with crushed pistachio and saffron slivers. Encased in an almond pastry crust, this tart is created as a labour of love - a humble something from their family to yours!

The gajjar ka halwa is ‘mummy’ certified – she learnt how to make it from Mansi and Isha’s Nani and can be found in the Vanilla Miel kitchen on most days, making the dish herself.

The boondi in the tart is a tribute to the girls’ memories of celebrating Ganesh Chaturti growing up – boondi laddoos were always a favourite dessert and therefore had to be incorporated into this tart.

The rabri is a recipe from Mansi and Isha’s father, who runs a restaurant in Mumbai. Patiently cooked and caramelized using fresh milk, this rabri forms the perfect backdrop to elevate the vibrancy of the halwa and the boondi.

This Ganpati, celebrate the love of all things sweet with a fusion tart that promises a surprise with every bite!

Priced at Rs. 500 (for an individual tart), Rs. 1950 for a Petit tart, and Rs. 2450 for a Grande tart, the Kesari tart from Vanilla Miel can be ordered on their website at: https://bit.ly/3cvxC8j. The dessert can also be picked up from Vanilla Miel’s kitchen in Andheri located here: https://goo.gl/maps/FJmpVo3vTW7htUoF9.

The tart can be made egg-free, if customers prefer.

Mumbai’s new favourite Japanese restaurant - Taki Taki announces the launch of their Ramen Bowls ~ A bowl full of wholesome goodness ~

Mumbai, August 2022 - A perfect companion on a gloomy afternoon, while sitting at home and watching the downpour. This August, Mumbai’s popular Japanese restaurant - Taki Taki, situated at Lodha World Crest is all set to launch its Ramen Bowls and Chung Fung Menu. The menu is curated in a way keeping in mind the traditional approach as well as capturing the intensity of flavor. 

Imagine a steaming broth, with delicious ribbon-like strands of noodles, often topped with dried seaweed, in salty richness, and is enough to invoke serious hunger pangs. The kitchen team has curated the menu that will provide you with an enhanced world of sensory appeal with the addition of bright colors, tasty aromas, and fun garnishes.  The menu will include Chung Fung and Ramen. Crispy prawns & chives, Crispy chicken, and Crispy exotic vegetables are the options for Chung Fung. Ramen Bowls are so unique from one another, VEGETABLE RAMEN- Soy Broth, Tofu, Bamboo shoots, Corn, Bok Choy. CHICKEN SHIO RAMEN- Chicken Broth, Grilled rubbed chicken, Marinated Eggs, Bamboo Shoot. PORK CHARSUI GOMA RAMEN- Pork Broth, Braised Pork Belly, Marinated Eggs, Chilli Bean Paste & Sesame dressing.

Come join us and celebrate your favorite Japanese Bowls at Taki Taki this August.

Other information:

Price - 615 ₹ onwards

Address -World Crest, Unit no.1A & 1B, Lodha, Upper Worli, Lower Parel, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400013

To reserve, call us on 7400491480