Full circle

The holiday season is in full swing and if you,like the rest of us,have decided to skip an outdoorsy getaway then here’s something to cheer about. Now you can take a gourmet tour of the world all without having to step out too far. Offering an opportunity to sample delicacies culled from four major continents of the world is the Taj Chandigarh with their week-long food festival. The seven days of the week will see the hotel’s Cafe 17 buffet offer a new cuisine at dinner time starting from May 29 till June 5. “The festival has been specially timed with the vacations when everyone can head out for a leisurely meal,” informs Chef Ramanpreet Ahluwalia who has hand picked the cuisine on offer. “Given the fact that everyone’s well travelled in the city,acceptance to global cuisine is high. At the same time we wanted to offer something new,away from the regular line-up,” adds the Chef who lists out Arabic,French,Greek,Thai,Mexican,Italian and Moroccan fare on the buffet menu.

It’s the French line-up that has even the Chef excited. “French cuisine comes with a lot of seriousness! The cooking involves a large number of techniques,some extremely complicated,that serve as basics. For the festival we are going the old school way with slow cooking,” explains Ahluwalia who lists out specials like salads,Fish in white wine,Mushroom Pate and yes a French fondue station as well!

With Europe on the menu,Italian fare comes up next and the festival will see a Ravioli station,special salads,grilled squid,generous use of mushrooms and more. “Of course,there will also be the Mango Panna Cotta and Tiramisu,” the Chef smiles to add.

If you are however keen on trying on flavours that are more closer home,then the Thai and Moroccan cuisine should be your pick. While the Thai dinner will make the most of Pad Thai Noodles and Seafood in green curry among others,the Moroccan line-up will bring in Shorba,Cous Cous and more. “Quite like Indian fare,Moroccan cooking uses curry powder and is spicy,” you hear the Chef explain as he recommends the Roast Chicken. Also a part of the Moroccan fare will be a Halwa that’s quite unlike the Indian version. “It’s a global surprise all the way,” the Chef signs off saying.