Journalism of Courage
Pune restaurants are offering exciting food menu to keepin sync with the EURO Cup 2012 screenings
As Denmark’s Michael Krohn-Delhi skillfully places the ball between the legs of Dutch keeper Maarten Steklenburg,the throngs of fans supporting Oranje,the Dutch team,attending the live screening of the game at the restaurant Terttulia,are thrown into a state of shock despair. As the goal is scored,the bars open up and the fans troope in succession to soothe their parched throats. While the famed Dutch line up try repeatedly to break the Danish defence,the fans continue to cheer wildly with the starters and the beer flowing freely.
As the word ‘Terttulia’ is Spanish,the restaurant with the same name in Koregaon Park is going all guns out to support Spain. In addition to the Spanish dishes and cocktails on the menu,the restaurant has introduced a concept called ‘One on One’. Explains Sethi,During the games,whenever a team scores a goal we open the bar for ten minutes,where fans can pick up their alcohol and get the second drink free. On the days when Spain is not playing,there are starters that are native to the countries that are playing.
It is the IPL (Indian Premier League) fever that has led to the football fanatism,feels Jay Singh,co-founder and executive director,JSM Corp Pvt. Ltd.,which manages the Hard Rock Cafes in Pune. He adds,The response we got for the 20-20 games of the IPL compelled us to try the same for the EURO and we have received a great response. We have added few dishes to the existing menu especially for the EURO like Chicken Wings,Tupelo Chicken,Vegetarian Crostini and Vegetarian Santa Fe Spring Rolls.
At Spice Kitchen and Paasha at the Pune Marriott Hotel and Convention Centre,along with the screening,a specially prepared international quick food menu features dishes like crumb fried fish fingers,barbeque supreme burger,Greek salad,meat balls in spicy tomato sauce along with specially prepared cocktails. Chef Mayur Tiwari,Chef De Cuisine,Spice Kitchen,says,We have dishes specially made from all the 16 countries that are playing the EURO Cup. When a guest orders a particular dish,we add a little flag of the country on the dish,so that they can cheer for their team while enjoying the cuisine from the place.
The football following in the city has received a huge fillip post the formation of the I-League club the Pune FC and the fact that the BlackBurn Rovers Football Club is owned by Pune-based conglomerate Venky’s. Mark Rodrigues,football coach with Chetak FC says,With the EURO Cup becoming one of the most popular sporting events after the likes of the English Premier League the UEFA Champions League and the Football World Cup,it is obvious that fans want to watch these games at open spaces and public domains where the actual build up of the stadium environment can be felt.
