Search for Tamil Nadu’s Kitchen Legacy successfully concludes with MTR and Chef Damu

MTR Foods successfully concluded the ‘Search for Tamil Nadu’s kitchen legacy with MTR and Chef Damu’ – A cooking workshop organised by MTR to help people rediscover the authentic taste of Tamil Nadu food by cooking along with Chef Damu, according to a statement issued by MTR.

Starting February 15, 2014 a big blitz campaign was done inviting food enthusiast for the event. On the day of the event the participants got an opportunity to cook along with Damu and learn forgotten and authentic dishes. Damu also prepared authentic dishes like Navadhaniya Kolumbu and Sambar for the participants and highlighted the value of using pounded Masalas like MTR instead of the grinded ones, bringing out the sought-after authentic aroma and flavour of the sambar.
This event provided the participants with ‘once in a life time’ opportunity to cook alongside an accomplished chef who has won several accolades and is also instrumental in popularising Tamilian cuisine all over India.
On the occasion, Sanjay Sharma, CEO of MTR Foods said: “MTR Foods is the guardian of authentic Indian food. Over a year ago we launched a range of authentic pounded masalas especially created for our Tamil Nadu consumers as we saw the need to bring back the authentic Tamil Nadu cuisine which the consumers are losing. We along with Damu, who is an authority in Tamil Nadu cuisine have taken the endeavor of rediscovering the authentic Tamil Nadu cuisines, tastes and cooking practices prevalent in consumer households and today’s event is another step towards the same”.
Talking on the sidelines of the event, Damu said: “MTR has taken up the noble initiative to re-introduce some forgotten recipes to the everyday life of its consumers to make sure that our food traditions and heritage are kept alive”.
Vaishnavi Madhu, a participant in the event said: “Cooking has always been my passion and I watch a lot of cookery shows to learn new recipes and hone my culinary skills. I always use MTR Masalas because I know that their pounded masalas really bring out the original flavor in my dishes. I was overwhelmed and couldn’t believe my luck when MTR gave me an opportunity to cook alongside Damu”.
MTR Foods stands tall as an Indian heritage brand. Today, a popular household name, MTR Foods has consolidated its market leadership in the south and is all set for a strong pan India presence, beginning with forays into the northern, western and eastern regions.

T20 World Cup 2014: Watch the cricket match on Live screen at Earth Plate Hotel Sahara Star

All you cricket fans out there, indulge yourself in sumptuous food at Earth Plate Hotel Sahara Star and watch your favorite team battle it out in the T20 World Cup this season.  Enjoy the cricket mania with LIVE screening of the matches on giant screens and that too uninterrupted.

You can now enjoy the flavour of T-20 cricket in a grand fashion at Earth Plate. Catch the excitement of World Cup action and enjoy the special promotions at Hotel Sahara Star with fellow cricket fans and lip smacking food. The entire restaurant will turn into a battleground with flags of the competing teams adorning the walls and T20 themed décor to add to the excitement.
Tickle your taste buds and enjoy beer for just Rs. 2250 at Earth Plate with unlimited foods and an array of international starters, innovative sandwiches, pastas and pizzas. So go ahead and tickle your taste buds while engaging in some serious cricket frenzy. Date: March 16, 2014 onwards. Price: Rs 2,250 plus taxes for buffet with unlimited Kingfisher beer/ Coke products, Rs 1,800 plus taxes for veg / non-veg starters with unlimited Kingfisher beer/ Coke products for matches during hi-tea. *Regular rates will be applicable for customers who do not choose the packages, ten percent discount will be extended to all Star gourmet members and 15 percent Aamby Valley EC’s  on the above package. For   Reservations   please   call   :   022 39807444   or   email us on info@saharastar.com. Venue: Sahara Star, Opp. Domestic Airport, Vile Parle (East), Mumbai.
Sahara Star, the flagship hotel of Sahara India Pariwar, is poised to be one of India’s most sought-after 5 star hotel near Mumbai domestic airport. It has well-appointed 223 attractive rooms including 13 luxurious suites which are complimented by “9 specialty” restaurants which add to the beauty of the hotel. Sahara Star is a luxury class hotel with its picturesque tropical lagoon that looks up to the world’s largest pillar less clear-to-sky dome and the three compound-curved, custom-designed glass elevators with panoramic views. True entertainment infused with rich Indian Hospitality.
Be it seminars, workshops, conferences or grand celebrations, Sahara Star’s banquet is an ideal choice. At Hotel Sahara Star, it aims to host the finest meetings and banquets with magnificent venues for your events and celebrations. The hotel offer you a choice of numerous meeting rooms, state-of-the-art audio-visual facility and much more. The hotel also offers three levels of parking that can easily accommodate over 750 cars add to the convenience of the visitors. The hotel has serene ambience for both business and leisure travelers offering the pure luxury of enjoying the beauty of the India’s largest marine aquarium providing home to many wonders of marine life.

Escobar Bandra offers a complementary glass of Sangria/Kamikaze on Women’s Day on March 8, 2014

Escobar, Bandra’s trendiest party destination invites all women this Saturday to indulge in a complementary glass of Sangria/ Kamikaze Shot while they dance the night away.

Be sure to pamper yourselves this Women’s Day with delectable food, drinks and fun only at Escobar. Address: 199 – VN Sphere Mall, fourth floor, Linking Road, Bandra W, Mumbai – 400 050. Timing: 7:30 pm onwards. Contact Number: 022 4276 0000.

Goa Tourism Carnival 2014 to be celebrated from February 28 to March 4

The Minister for Tourism, Government of Goa, Dilip Parulekar, today announced the plans that the state has drawn up to celebrate Carnaval 2014. The festivities will begin on February 28 with the inauguration of the food and culture festival and wind up on March 4. The Minister also added that this year’s event will be one of the most colourful and vibrant editions of the Carnaval. The event is Goa’s tribute to its diverse population and heritage; it aims to spread a message of peace, unity and harmony, according to a statement issued by GTDC.

While addressing a gathering of media today he said: “The Goa Carnaval is the highlight of our annual calendar and we want to ensure that this will be an unforgettable experience for locals as well as visitors to the state. Our vision is to see that the Carnaval here becomes as popular as the legendary Brazilian Carnival”.
The Minister also added that Goa Tourism is keen on promoting the state as a place for celebrations. “Goa is a place that induces a contagious celebratory spirit, right from weddings to festivals everything here is celebrated with pomp and fervor. This is why we are also promoting and packaging festivals and events like the Carnaval 2014 followed by Cashew & Coconut Festival, Goa International Travel Mart. Others like Shigmo, Sao Jao, Bonderam and Tirpurari Purnima have some quaint traditions associated with that are a testimony to Goa’s rich history. It is also our effort to preserve the heritage and cultural lineage of our state”.
Parulekar went on to enthusiastically outline the plans for this year’s event and mentioned that the state is geared up to expect and accommodate over 2.5lakh tourists during this time. The Carnaval 2014 commences with a Food and Culture festival on February 28, which will highlight the cuisine and rich legacy of Goa. This festival will also feature participation from other states. To add that element of glamour and excitement to the proceedings, a Brazilian troupe will be especially flown in for an electrifying Samba performance. Prominent musicians including the Raghu Dixit Project, Strings and some famous home-grown bands will perform at the festival too. It is expected that a fashion show and a fire display will also be included in the celebrations. The event also saw actors Jackky Bhagnani and Neha Sharma, who star in the upcoming movie Youngistaan, speaking to the media about their experiences in Goa and association with the Carnaval. Youngistaan  is the official movie partner for Goa Carnaval 2014. What makes the event different this year is that it will feature street performances by musicians at various vantage points across the state, a King Momo contest and increased prize money.
Goa Tourism is also taking measures to ensure that high standards of safety, hygenie and cleanliness are maintained in the state. Nikhil Desai, MD of GTDC, and Director of Tourism, Government of Goa, said: “We have taken measures to ensure 100 per cent safety for everyone and have increased the deployment of police force at tourist spots. We are also in the process of increasing room inventory for tourists”.
This year’s Carnaval will revive the yesteryears’ fervor with larger-than-life décor, mask installations and a Food and Cultural Festival – the biggest of its kind in Goa. Goa Tourism has left no stone unturned to take the 2014 Carnaval experience to a heightened level of excitement and entertainment. The festival, as usual, will feature float parades in four cities such as Panaji, Margao, Vasco and Mapusa. Apart from the float parade, this year’s event will also include a Food and Cultural Festival for the first time where visitors will not only get to taste local Goan Cuisine but also cuisines of 15 other states of India. It will offer visitors the opportunity to experience cuisine and culture through a unique blend of food, fun, local and national live music performances, fashion shows, and entertainment. An element of competition has also been introduced with entries being invited for the King Momo Contest and the cooking competition. This public event recognizes Goa’s diverse population including its vast tourist populace and promotes a message of tolerance, friendship and inclusiveness.

Yogurberry offers Couples Delight this Valentine’s Day on February 14, 2014

This Valentine’s Week,  Frozen Yogurt Major Yogurberry is all set to join the ‘fever of love’ by giving an amazing offer to couples. Now you and your beloved can tune in with amazing flavors of Mix In’s at Yogurberry for a better price. May it be Strawberry and Cheesecake or Cookies and Nuts or Oreo and Brownie, these amazing flavors can drive you and your beloved crazy because Yogurberry is offering twin Mix In for Rs 299 all inclusive from 10 February 2014 to 14 February 2014, according to a company statement.

Yogurberry frozen yogurt is a delight for all especially for those looking for a low fat treat and is excellent for digestion. Yogurberry outlet in Delhi NCR will offer  a variety of toppings toppings, special mix ins, smoothies Parfaits’ along with the choicest of flavors and tastes to be liked by all.
“ With Valentine’s Day around, we are trying to make it special for everyone. At Yogurberry, we are celebrating the togetherness by offering a twin mix in combo at a special price”, said Ameer Husain, Head Raasha Leisure and entertainment, Yogurberry’s franchise partners for North & East India. Yogurberry regularly announces unbelievable deals to suit every pocket, making it available to every health conscious choice.
“Yogurberry is a delight for those looking for a low fat treat  the Yogurberry outlet will offer  a variety of toppings, special mix ins, smoothies Parfaits’ along with the choicest of flavors and tastes to be liked by all” Husain added.
With a Range of 36-40 exciting toppings and syrups the Yogurberry Mix-In’s are available in multiple variants, which include combinations like Strawberry & Cheesecake, Honey and Pistachio, Yogurberry, Strawberry and Banana, Cookies and Nuts, Oreo and Brownies, Oreo and Banana and Special Nut Mix.  Yogurberry in NCR is available at at Greater Kailash 1, Gurgaon and Noida.  Based in South Korea, Yogurberry was introduced in India in 2011 by Synergy Holdings, the brand’s master franchisee for India, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman. It has appointed Raasha Leisure and Entertainment as the area franchisee for Northern and Eastern region of India. The Frozen Yogurt Major plans to open over 100 outlets across the country over the next five years. Established in 2004, Yogurberry is present in 17 countries such as USA, China, Brazil, UAE, Kuwait, Panama, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, and Paraguay, Bolivia, Australia, Colombia, India etc. For further details please visit yogurberry.com

‘Kingdom of Dreams’ plays host to Delhi International Arts Festival

The unique Indian boulevard of exotic food, art and heritage, Culture Gully, Kingdome of Dreams brings the artists and performers of  Delhi International Arts festival to Gurgaon on February 15, 2014 5:00 pm onwards. The evening will kick start with a live performance by artists from Manipur, Rajasthan, Kashmir, Punjab and guests will be entertained by special Dance Café Acts. Kingdom of Dreams promises vibrant celebrations for a fun family night with these special performances throughout the evening, according to a company statement.

Delhi International Arts festival is a bouquet of all forms of art including literature that unifies the globe into one aesthetic. Cutting across geographical barriers and looking beyond cultural stereotypes, the festival is not just the capital’s but the entire nation’s first such arts initiative.
Key Highlights:

Pung Cholam & Dhol Cholam/Manipur
Langas & Manganiars/Rajasthan
Rouf Dancers/Kashmir
Bhangara & Giddah/Punjab
Dance Café Acts
Enjoy delectable delicacies and premium beverages, in an ambience and setting that exudes radiance, promising a spectacular night at Culture Gully, Kingdom of Dreams. Kingdom of Dreams is a unique initiative by Great India Nautanki Company, a joint venture between Wizcraft International Entertainment, India’s foremost Entertainment and Communication Company and Apra Group of Companies. This ambitious concept offers theme-based entertainment experiences of exceptional standards and promotes Indian culture to Indians and visitors from across the globe. Spread across acres of land, Kingdom of Dreams has three distinct entertainment zones – Culture Gully, Nautanki Mahal, and Showshaa Theatre- each offering a unique proposition.

·         Culture Gully, a unique Indian boulevard of exotic food, art and culture

·         Nautanki Mahal, India’s first dynamic state of the art 4D theatre designed and conceptualized to offer breath-taking and magical experiences.

·         Showshaa Theatre will present a kaleidoscope of fabulous colorful drama marquee spotlighting ancient Indian Epics and Mythology, mock wedding shows and the great Indian talent circus. Entertainment has never been quite the same since Kingdom of Dreams has thrown open its gates to a magical and mystical arena.

Premier Inn, UK’s biggest hotel chain launches new property at Khaadi in Pune

Premier Inn, UK’s biggest hotel chain, announced the launch of its new property at Kharadi, Pune.

This is Premier Inn’s third property in India after New Delhi and Bangalore, according to a company statement. This edition marks the debut of Premier Inn hotels in western India catering to the vibrant city’s mid-market segment.

Speaking on the occasion, Aly Shariff, Managing Director, Premier Inn India said: “The launch of Premier Inn, Pune is a very proud moment for us and is essential to the brand’s growth strategy of catering to the demands of the new age smart traveller. There is immense growth and development potential in a burgeoning market like Pune. We look forward to welcoming guests to the Premier Inn experience”.

“Premier Inn, Pune presents a refreshingly new face of hospitality to the evolving metropolis, Pune. Located in the heart of the IT corridor, the propertyhas been designed to our global Premier Inn standards, offering consistent, world class service to both leisure and business travelers seeking hassle-free and contemporary experiences. As with our other properties, our product and services have been appropriately adapted to the Indian and local market tastes. Our mission is to be trusted for a good night’s sleep and great value food and drink to transform the hotel market by uniquely combining high quality with total commitment to guest satisfaction, at an affordable price” .

Shwetank Singh, Regional Vice President, Premier Inn, South Asia said: “Premier Inn, Pune, Kharadi will cater to its guests with 109 rooms including 4 serviced apartments. The hotel offers an array of services including LINX, our all-day dining restaurant, 87, our lounge bar and Tangles, our vibrant and tantalizing Noodle/Asian eatery. We are also ‘Proud to Serve’Costa Coffee in all our outlets. Additionally, the hotel boasts amenities which include flexible meetings and conferencing facilities, free Wi-Fi access, the famous Hypnos branded beds, tea and coffee making facilities, mini-bar, flat screen TV’s and much more.With highly competitive rates, and international brand standards, the hotel offers outstanding value for money and quality”.

The relative underdevelopment of budget hotel sector in India coupled with the pace of economic growth has created an opportunity for Premier Inn India Pvt Ltd. to create a pan-Indian business, which has ambitious plans for setting up hotels under the Premier Inn brand. We opened our first Premier Inn hotel in Whitefield Bangalore, India in 2009 and within a few months of operations; the hotel won the HVS HICSA Award for ‘The Best New Budget Hotel 2009/10’. A second Premier Inn of 143 keys is situated in Shalimar Bagh, New Delhi and opened in June 2011.
Premier Inn is the UK’s biggest hotel chain with more than 650 hotels and 52,000 rooms across UK, Ireland, UK, Ireland, South Asia, Arabian Gulf and Asia Pacific.In the financial year which ended Feb 2013, Premier Inn UK sales rose 13.1 percent on the previous year and ended at £ 853.8 million. The Revenue per available room (REVPAR) performance grew by 3.1 percent on like for like basis.
Premier Inn’s mission is to be trusted for great value and a good night’s sleep wherever its guests want to be; to transform the hotel market by uniquely combining high quality bedrooms with total commitment to guest satisfaction at an affordable price and to continue to be the UK’s number one hotel network, whilst growing into attractive international markets.
Premier Inn stands for business of scale, convenience and quality. More than 75 percent of the UK population lives within five miles of a Premier Inn with at least one hotel within five minutes of every UK airport.  Guests benefit from everything they want for a good night’s sleep. The hotels are well maintained thanks to a rolling refurbishment programme that sees every room refurbished at least once every eighteen months.

Grainny’s offer ‘Raise the Bars’ snacks for diabetic patients

Today, due to busy lifestyles, every individual wants to consume food that is healthy as well as convenient. To fulfill this nutrition requirement, the ‘Naturally-Organic’ food range, Grainny’s offers its product, ‘Raise the Bar’.

‘Raise the Bar’, is a snack bar, available in Classic Granola, Choco Nut, and Apple Cinnamon variants. These are specially designed keeping in mind the nutritional needs of people looking for healthy and active lifestyle, like children, adults, endurance sports and fitness enthusiasts, weight watchers, children and even the diabetic, says a company statement.
The ready-to-eat bars are tasty, nutritious and come in unique portable size and pack that can be easily carried in the bag or pocket. They can be a good meal option as they are completely healthy and nourishing, providing bundle of energy and satiating hunger for a longer time.
Each bar contains about 100 calories, has natural ingredients with balanced Glycemic Index and entirely uses natural-unprocessed sweeteners. The composition ensures that our body processes the nutrients holistically and the Sugar is ingested evenly over a period of time. These results in satiating hunger for a longer period, sustained energy levels, and controlled blood glucose levels. Price: Rs 30-40 per bar and comes in a nifty pack of six bars. Available at snapdeal.com  and shopclues.com
Grainny’s range of products include ready to eat snacks which not only suit the daily nutritional requirement, but also provide healthy options for in-between meal snacking. All their products are made with trusted natural ingredients and are made using traditional methods. The range includes gluten free and vegan foods as well. Grainny’s make Energy bars; Gluten free munchies for Active/working people; Sweets which are rich in complex carbohydrates, sugars, and Micro nutrients; Multi grain daily loaves; Biscottis, and Cookies etc. Grainny’s is much beyond selling products. We strive to connect with the consumers on a holistic emotional level. We are constantly engaged in organising fitness events, nutritional cooking workshops walks and cycle rides.

Fish Bazaar annual seafood festival at Above Sea Level, The Raintree in Chennai from January 24 to February 2, 2014

The ‘Fish Bazaar’, an annual seafood festival of The Raintree, St.Mary’s Road is back again with a fresh catch at Above Sea Level, the 14th level rooftop resto-bar. Guests can wind up their day for dinner by feasting upon a variety of seafood starting from January 34 to February 2, 2014.

The breathtaking view of the City’s skyline offered by Above Sea Level will be coupled with an assortment of seafood from both fresh and seawater. To set the perfect ambience of the festival, the fresh catch of the day will be displayed on a catamaran, where diners have the privilege to choose their favorite type, pay for it pro rata at prices indicated and have it cooked as per their preference, says a company statement
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As the name suggests, the display houses more than 50 varieties of unique fish and seafood ranging from Pearl Spot to Parrotfish, Rock Lobsters to Octopus, Live Mud Crabs to King Prawns, highlighting the diversity of local delicacies of the city of Chennai. The diners are at their liberty to choose their favorite seafood from the display and marry it with a selection of marinade and cooking method -Grilled, fried, steamed or Tandoor cooked, and served with a choice of accompaniments like Olive Grilled Vegetables, Spicy Potato Wedges or Garlic Mash Potatoes.

This ten-day seasonal seafood festival is available for dinner between 7.00 pm to 11:30 pm and is priced at Rs 1500 on an average per person. To tantalise your taste buds guest can choose from Tandoori items like Tikka, Malai, Achari, Hariyali, marinating options like garlic herb, Chermoula, Harissa, Lemon Dill and curries like Malabar fish curry, Jhinga dum Sunher , Chennai Meen Kozhambu.

Furthermore, during the festivity a brief A la carte menu will also be available with a selection of Above Sea Level’s classics. For reservations and more information, contact: +91 44 2430405. The Raintree serves sumptuous dishes that come alive with South Indian, Indian, Chinese and Continental and Chinese flavors. Rooftop restaurants, bars and lounges inspired by the local cuisine provide a trendy ambiance with a touch of international flair.

Bollywood Night with DJ Chetas at Andheri’s finest party destination, Boveda

Boveda, Andheri’s most happening bar and lounge invites all entertainment aficionados to experience a burst of Bollywood like never before with DJ Chetas.

DJ Chetas is the Official T-SERIES DJ and is also one of the top 3 Bollywood DJ’s in India having topped the Bollywood music chart with his super hit mash ups of Salman Khan, Cocktail and Dabangg mash up. He has over 2,00,000 fans on Facebook and has been nominated for the DJ Mag Awards 2014. He will be performing with DJ Joel and violinist Sandeep who together are the next big musical trio and have already won over millions of hearts at various destinations across the country and a few gigs internationally as well.
Andheri’s finest party destination is all set to take the fun and frolic to a completely new level with some groovy Bollywood tracks spun by DJ Chetas promising to blow your mind. *Limited Entry. Contact for guestlist. Entry Details- Before 9pm- Girls entry free. Date- 29th January 2014. Timing – 8.00 pm onward. Address- Boveda, G 04, Morya Landmark 1, Off New Link Road, Andheri west, Mumbai 400 053. Contact- 022 6708 0859 | info@boveda.in.