Time may be relative, but relativity isn’t the best explanation for when it runs out and you are having a good time. In such instances, the solace that the coming year may too bring us similar unprecedented joy is a good way to deal with the parting memories of 365 well-spent days. Here is what one can expect the world of gastronomy to throw our way.
Recently, the Hyatt Regency did a superb Peruvian pop-up with Chef Abhishek doing a flawless execution. My one complaint, however, is that they should have made more noise about it. It was one of their many in the year. But with Peruvian slated to be the next big cuisine to hit India, these guys were ahead of the curve. As Atul Kochar may give us a taste of some Peruvian platters soon, we should all learn to tell our Ceviches from our Tiraditos.
Pop-up, in fact, will remain the buzzword. With abominable rents and a charade of clearances and permits, it will be easier to set up a resto-within-a-resto for a short stint. Not only does it help refresh the outlet’s appeal, but also tests the market with untried flavours and concepts to see if there is room for a full-fledged business here. Pop-ups, food fests, trucks, and other unconventional form of food dispensing, we shall see more such and they’re all welcome.
Indian hospitality is all set to travel beyond our borders, and with Indian Accent we shall give the world Indian food as reimagined by the Willy Wonka of the Indian culinary scene, Manish Mehrotra. I hope he still has enough time to supervise the mothership back here and doesn’t become another NRI (again!). Following in the steps of Vineet Bhatia, Atul Kochar will bring his brand of food to India. Sadly, all of them are in Mumbai (but it shouldn’t be long before they realise which city would receive them better and promptly relocate.)
It’s time we gave a serious thought to pet-friendly eateries. We care so much for our pets, almost as much as we are concerned with our food, and yet we still haven’t been able to reconcile the two to one unified space. I don’t know if it’s the hygiene laws or the general scare that if the average guest is so misbehaved imagine their pets. But someone needs to figure this one out, else all these places and paradigms I just mentioned will remain untried. Either that or dog-sitting is poised to becoming a booming industry.
One question looming out there is, what’s next on the Indian food front? Which state is all set to become the next darling of the gastronomes and epicures? My bets would be on the Northeast (with some Assamese food for good measure). But with the way the administration seems intent on controlling what we eat, there won’t be much left to showcase from there. Which then brings to mind the simpler (vegetarian) preparations of Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand. They may not tempt me like a good Phall from Nagaland (especially with that meat whose name shall never be uttered) but at least they won’t, pun intended, get me in a soup!
It’s time we gave a serious thought to pet-friendly eateries. Either that or dog-sitting is poised to become a booming industry
The author is a sommelier and food critic. He can be reached at mail@magandeepsingh.com