CHENNAI: The Indian Premier League this season might see a change in menu at a few centres with chapatis prepared on traditional wood-fired tandoors replacing gas-cooked rotis and deep fried items giving way to foods prepared using non-Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) fuel. The LPG crunch due to the West Asia conflict could also force the caterers to switch to traditional cooking techniques using coal and firewood apart from electric cookers and induction stoves.
The Madhya Pradesh Hotel Association (MPHA) has already advised eateries to go for traditional ways of cooking and 'crisis menus' in order to keep their businesses operational. A few other states have also followed the suit and the same measures could be adopted by caterers serving teams, officials, media and spectators at various IPL centres.
"We have been asked to be ready for the upcoming season," one of the caterers, who is hired by the official broadcaster, told this daily. The caterer admitted they have started feeling the pinch as the supply of commercial LPG has been choked due to the ongoing US-Israel war on Iran. "We need 8 to 10 LPG cylinders during a match day. Apart from this, every venue has food stalls and they serve readymade items and do the cooking as well. Most of them use commercial LPG for the purpose. So the demand would be more and it looks difficult to cater to it in this situation," added the caterer. If situation eases, things may change.
In their bid to counter the paucity and make sure they survive the crisis, the caterers have shifted to other means of cooking. "Yes, we have also started using induction stoves and electric cookers. Besides, we have started serving dishes that require lower gas usage and shorter cooking cycles. Now, we will not serve items that require deep frying and slow cooking. Instead, we will use electric grills and barbeque," said the caterer.
The IPL is scheduled to start on March 28 with the defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru taking on Sunrisers Hyderabad. The match, for now, is proposed to be held in Bengaluru subject to final approval from an expert committee formed by the Karnataka government.
Meanwhile, the venues have to be rebranded as well with the home franchises carrying out significant makeovers keeping their brand partners and sponsors in mind. While it is expected to get completed in time, the local contractors who are hired by the broadcaster would need time to arrange the set up needed for telecasting the matches.
"The IPL brings with it a huge set up. Generators for floodlights are usually there at the venues but the same have to be arranged for spider cams, TV umpires rooms, production units, media box and kitchen. Apart from this, a DJ system has also to be installed. Other things are also there like giant screens. We are expecting a call from the broadcaster in a day or two," said a source from one of the venues.
The BCCI on Wednesday announced the schedule for the first phase of the league, to be played from March 28 to April 12. As three states are scheduled to undergo state Assembly elections during this period, the full schedule of the tournament will be announced once the poll dates are announced, said a statement issued by the Indian cricket board.