Welcome back, you guys!
Let’s get down to business!
WHO GOT COLDPLAY TICKETS???
I didn’t. And to be honest, I didn’t even try.
I love Coldplay as much as any of you – but I rarely fangirl over musicians, actors and the like.
But chefs? Oh-My-God!
I will go to Virar in a Virar-fast local train at the peak hour of 6pm (FROM DADAR) to meet a celebrity chef.
(If you’re not from Mumbai, anyone who lives here will tell you that going to Virar at ANY time is no child’s play.)
You all know who Chef Gary Mehigan is! The mid-sized judge on everyone’s favourite cooking show, Masterchef Australia, of course!
He was in Mumbai for a couple of days along with Executive Chef Hermann Grossbichler for the ‘CEO Series 2016’. Gary, Hermann and the team at Grand Hyatt Mumbai, curated an exclusive seven course menu on the theme of Seven Wonders of the World”, hosted by noted journalist and epicure Mr. Vir Sanghvi.
Look at the Mumbai-styled dabbawala welcome he received!
I got that last minute call from the folks at Hyatt and was in another part of the city with commitments for the rest of the day. But who can resist the opportunity to meet “boom boom shake the room” Gary? I dropped everything and made my way to the stunning Santa Cruz hotel as fast as I possibly could.
In an intimate setting with the city’s best bloggers, Gary Mehigan talked about his journeys to Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi and Jodhpur. He candidly told us about how amazed he was at the sight of street food vendors wiping loads of butter off a pan and serving it with bhaji.
Gary gave us insights on how he preps for events that require elaborate food. A chef from his team heads to the hotel two days before Gary arrives and oversees the preparations. When Gary lands in that city to take over, his teammate heads to the next hotel and so on.
“South Indian food,” he said, “is more familiar and appealing to the South Indian palate. It’s lighter, more subtle and has similarities like coconut, lime, curry leaves, heat and texture.” However, he wishes that Indian restaurants would change their menu once in a while.
The meal for the AmEx CEO series may not feature an Egyptian dish or Peruvian dish, he said – but it takes inspiration from various cuisines and is put together in his own unique way. The Indian dish is inspired by his sighting of a truck loaded with cauliflower in Russell Market in Bangalore – its a popular ingredient as new food trends emerge.
The sumptuous menu menu has been inspired from the seven wonders of the world right from rich soft textured salmon with flavours of ceviche from Peru, Butter roasted cauliflower caramalized with spices from India, Brazilian Moqueca; crustacean veloute,white chicken cooked in authentic Chinese sauces to Italian ConcodOro, Lemon curd & olive oil semi freddo,slow cooked lamb inspired from Middle East flavours and refreshing compressed watermelon from Jordon.
When it comes to sweets, Gary finds a particular one diabetically sweet! “I’ve never tasted anything as sweet as Malpua,’ he said.
And every time he visits Grand Hyatt, Mumbai, he makes sure to make a meal out of the Peking Duck in it’s restaurant, China House. (Must check it out, if its Gary’s favourite!)
Before we left, we made sure to get some great photographs with the Masterchef – and he was quick to offer quirky poses for each one of us.
P.S. Check out my interview with the 2014 Masterchef contestants a while ago. That was the best season of the show, wasnt’t it?
So tell me, who is your favourite Masterchef Judge or celebrity chef? Comment below and let me know!
Also, keep in touch on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!
Bubye!