Bring out the Master Chef in you with Chef Ajay Chopra

One on one with our very own Executive Chef Ajay Chopra on Bring out the Master Chef in you.

What is an essential quality of a Master Chef?

After being the judge at Master Chef India for 2 seasons, it is a humbling fact that has come to real light, our country has got so much talent and there is a Master Chef in each home, there is a Master Chef in you. Anybody who thrives to create something tasty and put it on a plate is a chef but somebody who creates that with immense passion and does that consistently every time is a Master Chef. You have to have persistence, passion and commitment to create master dishes every time.

Your take on culinary trends in India and the evolving food industry.

The Food Industry has been ever growing but we see a huge evolution now. People are very well travelled now and they are exposed to good food and varied cuisines more than ever before. Cuisine is taking a big leap and world cuisine is taking its well deserved place in India. With regards to culinary trends, molecular gastronomy is showing itself in few spurts but the focus is on chef crafted food which is beautifully presented and is filled with flavor.

What inspires you to create new dishes and innovate?

Creating new dishes is exactly like creating a new painting. You imagine a new combination of flavors, various textures start playing on your mind and then you brush some strokes of creativity which evolves into a new dish. But having said it so melodramatically, it doesn’t just happen! The science behind the food comes into play, many trials need to be done and recipes need to be standardized before a new masterpiece is launched for the discerning palate.

Top 5 essentials one must have in their kitchen.

Love, passion, commitment, ingredients and obviously (pots, pan, fire and so on) to cook.

Your advice to those young Master Chefs who wish to take up cooking as profession.

My advice to anybody who wants to take up cooking as a profession is very simple. All that glitters is not gold. There is relentless hard work, commitment and sweat involved for anybody to reach up there. When the whole world enjoys you will have to work, these are all hard facts but the fruit of this labor is sweet. If you have the passion, commitment, drive and love for food then nothing can hold you back from shining.

A glimpse of Food and Entertainment Summit 2012

Retailers Association of India organised a Food and Entertainment Summit 2012 on 22^nd - 23^rd August at Hyatt Regency, Mumbai.

Food and Entertainment Summit 2012 focused on aspects of the retail and food industry. This summit helped in gathering minds together to understand and improve this fast growing industry.

The key objective of this summit was to create a platform and discuss the growing importance of the synergy between Food and Entertainment when it comes to consumer’s propensity to spend within the retail industry. It included a session on important aspects around collaboration and innovation strategies between Food Retailers and FMCG companies, Packaging Companies, Service Providers, Food Service Retailers, multi-outlet Restaurant Chains, the importance of real estate in developing entertainment and food zones.

The retail industry is growing and more people are now stepping out of their homes to spend quality time with their family and friends. A mall not only contains entertainment and services but plays a large part in contributing to the food and beverage industry. An entire floor is dedicated to various options of food. This shows the expanding knowledge of food and preferences of the audience.

Chef Ajay Chopra, Executive Chef, The Westin Mumbai Garden City honored the event with an interactive live cooking session named “Enhance your Tastebuds: Experience Live Kitchen by Celebrity Chefs”. The summit aired on various TV channels like CNBC TV18, CNBC Awaaz and Food Food. Our Chef Ajay Chopra prepared a delicious dish named Teriyaki glazed asparagus with sesame mushrooms and poached egg spiced with Togarashi. He also shared his experience of the food industry and how it has matured over a period of time. 

Please Click here for more pictures of Food and Entertainment Summit 2012.

Dil walo ki Dilli!

A city known as the capital of India is unique in its own way. People who are from Delhi will know that the city is divided into 2 parts, New Delhi and Old Delhi. New Delhi is modern and well developed whereas Old Delhi is famous for its street food like Chandni Chowk and Daryaganj. Delhi was ruled by various kingdoms and empires during the medieval era. Each part of the city represents various rulers of the past. The cuisine of Delhi is inspired by a mix of Mughal, Punjabi and Awadhi cultures. Different cuisines in Delhi make it heaven for gourmet delights.

The city has a diverse range from street chaat at Chandini Chowk to Rabri Faloodas at Giani. Enter Paranthewali Gali for Punjabi cuisine like the layered parathas with ghee, meat or egg stuffing. Visit Karim and Babu Khan for Mughlai food. Each street and place showcases different cuisines and that’s what makes Delhi, the Restaurant Capital of India.

Taking inspiration from Delhi’s diversity, we introduce a culinary journey to the capital of India, Delhi to the foodie of Mumbai. Experience Chandni Chowk’s spicy chaat or tempt your taste buds with Kulfi Falooda, indulge in old Delhi delicacies with ‘Dilli Khaas’ in our very own Kangan.

Dilli Khaas

24^th August – 9^th September 2012

7 pm - midnight

Kangan, Level 18

Essence of Essential Oils

Our Heavenly Spa and Recreation Manager, Ms. Archana Ghemeri gives an insight into the essential oils.

Lavender Oil

• Beauty Benefits: Lavender oil is one of the most versatile oils in nature. The fragrance of Lavender is very relaxing and brings calmness to the body and mind.
• How to use: Apply to chakras or vita flex points for direct inhalation. You can also place the oil in a diffuser and light it with a tea candle to create a sense of tranquility.

Lemon Oil

• Beauty Benefits: Lemon oil is a natural disinfectant.  It improves blood circulation and tones the skin. Lemon oil has various properties like antibacterial, antiviral and antiseptic. Lemon oil is very good for the skin, especially on skin with open pores.
• How to use: Lemon oil can be taken internally, diffused, inhaled or applied directly.

Rose Oil 

• Beauty Benefits: Rose hips (the flowers which have swollen seeds) are an excellent source of vitamins A, B3, C, D and E. It is used in treatment for conditions of stress: nervous tension, peptic ulcers, heart disease, among others. Rose oil drops added to a room diffuser can help eliminate stressful emotions giving you a comforting atmosphere as the aroma is intense and floral. 
• How to use: Rose oil can be taken internally, diffused, inhaled or applied directly

Chamomile Oil

• Beauty Benefits: Chamomile Oil is one of the most effective remedy for various ailments. In fact, chamomile is the world's most soothing herb. It helps to relieve anxiety and insomnia.
• How to use: Chamomile oil can be taken internally, diffused, inhaled or applied directly.

Ginger Oil

• Beauty Benefits: Ginger oil properties produce healing action on various parts of the body to show effective results. Ginger oil comes with a cooling and pungent aroma because of it is an expectorant property. The use of ginger oil in treatment of common respiratory conditions such as cold, cough, flu, asthma, and bronchitis have been known since ancient times.
• How to use: To gain relief from various health conditions with the use of ginger oil, you need more than just its therapeutic properties. The more crucial aspect is your choice of method of application, which decides how fast your body is able to absorb the essential qualities of the oil for immediate healing.

Tip for the use of essential oils:  

• Essential oils can be taken internally, diffused, inhaled or applied directly. Below are few tips for the use of essential oil.
• Relieve minor burns by applying 2–3 drops of lavender oil on the affected area.
• Rub rose oil as moisturizer on dry or chapped skin.
• Add a few drops of lavender oil on a cotton ball and place it in closets or drawers to give a scent to your linens and repel moths and insects.
• Minimize the appearance of scar tissue by massaging lavender oil, on or around the affected areas.
• Diffuse essential oil to minimize seasonal discomforts.
• Rub a few drops of lavender essential oil onto your hand and spread over your child’s pillow to help them have a deep sleep.
• Soothe corns, calluses, or bunions by rubbing lemon oil on the affected area every morning and evening.
• Place a few drops of your favorite citrus oil on a cotton ball and put in the refrigerator to help eliminate odors.

Generally asked question, is it advisable to use perfumed essential oils?

“Yes, as it’s naturally extraction from herbs, fruits, flower or barks of the plants, as mentioned above. The percentage of essential oil used in perfumes is high and to prevent any allergic reaction, remember to do a skin patch test if you have never used particular oil such as citrus based or any of the base or carrier oils.” says Ms. Archana Ghemeri, Heavenly Spa and Recreation Manager, The Westin Mumbai Garden City.

“Always remember, when mixing your fragrance you should use glass containers, as some plastic containers and instruments do tend to retain fragrance particles. For mixing the blend never use a metal object, but rather use a glass rod.”

Global Indian with Chef Ajay Chaudhary

One on one with our very own Chef De Cuisine – Kangan, Ajay Chaudhary on Global Indian.

People across the world are now craving for Indian food. What is your view on this?

A lot of Indians are travelling within India and abroad thereby getting exposed to different cultures and with liberalization of the economy many foreign nationals are visiting India for business and tourism.  As a result, the awareness of Indian food has spread. The most important reasons that an expatriate gets drawn to Indian cuisine are because of the use of various spices within a particular dish that imparts flavor and vast vegetarian repertoire of recipes.

What are the main ingredients in Indian food which make it so tasty?

Spices and local abundance of ingredients. Most regional Indian cuisines rely on locally sourced ingredients. For example, coconuts are used throughout coastal recipes but souring agents vary from limes in Maharashtra to toddy vinegar in Goa to fish tamarind in Kerala etc. Indians are spoilt for choice for freshly grown and locally sustained ingredients.

The variety of spices used in India is unmatched anywhere else in the world and its pairing with other ingredients is not only meant to induce taste but also has medicinal and nutritional values. Different spices are used for different purposes. Each spice has a particular effect on the body. Cardamom has a cooling effect; turmeric has antiseptic and anti-carcinogenic properties and so forth. Almost all spices are aromatic and some even lend color to food in which it is used.

Which is your favorite Indian dish and why?

Dal Makhani. It was upon tasting Dal Makhani that I knew I had to be able to make this dish and hence decided to be a chef.

Do you believe that we need to modify traditional Indian dishes to suit the western palate?

Certainly! Indian cuisine is a riot of flavors on the palate due to use of various spice compositions coming together and creating a harmony of flavors in a particular dish. In comparison, western cuisines might just include one or two dominant flavoring ingredients that stand out.

This makes it slightly difficult for expatriates to adjust to Indian flavors initially. However, if certain spices and use of chillies and sharp flavors are toned as well the use of ghee/butter kept in check, Indian cuisine can have a wide appeal.

As a chef with focus on Indian cuisine, I would feel immensely proud if our cuisine is appreciated and sought after globally. More people eating Indian food the world over just means that its popular, affordable and easily acceptable just like Chinese food which you can get in almost any civilized country.

A tip to make delicious Indian food at home?

Keep flavors simple, use fresh ingredients. Of course having said that, nothing makes food so delicious than company of friends and dear ones and at times, a glass or two of wine or fine Scotch.

Happy Independence Day!

After an invasion from the British, India took birth as a sovereign nation on 15 August 1947. From that day, we celebrate 15^th August as Independence Day. This year it will be the 66^th Independence Day. During this day, there is a flag hosting event that takes place in Delhi where the Prime Minister hoists the national flag followed by a parade and cultural event.

Independence Day is a day to rejoice freedom, it is a day to bring change, it is a day to lift up your spirit and enrich the freewill which resides within an Indian. As an Indian, it is a day to be proud of this nation, its culture and tradition. We need to take a pledge to be the heart and soul of this nation and do our best to help bring unity. Change cannot take place over night, it is a step by step process and if we take one step towards betterment then success will follow.

With its culinary treats and ample variety from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, we invite you to experience a culinary delight of India. As India celebrates its independence on 15^th August, we bring to you our Independence Day Brunch at Seasonal Tastes. Relish northwest frontier cuisine to street chat of Mumbai, our Independence Day Brunch promises you to experience India at its best.

Independence Day Brunch

Seasonal Tastes, Level 18

12:30 pm – 4 pm

Free yourself, Be you!

Our Heavenly Spa concentrates on healing and maintaining a balanced lifestyle of our guests. Our therapies assist in releasing stress and bring wellness to an individual. In our Facebook Signature Spa Therapy Contest, we gave away a voucher to experience our Heavenly Spa to a winner, Ms. Rolly Sapru. She visited our Heavenly Spa for a Harmony Massage.

Ms. Rolly says, “I sincerely wish to thank The Westin Mumbai team for the great experience I had at the Heavenly Spa. My experience was - in one word - Heavenly, a perfect 10/10. I felt 10kgs lighter and 10 years younger. My most memorable moment at the Heavenly Spa was the ritual of throwing away your worries and tiredness into a basket. The ambience of the Heavenly Spa in general and the therapy room in particular was very serene and nice, just entering the quiet area of the spa gave me a feeling of complete relaxation.”

We at Heavenly Spa constantly focus on innovation and creating a memorable experience for our guests. To celebrate India’s Independence, we are offering our guest an insight into Indian spa treatments through an Independence Week Special at Heavenly Spa. Guests have the freedom to avail any one of these Indian therapies on booking a treatment with us.      

  

As we know, India has an age old belief in wellness. In India, wellness started with Ayurvedic medicines, a Hindu system of traditional medicine. Ayurveda follows the philosophy of five elements, earth, water, fire, air, and space which composes the universe. India is also nourished with various spices and herbs which are used worldwide. Spices like turmeric, cardamom, tulsi etc are good for the body and skin. Indian methodology and ethnicity is a mystery in itself which is explored by spa therapists in various treatments. Our Heavenly Spa is proud to adapt these traditions into an enhancing experience for our guests. 

Come free yourself to be you this Independence Day.

Independence Week Special

Heavenly Spa, Level 4

13^th – 19^th August

9 am to 9 pm

Birthday Bumps at Balvikas!

Our Saturday afternoon outing was not an ordinary trip, the Westin team in their full zest and glory, proudly representing The Westin Mumbai Garden City set out to celebrate the birthdays of the children at BalVikas. BalVikas is a Goregaon based NGO who support and educate orphaned children.

With bags packed like Santa Clause, games to play and music to dance to, the children had an afternoon full of fun lined up for them. Spending time with the children not only brings out the child in you but makes you learn to appreciate all the small things in life. We are pleased to share the experience of our associates with you who have been part of this activity and brought immense pleasure in the lives of these kids.

Akansha Gajria, Training Executive says, “Being a part of this drive was indeed an enriching experience for me personally. It feels good to be able to contribute something to the society by making these little souls happy.”

Gurudutt Irde, Human Resource Executive says, “It was a reality check for us wherein we understood how fortunate we actually were and how easily we take things for granted. It served as an inspiration to mingle among the children and do or our bit towards the community and I personally look forward to our next initiative in making this world a better place to live.”

“We had great fun with the kids.  It was pleasure being there and enjoying with those cute little kids. It was great spending time with the kids as it made me happy looking at the kids being so happy. It inspires us and motivates us to indulge into such a community and to do our bit for the ones who need love, affection and the need to feel belonged,” says Krishma Shah, Human Resources Executive.

Tina Khotu, Executive Secretary shared her heart warming experience. “This was not my first visit to an orphanage and certainly not my last.  It is a very heart rendering experience and one that will most likely soften even the most hard hearted person.  I was looking forward to the visit since it was announced and finally the day arrived.  We were greeted by some lovely little children, some were apprehensive and some were excited to see us, there were children of age groups between 1 year to 12 years and it is a wonder how they have been disowned by their parents.  I reasoned that there must be some kind of explanation, be it poverty or desperate circumstances, most unfair and illogical in my opinion. 

Our team set about playing games with the little ones and it was clear that they were thoroughly enjoying themselves, their laughter was infectious and their smiling faces bright and enthusiastic, trying to win the game and eagerly anticipating the next game.  They were also hungry for love and affection and wanted to be hugged.  Being a mother myself I could feel their want and need and I felt grateful that I was given the opportunity to share in this experience.  I hope and pray that these little angels find good homes and have their own family one day soon and may they find all the love to help them grow as happy and responsible adults in the future. Those innocent little faces will be etched in my memory forever.”

Pawan Sharma, Director of Security, proud father of a daughter adopted from BalVikas says, “I am sure the experience was highly rewarding to all of us and surely we can only be better persons for getting to know these kids. I will not forget all the smiles from the kids that I played with that day. Every child there wanted to be united with people who showered genuine love and affection on them.

We played dodge ball, musical chairs, we cut cake and distributed snacks to all the kids, which filled their hearts with immense joy and in turn gave us happiness. By the time we were about to leave, we had emotionally bonded with most of them but there were a few kids who easily managed to remain in our memories forever. We waved goodbye to all with a promise in our hearts to come back again and make yet another day in our lives memorable. Particularly for me there was a great feeling, feeling of being a father of a child who had come from the very place and certainty that I would be able to contribute something, at least to one soul.”

“These young orphans bare smiles and welcome you with open arms, often recognizing you by name, latching onto each one of us, looking for someone to hold onto, someone to play with, someone to hear them and someone to hug them. They have innocence in their eyes and warmth in the smiles, teaching us all a lesson to look back to our childhood, regain that honesty and sincerity in our every day interactions with the world today. I long that these children find parents and somewhere they can call home soon, however in the interim we will continue to visit BalVikas to touch the lives of those we can and make a difference ….. so can you!” says Pooja Vaswaney, e-Marketing Manager.

It was indeed pleasure to visit these kids and share a smile with them. We at The Westin Mumbai Garden City will continue to keep that smile alive on the face of innocent children of BalVikas and make these little individuals feel special on their birthdays. 

No End in Friend!

A friend is the one who walks in when the whole world walks out.

We human beings are very social and at each stage of our life, we need people to be with us. These people are called ‘friends’. We meet them in every path of our life. We call them friends because our interests, hobbies and thoughts are aligned.

Friends are those with whom we have fun travelling in a school bus, friends are those with whom we study together during class, friends are those with whom we share our lunch, friends are those with whom we watch movies, friends are those with whom we play games all day long. From spending time together to sharing a secret, they are with us always. With them you are yourself, no pretense, just the real you.

Friends know you better than you know yourself. Friends are like clay, they will mould themselves to stand beside you. They will be your critics when you need guidance, your admirer when you look good, your parents when you make mistakes, your teacher when you need help and your savior when you are in trouble. Their role varies over a period of time. Some friends enter our life, so some friends leave and some friends stay with us forever.

It is a strong relationship developed with time. Our friends help us to create all those beautiful memories. Whether it is skipping class together or enduring punishment together, a mischievous laugh or a tear for a broken heart, playing cricket or watching movies, a friend was, a friend is and a friend will always be the best chapter of our life.  

  

As we laugh together, we cry together and we celebrate together. Indulge in scrumptious food and spend quality time with your buddies. It’s the mammoth Friendship day spread, as large hearted as your friendship!

Friendship Day Brunch

Seasonal Tastes, Level 18

Sunday 5^th August 2012

12:30 pm – 4 pm