As India gears up to celebrate its 78th Independence Day on August 15, 2024, chefs across the State are busy curating extraordinary menus. On the table will be India’s vast culinary repertoire, which focuses on a variety of dishes served, as Independence Day is all about embracing liberty and harmony.
From cooking in traditional styles and methods to special ingredients flown in to prepare these delicacies, driven by passion, Chefs are making an extra effort to pay tribute to India's magnificent cuisine. Here are a few places you must visit to explore some exceptional food this Independence Day.
AUTHENTIC FLAVOURS
“We are hosting the Great Indian Table, where we are bringing together some of India’s most loved dishes from different states, like mutton nalli nihari from Lucknow, or the bhatt Ki daal from Uttarakhand. We have also flown in chillies from Sikkim for the momos, which will be served in veg and non-veg,” said Gaurav Bhardwaj, owner of Beno in Benaulim.
You can also taste some Calcutta chicken biryani, Amritsari fish fry, which has Punjabi flavours, authentic Mangalorean prawns ghee roast, the Naga style roast pork and daal moradabadi.
He added, “Besides we also have the traditional mohabbat- e-sharbat from Old Delhi. We will also focus on Goan dishes like the pork vindaloo.”
WHERE: Beno, 239, Mazilwaddo, Benaulim,
WHEN: August 15, 2024
TIMINGS: 12 pm onwards
CONTACT: 084689 40150
TRI-COLOURED FOOD
For the traditional GolGappa, Tri-colour murgh tikka served with mint chutney, momos, tandoori and Punjabi special lassi and buttermilk, visit Holiday Inn to experience the true essence of Indian cuisine at their ‘India Dekho’ Independence Day Brunch.
Chef Manjit Singh Rattu, the senior executive chef at Holiday Inn Resort in Cavelossim believes that India has a vast repertoire of culinary marvels. "We are lucky to be a part of India where good food is always appreciated. So for Independence Day, we decided to bring those flavours to Goa for people to explore these amazing tastes,” Rattu said.
WHERE: Holiday Inn Resort Goa, Mobor Beach, Cavelossim
WHEN: August 15, 2024
TIMINGS: 1 pm to 4 pm
CONTACT: +91 9146046024
On August 15, Goa celebrates the Feast of the Assumption alongside Independence Day and to mark the festivities, Goans prepare sweets like atol or patoleos and this can be easily found at Amey Naik’s Peeps Kitchen.
“We want to mark this celebration with Goa’s traditional sweets and no better way then serving it in our thalis. We use the patoleo leaves, rice paste and a mixture of jaggery and coconut,” said Amey.
WHERE: Peeps Kitchen, Risara Luxury, Ground Floor , Taleigao Market Road, Taliegao.
WHEN: August 15, 2024
TIMINGS: 12 pm onwards
CONTACT: +91 08806160123
NORTH AND SOUTH INDIAN CUISINE
Who doesn’t love to indulge in some creamy North Indian dishes? Well, your hunt can come to an end at Planet Hollywood.
“We have brought the richness of the north with mouth-watering dishes like the Awadhi murgh khorma and the subtle spice of the south with dishes like the meen vepudu in our Independence Day menu. We also have live music which will be performed by Faith Baretto and Raegan,” said the management team at Planet Hollywood Beach Resort.
WHERE: Planet Hollywood Beach Resort, Utorda
WHEN: August 15, 2024
TIMINGS: 12.30 pm to 3.30 pm
CONTACT: +91 9168645052 / +91 9607914987
EXPLORE THE FLAVOURS OF INDIA
The Hindi song Kashmir Main Tu Kanyakumari, is one of the most entertaining of songs from the film Chennai Express and its relevance to cuisine can be overwhelming.
This Independence Day, Kashmir to Kanyakumari – Flavours of India has featured over 30 different dishes from tri-coloured milkshakes, to salads and chaats, to murgh Patiyala, to dal panchmel to rotis and naans to Tiranga barfi and sewaiyan kheer.
WHERE: The Flora Grand, New Vaddem Lake, Vasco-da-Gama
WHEN: August 15, 2024
TIMINGS: 12 Noon – 4 pm
CONTACT: +91 7410047884/888/883/889