24 beers to try before you die

We’re not just talking about good beer; we are talking about great beer. Beer that makes people collect empty bottles and cans once they finish the contents inside and keep them in their cupboard to look at every once in a while in fond remembrance. (What? You don’t do that?)

I certainly did with Guinness, that beauty of a beer which even has its own pouring method. I remember some old English chappy telling me as I called for a Guinness at a pub in London “You like Guinness eh? That stuff will put hair on your chest if you don’t have any and will take it off if you do” If they only served Guinness or Kilkenny (made by the same company) on tap in India we would be a much less hairy lot.

Kings from Goa, not only because it’s great, but because anyone who has ever been to Goa has had a gazillion of them with the ability of having a gazillion more - and that’s just for breakfast. I love it because of the bottle shape, because I have never had one that does not have sand encrusted at the bottom of the bottle and because the owners of Kings don’t think much of mass production and sales and focus on quality.

Leffe is a personal favourite amongst beers available in India. Stella Artois from the same motherland - Belgium is fantastic as well. When speaking of Belgium beers one cannot forget the “Trappist’ beers which are brewed within a Trappist monastery under the supervision of the monks themselves. Trappist beers to look out for are Orval, Achel, Rochefort, Westvleterenand, Westmalle and of course Chimay. They make beer to maintain the monastery and whatever is extra- goes to charity. So it’s drinking for a good cause, I will have three, bartender!

The Germans know their Riesling and they know their beer. They produce my favourite beer, Augustiner which is made in Bavaria a state in Germany. It’s special because they do not advertise, make small quantities of absolute classic beer, are intent on keeping their tradition alive and host one of the tents at Oktoberfest. Bavaria is also responsible for beers like Paulaner, Spaten, Hacker-Pschorr,Löwenbräu and Hofbräu.

Czech Republic is famous for producing beer and a Czech beer I highly recommend is Kozel. I suggest you do it right- jump on a plane to Prague, and find yourself a quaint little beer bar where the locals hang out. Other famous brands include Budweiser / Budvar(not to be confused with the American brand of the same name),Velke Popovice and Staropramen.

A lot of the best beers in the States are produced by small companies who focus on quality rather than quality. In the states, microbreweries are responsible for many fantastic beers. Two beers to definitely try are Anchor Stream from San Francisco orFat Tire of the New Belgium Brewing Company.

All this talk of beer has made me thirsty for one, and as my friend in Germany would say, "It's beer o'clock."

source:http://www.gqindia.com

Guide to Bitters

A serious cocktail lover knows a thing or two about these serious spirits

You’ll know a true cocktail lover by the quick-but-intense scan he gives the bar before settling down in front of it. He is evaluating two things – first, the range of alcohol on display, but second and more importantly, the range of bitters. You know a serious cocktail bar by the pride it takes in its display of bitters (tip: look for the small Tabasco-like bottles with strange labels.) Sadly, at the moment in India, you’ll have to skim a fair spread of bars to find a bitters list that’s longer than two. But we’re getting there. Slowly.

What are bitters?
In the simplest terms, bitters are a highly concentrated, flavoured spirit. They are made by infusing or macerating a variety of fruits, herbs and spices into a high-proof alcohol. Generally bitters have 35-40% alcohol and are used as an aromatic flavouring agent in cocktails. Because they are so concentrated, a mere two or three dashes of bitters add a beautiful complexity and length to any cocktail. Though they might have lost their favour for a while before they came back with a bang, bitters have always been instrumental in cocktail-making. One of the first definitions of a cocktail is a combination of spirit, water, sugar and bitters.

Where did they come from?
Most bitters began as medicinal tonics, to cure everything from gout to kidney ailments in the 1800s. Right. A straight shot of alcohol to cure diseases – we’re definitely born in the wrong century. Luckily for us, these concoctions soon found their way into home kitchens, and then bars. Turns out this was exactly the kick that the old-timers had been missing in their cocktails all along. It’s ironic that something so unpalatable when tasted raw lends smoothness when added to a drink, rounding the harshness of the alcohol.

Some of us have been drinking bitters for ages without knowing it. Campari, Jagermeister, Cynar… sound familiar? These belong to the category of ‘potable bitters’ which means they can be had on their own.

Not everything tastes better with bitters. Well, okay, maybe it does. But still, know where and when to ask for uncustomary bitters in your drink. After all, it’s never good to piss off your bartender unless you’re okay with a side order of spit.

Who makes them?
Angostura: Without a doubt this one’s the most famous bitters there is. This is every bar’s staple. It makes an appearance in quite a few Indian bars too. You’ll recognise it by its ill-fitting white label. Why ill-fitting? Apparently the wrong size was ordered and everyone in the factory thought someone else would fix the mistake, but no one did and now the over sized label has become a trademark.

Regan's Orange Bitters No.6: When Gary Regan he puts his face (and beard) on a bottle of bitters, safe to say it’s worth its weight in gold. This one packs quite a punch compared to the other orange bitters – spicy, rich and powerful.

The Bitter Truth, Fee Brothers and Boker’s Bitters are other notable brands of bitters.

So how do use these bitters in your drink? Read on.

How can you make them?
We asked around for a DIY recipe for that over-enthusiastic bunch. To achieve the level of concentration that bitters possess, the flavoured spirit is distilled a final time before it is ready.  Understand then that unless you have easy access to a distillation pot, homemade bitters are a far stretch from the real deal. Still, it’s a great way to experiment with various flavours and figure what you like best.

Mixologist Arijit Bose of PCO in Vasant Vihar said that when he makes his bitters he uses a bit of Angostura to add the depth and length that distillation would give. So his recipe for Coriander Bitters is 300 ml of high-proof alcohol (Smirnoff, for example) with 100 gms of coriander. Leave it to steep for two weeks and then add 50-60 ml of Angostura. Because of the higher concentration of the coriander, the resultant bitters still hold the flavour, with just the right kick.

But then, sourcing your bitters can be hard, so just skip the added bitters and you’ll still have a decent concoction. Bose recommends beginning with saffron bitters: gin, a few slivers of saffron, two weeks of patience – and there’s your bitters with an Indian twist!

A word of warning – be careful what you use to make your bitters. Do your research to make sure there aren’t any harmful effects of the herb or spice you’re using.

Cocktails:

Many classic cocktails call for the use of bitters, we ask Arjit Bose for two classic recipes and one with a twist from PCO :

The Old-Fashioned
This version calls for the addition of a maraschino cherry and a slice of orange. Feel free to omit the fruit if you so desire.
Ingredients:
2 ½ ounces of Bourbon       
 ½ an Orange slice
1 Maraschino cherry, stem removed
3 dashes of Orange Bitters #4 or Angostura bitters
1 teaspoon of Water
½ teaspoon of superfine sugar
Method:
In an old-fashioned glass, combine the orange slice, cherry, bitters, water and sugar. Using the back of a spoon, muddle the ingredients, dissolving the sugar and mashing up the fruit. Fill the glass with ice cubes, add the bourbon and stir gently.

Manhattan
A native New Yorker, this bourbon base classic stems from the late 19th Century. It was possibly the first cocktail made from the US import, red Italian 'Vino Vermouth'.
Ingredients:
30 ml of Martini Rosso
30 ml of Rye Whisky
1 dash of Angostura Bitters
Method:
Place all the ingredients in a mixing glass with cubed ice. Stir 12 times in a clockwise direction. Single strain this into a martini glass. Garnish with a fresh cherry.

PCO 40 Deuce
This cocktail was created at PCO in Delhi and is a stunner.
Ingredients:
50 ml of luxury vodka
15 ml of Monin Triple sec
10 ml of lime juice
45 ml of Ceres Grapefruit Juice
2-3 dashes of Lavender Bitters
Method:
In a shaker add the vodka, triple sec, lime juice and  grapefruit juice. Shake and double strain the mixture into a martini glass and garnish with a few drops of Lavender bitters. Bliss.
source: http://www.gqindia.com

Everything you need to know about vodka

Vodka is more than a mere vehicle for your energy drink. 

Shaken not stirred: Vodka has been having a bit of an image crisis. Previously noted as the drink of choice of sharp-suited double-oh spies and mucho macho Russian oligarchs, over the past couple of decades the association has gotten significantly less… manly. Mention vodka to your average scotch-swilling aficionado and chances are he’ll dismiss it as either too feminine (thanks, Carrie Bradshaw) or too young (vodka-Red Bull and glow sticks, anyone?) – and he wouldn't be entirely wrong.

Given its smooth, near tasteless nature, vodka is the easy gateway drink for palates not yet accustomed to stronger spirits. Like a liquid chameleon, a vodka-based drink takes on the properties of whatever you mix it with: cranberries in the case of the Cosmo, OJ if your poison is that college-bar staple Sex on the Beach and Red Bull for hundreds of thousands of bouncing club-goers the world over.

But news flash: That’s not all vodka is good for. If you give it the chance to prove itself – instead of drowning it in the juice du jour – vodka emerges as not just a nuanced spirit but also a multidimensional one. James Bond knew that. As does any Muscovite – neat, chilled, in a shot, or not at all. When in Moscow…

What is vodka exactly?

No, “the white spirit that’s not gin” is not the answer we’re looking for. Vodka is any clear drink distilled from fermented ingredients like grains and potatoes, sometimes sugar or fruit, and largely consists of water and ethanol. Like whisky, it goes through a distillation process – though usually in column stills rather than pot stills – and is then filtered to remove as many congeners as possible (which contributes to the almost neutral taste of the spirit – and is also why drinking premium vodka rarely induces a bad hangover).

So then what makes one vodka different from another?

It’s a myth that all vodka tastes the same. Sure, its essential characteristics are that it’s smooth and nearly tasteless – but then why would anyone spring for a super premium brand over a regular one? Here’s why: Premium vodkas have subtle yet distinct characteristics. This has to do with their base ingredients, the number of times the spirit is distilled (which affects alcohol percentage) and the rigour and methods of filtration (traditional vodka-producing countries are more likely to allow some congeners to remain for “character”). So, which one should you drink?

Wheat vodka

These are traditionally the Russian-style vodkas: smooth, with an oily mouthfeel and a faint taste of licorice, which is what distinguishes them from the rest. The premium brands can be knocked back neat or mixed in with something neutral like soda or tonic.

Rye vodka

This base grain is most commonly found in Polish vodkas. You know it from the hints of rye bread when you nose it, as well as a slight spiciness on the palate. Some high-end vodkas fall into this category – don’t kill them with an overpowering mixer.

Potato vodka

Less common than grain vodkas, the potato-based spirit comes at a premium price – and is absolutely worth it for its creamy, rich mouth feel. This one’s for sipping. Shooting at Arctic temperatures is also acceptable.

Molasses vodka

This sugar by-product is used mostly in mass-market, non-premium brands – ie, highly avoidable. Especially if you’re looking to escape one hell of a hangover the next day.

Flavoured vodka

Every major commercial brand – be it grain, grape or sugar-based vodka – has diversified into flavor infused stuff. Note: You are not, nor should you be, the target market. Leave that to the kids.

And if you must mix…

The list of vodka cocktails is short. For the most part, they’re daytime cocktails – except for the classic vodka martini, naturally. As for the rest: We’d never say no to a Bloody Mary, that staple of late Sunday brunches and all-round hangover killer. And a lime caprioska, to beat the summer heat, is also acceptable. But absolutely no kamikazes. What are you, 16?

source:http://www.gqindia.com

3 Liquor brands to know

                               
Sipsmith Gin
Born over 200 years ago in the UK, Sipsmith is a complex gin made from ingredients sourced from all over the world (Macedonian juniper berries, Bulgarian coriander seeds, Sevillian orange, Spanish licorice root, Chinese cassia bark). It’s smooth enough for a martini, yet rich enough for the perfect British G&T.

Puschkin Vodka 
Available in crystal clear and whipped cream, this German vodka undergoes an ice filtration process to give it a clean flavour. Best for shots, or drinking on the rocks. Available at most liquor shops across India.

Carling Beer
Brought to India by the makers of Cobra beer, this is one of the best-selling lagers in the UK. Light with a sweet hoppy taste, it’s best for afternoon drinking in front of the TV. Available at most liquor shops across India.
http://www.gqindia.com

How to set up a home bar

No man’s home is complete without a well-stocked bar, but what exactly is that supposed to mean?



                     1. Assemble your arsenal (But don’t go overboard)

How you assemble your bar depends on two things: your wallet and your temperament. Got a lot of money and no restraint? Pick up every bottle here and go nuts. (Also: Let’s hang out.)

But the other end of the spectrum – not much money, tons of restraint – isn’t all that bad, either. We call this collection the Core, because it’s these liquors that should be the base of your bar. Whisky, gin, vodka and rum give you a totally unassailable selection of drinks. Then you’ll need sweet and dry vermouth, for Manhattans and martinis; a bottle of bitters; and always, always fresh citrus.

From there, start growing – but be selective. El Dorado rum (and a bottle of ginger beer) will help you quench your Dark ’n’ Stormy craving. A good cognac like Delamain and any Islay scotch will satisfy the people in your life who like to drink things neat. Tequila and triple sec are necessary if you’re a margarita man.
Most bar nerds will insist on Campari, but we think Gran Classico — a Swiss-made variation — makes for a better Negroni. Whether you want absinthe is up to you, but how are you supposed to rinse a Sazerac glass without it?

2. Then get yourself something obscure

Even if your bar is a tiny cabinet in your living room, you’re going to want to have that one outlier bottle that will not only make you look well-stocked, but a bottle that will get you laid, like a local vodka from somewhere in Poland or, a bottle of Caroni Caribbean rum. The distillery has been dismantled and an Italian baron-type figure has control of every last barrel, which experts say will run out in about three years. This rum tastes like burnt tyres sitting out in a tropical sun, but in a good way that’s from charred molasses and the flavors are best set off with some orange rind. Now, finish up and come to bed, darling.

3. Pick up your glassware in the singles section

In the world of cocktails, all that matters is volume; mixed liquor doesn’t need to swirl or breathe. So you should have some four-ounce glasses, for sipping; some four- to eight-ounce short glasses, for lowball cocktails; and some tall eight-ounce glasses, for ice-loaded highballs. Best practice: If you see a glass you like, buy one. Just one. Then repeat until your cupboard’s full.

4. Solve the bitter variables

What bitters are - concentrated botanicals preserved in alcohol- is less important than what they’re capable of. Which is, basically, making a brand new drink out of the same recipe. Take the Old Fashioned. Sub in Regans’ Orange Bitters for Angostura and you plug an amplifier into the drink’s circus note. Bittermens Burlesque will make it sour and a tad spicy. And Dutch’s Colonial Cocktail Bitters, made with hand-harvested flowers and berries, gives the Old Fashioned a dash of pepper and a whole fistful of floral. But be selective. As with automobiles, if you have more than three, you’re just showing off.

5. Go ahead, hide the good stuff

I’ve got my bar. And then I’ve got my Pappy Van Winkle. You may have a bottle or two like this – an old scotch, or maybe a pricey bottle you picked up while travelling. Something that gets secreted away when people come over. I keep mine in my clothes hamper, next to my undies. Am I proud of this? Maybe not so much. But it’s necessary. I don’t need my friends helping themselves whenever they’re over for dinner – and I don’t want to explain why it’s just not the right time, every time. There’s no shame in keeping your best bottle under wraps. The only shame would be never getting around to drinking it.

6. Lighten your tool belt

                

There are about six tools you need to make drinks, and none should come with batteries. Start with a Parisian shaker and a crystal Yarai mixing glass, for shaking and stirring, respectively. You’ll need a strainer, too, for seeds and pulp. Get a jigger with one-ounce and two-ounce sides and a stirring spoon with some weight to it. (It’ll be easier to twirl.) And then settle on a paring knife that feels good in your hand. This one – with a squared-off edge – is specifically designed for dealing with citrus. You will be dealing with a lot of citrus.

Source:http://www.gqindia.com

Goibibo launches flights + hotels booking facility on its Android and iOS app

Goibibo, an online travel platform has launched the ability of booking ‘flights + hotels’ in a single cart on its mobile app. This is the first of its kind execution by a travel platform on the mobile. While searching for flights between origin and destination, travellers can now add a hotel on a real time basis. The bundling gives the travellers an advantage of significant price saving on the one hand and simple 2 tap process of check out and payments on the other hand. 

In a single tap users can add a hotel booking to their flight booking and also see the amount of savings. Travellers can easily view the details of the hotel they want to bundle. Details such as hotels’ pictures, location, room details, bundled price saving along with Go Reviews and ratings of the hotel. The mobile flow also enables consumers to view other hotels that they can bundle with the flight by simple left swipe of the hotel 

Ashish Kashyap, Founder & CEO of ibiboGroup said, “Deployment of Flights + hotels on mobile is an industry first from our end. This was a challenging project as we needed to make it very simple for consumers to be able to do the real time bundling in few taps and yet be able to access all information. We believe that this is an excellent example of technology, user experience & design innovation from our end. As the number one hotels aggregator in the country, we want to make accommodation play as the center of our innovations. This pioneering launch is clearly in this direction!” 

Approximately 60% of hotel bookings and 40% of air bookings for goibibo take place on the mobile apps. The total install base of Goibibo has crossed 6.5mn with more than 1.2mn new installs run rate on a monthly basis. Goibibo targets to reach 11 Mn installs by end of December 2015. Goibibo became the largest hotels aggregator in the country growing 5x over last year. In the air category, Goibibo grew by 85% year on year, outstripping the growth of both the incumbents as well as the market.
Source: http://www.hospitalitybizindia.com

Leela Hotels in Goa, Chennai up for sale

According to a report in Mint, at least five top international private equity firms, family offices and endowment funds are in the race to buy hospitality group Hotel Leelaventure Ltd’s five-star hotels in Goa and Chennai. Two persons, including one who is directly familiar with the negotiations, confirmed this, adding that the sale of the two properties is likely to be completed before Christmas.

Marquee private equity investors such as the Blackstone Group and Brookfield Asset Management, along with a few family offices and international endowment funds from the US, Europe, West Asia and Singapore have evinced interest in buying the two Leela hotels, currently under the control of financial services conglomerate JM Financial Group’s asset reconstruction firm JM Financial Asset Reconstruction Co. Pvt. Ltd, according to the two persons. 

“The Chennai and Goa five-star hotels are two of the finest properties of The Leela Group. Many investors have shown keenness in the two properties. Five of them have been shortlisted. While some buyers intend to completely buy out one of the two hotels, other players are interested in buying majority stakes in both the properties. The deal is in the final stages and is likely to be closed by December,” said one of two persons cited above, on condition of anonymity. 

With 206 guest rooms and suites, The Leela Goa, built in 1991, is spread across 50 acres at Cavelossim on Mobor beach in South Goa. It is one of the best performing hotels of the group. The Leela at Chennai was opened in September 2012. The hotel, with 326 guest rooms, is built on 4.8 acres of land. While the exact size of the deal is yet to be ascertained, the two persons cited above said the Chennai property is valued at around Rs.1,300 crore and the one at Goa is worth INR.200-300 crore. 

Replying to an email, a JM Financial spokesperson said, “As a policy, we do not comment on speculation.” The Blackstone Group, too, replied saying, “As a matter of policy, Blackstone does not comment on media/market speculation.” A Hotel Leelaventure spokesperson declined to comment. And, an e-mail sent to Brookfield Asset Management did not elicit any response. The two hotels were taken over by JM Financial Asset Reconstruction Co. in July 2014 from a consortium of banks led by State Bank of India after the lenders restructured Hotel Leelaventure’s debt (taken for building the two hotels) under the corporate debt restructuring (CDR) mechanism. 

“Post the purchase of loans against Leela properties from the banks last year, JM Financial Asset Reconstruction Co. got two board positions in the company. Over the past year, costs of running the hotels have been brought under control to optimise the performance of the hotels and improve margins. Even after the sell-off of the two hotels, the current management at the two Leela hotels is likely to be retained; the way the existing team works will continue and the Leela brand too will be retained,” said the first person. 

A senior hospitality consultant, requesting anonymity, said Hotel Leelaventure is desperate to reduce its debt burden and a divestment will create a positive impact on the hospitality and banking sector as a whole as the company features at the top of the list of indebted hospitality firms. “However, the Leela brand is strong and robust. The international investors would want to retain the Leela brand post sale,” the consultant, who advises several hotel groups, said. 

Based in Mumbai, The Leela Group owns and manages eight properties in prime urban locations and holiday destinations across India, including Mumbai, New Delhi, Gurgaon, Bengaluru, Chennai, Goa, Udaipur and Kovalam. New properties are under development in Bengaluru, Jaipur, Agra, Lucknow and Kathmandu, among other places. On 2 March, Hotel Leelaventure announced plans to sell its properties in Goa and Chennai to cut debt. 

The company said it plans to divest select hotels while continuing to grow through managing and operating new hotels. JM Financial Asset Reconstruction Co. paid around INR865 crore to the lenders to buy a number of properties of Hotel Leelaventure across India, including the Chennai and Goa five-star hotels. 

The amount paid by JM Financial Asset Reconstruction Co. was about 20% of the total sum, for loans to Leela hotels. The transaction helped the consortium of banks sell 98% (INR.4,100 crore of the overall dues of INR.4,200 crore) of exposure to Hotel Leelaventure. As per the CDR terms, the company had to reduce its debt through sale of assets. Troubled loans are usually referred to the CDR cell of lenders after a majority of them approve a recast, which could entail a lower interest rate, a longer repayment period, or the conversion of overdue interest into loan principal. 

In 2011, Hotel Leelaventure sold off its luxury hotel Leela Kovalam in Kerala for INR.500 crore to Travancore Enterprises. In 2013, it sold its IT Park Building in Chennai for INR.170.17 crore to Reliance Industries.
Source: http://www.hospitalitybizindia.com

Hotel occupancy rate rising in Chennai on surge in business travel, medical tourism

As per a report in The Hindu Business Line,with the rise in business activity and booming healthcare and medical tourism industry, the hospitality sector is seeing a turn around with increasing occupancy rates. Saleem Yousuff, Area Director — Taj Hotels Chennai and General Manager, Taj Coromandel, said that multi- and super-speciality hospitals are seeing a significant influx of international and domestic patients. “Also, with more investments coming to Chennai from various sectors and the growing number of middle- and senior-level business travellers to the city, we have been witnessing signs of rebound in demand for rooms,” he added.However, Yousuff did not share the details on the current occupancy levels. 

ITC Grand Chola, a premium luxury hotel in Chennai, reported an occupancy rate of 75 per cent recently, almost 15 per cent higher compared with last year. Anil Chadha, Area Manager South, ITC Hotels and General Manager ITC Grand Chola, said: “We have been seeing a rise in the number of business travellers to the city starting April.” 

Sashi Kumar U, Senior General Manager, Radisson Blu GRT, said the hotel occupancy has remained constant at 77 per cent for the past six months, an increase in five per cent compared to the previous year.  “Even in April and May this year, which are considered offseason, the occupancy rate was better compared to 2014,” he added. Occupancy by tourists has significantly increased as well. “Our bookings look good from September to February, when most tourists travel to India,” he said. 

According to a recent EY 2015 report on the global hospitality sector, India’s capital flows and tourist arrivals increased as a number of industry players reentered the market. An ICRA report says that revenue from the hospitality sector is expected to grow 9-11 per cent in 2015-16 with a rise in the occupancy rate. 

 R Rangachari, Advisor, South Indian Hotels and Restaurants Association (SIHRA), said the average room occupancy rate has risen to 65 per cent from 55 per last year. “After the global economic slowdown, the market is improving and there is increase in business activities around Chennai, which will improve the market,” he said. 

Another official from SIHRA said the business is showing good signs of recovery even without considering the high occupancy levels associated with the Global Investor Meet (a two-day event to attract investors to the State) and the conventions that happened in August preceding the meet. 
(Source: The Hindu Business Line)

‘Highly Engaged’ hotels more popular: TripAdvisor report

According to a PTI report, highly engaged hotels are more popular as compared to the non-engaged ones on the back of greater communication engagement with the customers, a recent survey showed. The average 'popularity ranking' for highly engaged hotels was 63 per cent higher than their non-engaged counterparts, according to a latest report by TripAdvisor, world's largest travel site operating in 45 countries. ‘High engagement’ is the communication engagement by responding to customer reviews on travel websites. It said highly engaged hotels could be seen by two of every three travellers searching that market, increasing its visibility. The report also found that highly engaged hotels see 30-40 per cent more traveller interaction with revenue-driving products like business listings. The report is based on data from over 12,000 properties located in the top 25 traffic markets on TripAdvisor, as well as interviews with executives from four global hotel chains. (Source: PTI)

Chef Kunal Kapur shares fascinating pickle tales on new show Pickle Nation

Chef Kunal Kapur is all set to take one through a ‘one of a kind’ journey of discovering local flavours of pickles across the country through 18 fascinating episodes of Pickle Nation on Living Foodz channel. The versatile chef travels across 11 cities of India such as Ahmedabad, Udaipur, Jaipur, Hyderabad, Chennai, Pondicherry, Kochi, Assam, Meghalaya, Varanasi and Goa unraveling an interesting pickle tale of each region, a release stated. 

Pickle Nation is not just about the pickle recipe or the process. Chef Kunal explores how pickle is the very fabric of our existence, culture, tastes, beliefs and customs and gives us an inside view of each region. “Making a pickle is the epitome of culinary strength; it is an art that is combined with a high level of science of preserving food. Around the world we have celebrated wine makers, cheese makers and even coffee brewers but we have never given the same stature to pickle makers. I am extremely excited to be unearthing these uniquely Indian stories of pickles & pickle makers, and sharing them with other food lovers..” said Chef Kunal Kapur.

 On exploring India and discovering pickles, he discovered some very interesting stories and facts which will be featured on the show.

Source: http://www.hospitalitybizindia.com

Average hotel price in India increases by 2% this year

In India, overall hotel prices paid by all travellers have witnessed a marginal rise of two per cent in the first six months of 2015 to an average of INR 6,411. The commercial capital of India- Mumbai, known for its buzzing night life recorded the highest rise of five per cent with an average of INR 8,091 making Mumbai the country’s city where travellers paid the most in the first half of 2015.

The city with heady mix of forts, shopping centres, food joints and the culture and tradition of Mughals- Delhi, retained its second spot despite a fall of three per cent with an average of INR 6,677. While cities like Bengaluru and Pune both had a marginal rise of three per cent, Goa which recorded the highest rise of 12 per cent last year, saw a minimal rise of three per cent with an average of INR 5,940 in the first half of 2015.

Chennai saw no change in price variation for hotel accommodation in the first six months of 2015 as compared to the same period last year whereas metro cities such as Kolkata and Hyderabad recorded a fall of two per cent and three per cent respectively. Travellers will be delighted to find that Jaipur continues to serve best value among the cities analysed with an average of INR 5,062 despite a rise of four per cent.

For the first time, hotel prices paid in three world regions have overtaken their pre-financial crisis levels of 2008/ 2009, with North America, the Caribbean and Latin America setting new records, although the overall global rise is up just one per cent in the first half of 2015 compared to the same period in 2014 according to the latest Hotel Price Index (HPI) from Hotels.com. More travellers, higher consumer spending in key areas and strong currency fluctuations have all contributed to this result.

Source:(http://www.financialexpress.com)

RoomsTonite expands booking window for up to 3 days

RoomsTonite, hotel booking app has announced the expansion of its booking window by an another day, enabling customers to check-in for day after tomorrow too. RoomsTonite has released an updated version of its Android app (V 3.7) that enables its users to book hotels for the same day, next day and day after tomorrow. Prior to this, the company was offering last minute hotel booking for same day and next day only. Currently, this additional booking window will be available only on Android.

Karthick Prabu, chief product officer, RoomsTonite said, “This booking window expansion is a boon for customers, because now they get to book a hotel for day after tomorrow too, but at the same steal deal. Based on demand from our users, we observed that many of them wanted an extended booking window.”

Some other cool features in the updated app version include, options to filter hotels by price. For customer who have a budget in mind. RoomsTonite recently introduced some features on its Android app that enables customers to see hotels by its classification – luxury, premium, and comfort, introduction of hotel reviews and launch of Hotels on Map, which enables users to see hotels in a destination on GPS-based map.

Source:(http://www.financialexpress.com)

CG Hotels & Resorts opens The Fern Residency in Somnath, Gujarat

The Fern Hotels & Resorts recently announced the opening of Fern Residency, Somnath, a mid-scale business hotel in the Gir-Somnath district of Gujarat. The hotel is managed by Concept Hospitality Pvt Ltd, that belongs to CG Hotels and Resorts, a hospitality wing of CG Corp Global. The hotel was inaugurated by religious leader and kathakaar ‘Shri Morari Bapu’. With the addition of the Somnath hotel, the group has extended the total number of hotels in the state to six hotels and has plans to open more in future. 

The hotel is centrally located at a distance of 1 km from the Somnath railway station and 8 km from the Veraval railway station. The Fern Residency, Somnath has 56 exquisitely designed guest rooms placed in four categories, Winter Green, Winter Green Premium, Fern Club, Hazel Suite which reflect the unique, luxurious and rich culture of the Gujarat region, with strong, bright tones and art across the hotel. With one restaurant, two banquet halls and the latest business services, the hotel is ideal for both business and leisure traveller.
Source:(http://www.hospitalitybizindia.com)

Tata group exits from Taj Palace Hotel, Dubai

As per a PTI news report, Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces, part of the Tata Group, announced yesterday that it has exited from the management of Taj Palace Hotel, Dubai, after 14 years of operations. It did not gave any reason for ending the management contract. Located at Deira, it was operating the hotel since 2001 and it was handed back to its owner - Juma Al Majid Group, on August 31 2015, the hospitality major said in a statement. 

"By virtue of a mutual agreement reached between the erstwhile partners, Taj Palace Hotel, Dubai, which has been successfully run by Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces since 2001, will be handed back to the Juma Al Majid Group, on 31st August 2015," the statement said. Source: (http://www.hospitalitybizindia.com)

Cygnett Hotels & Resorts Pvt Ltd appoints Deepak Jad as Chief Planning Officer – Projects & Technical Services

Deepak Jad has joined Cygnett Hotels & Resorts Pvt Ltd as Chief Planning Officer – Projects & Technical Services, a release stated. Jad’s skills cover a wide area of expertise, including project management, design optimization of projects, space planning & design briefs, technical feasibility of projects, technical standards,quantity surveying, cost negotiations and close out coordination & testing commissioning at handover stage.

 Jad was instrumental in setting up the Design and Technical services department at Accor hotels in India and has provided technical assistance for over 40 hotel projects ranging mid level to luxury projects including the construction of top hotels such as The Oberoi Udaivilas Udaipur, which is rated among the best hotels in world. 

 Jad's experience spans across a range of industries and projects including Hotels, Convention centers, Education facilities,Serviced Apartments, Residential & Commercial building projects. He has attended a number of technical workshops with Accor at Paris and Bangkok. He is fully conversant with International Hotel design standards having worked with many leading International Architects. 

Jad is a qualified civil engineer with a graduate degree from BITS, Pilani and a post graduate Diploma in construction management from NICMAR, Pune, with more than 20 years experience in India and South Asia. source:(Hospitalitybizindia.com)

St. Regis Hotels & Resorts makes South Asia debut with the St. Regis Mumbai

Starwood’s Ultra-Luxury brand introduces its signature Butler Service

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. announced the opening of the highly anticipated St. Regis Mumbai. In partnership with Pallazzio Hotels & Leisure Limited, the hotel marks the entry of the St. Regis brand in India and South Asia. With this debut, the luxury brand has tripled its global footprint in the past decade to 35 hotels in the most coveted destinations around the world, a release stated. 

“The introduction of St. Regis to India marks a significant milestone for the brand’s expansion in South Asia, and Mumbai displays a robust demand for high-end hospitality from this increasingly affluent region,” said Dilip Puri, Managing Director India and Regional Vice President South Asia, Starwood Hotels & Resorts.

 “We are uniquely positioned to cater to the needs of a new generation of luxury travellers, offering an enriching experience informed by the brand's legacy.” “We look forward to a long-term collaboration with Starwood Hotels & Resorts,”commented Atul Ruia, Managing Director Phoenix Mills Ltd & Director Pallazzio Hotels & Leisure Ltd. “Through its unparalleled service, The St. Regis Mumbai provides an uncompromising experience to its guests – the global business travellers, connoisseurs of the good life, and aficionados of art and culture.” 

“Mumbai is emerging as a world-class travel destination, presenting the perfect setting for the St Regis brand,” added Amit Bhosale, Executive Director, ABIL Hospitality Pvt Ltd. & Director, Pallazzio Hotels & Leisure Ltd. “We feel that it’s a great opportunity to introduce the legendary brand’s bespoke services and programs to the well-heeled travelers of today and tomorrow.” 

The St Regis Mumbai is located in Lower Parel, the city’s premium commercial, residential and entertainment district. The hotel provides easy access to the commercial centers including the Bandra Kurla Complex and Nariman Point, as well as to the airport. The hotel’s design captures an urban aristocratic style, complemented by warm tones and specially commissioned art work which lends an elegant and stylish touch to the guest rooms and public spaces. 

Residing in India’s tallest hotel tower, The St. Regis Mumbai offers panoramic views of the bustling metropolis. The hotel includes 386 well-appointed guest rooms including 27 suites and, for extended stays, the property’s 33 residential suites feature a spacious living room, fully equipped kitchen and the option of one or two bedrooms. 

Following in the tradition of the St. Regis brand's legendary New York hotel, The St. Regis Mumbai features the famed hallmarks including St Regis Butler Service. Butlers provide round-the-clock anticipatory, yet unobtrusive service and customize each guest's stay according to their specific tastes and preferences. 

The St. Regis Mumbai houses nine elegant restaurants, bars and nightlife destinations. The afternoon tea ritual comes to life in the lobby which has a drawing room ambience. With the addition of local flavours and Indian estate teas, guests enjoy a distinct interpretation of the classic afternoon pastime. Inspired by the iconic King Cole Bar at The St. Regis New York which was the birthplace of the original Bloody Mary, The St Regis Bar serves its own signature version of the iconic cocktail which embodies the bold spirit of the city by embracing spices like cinnamon and coriander to create a soulful Indian version of the classic. 

Seven Kitchens with its natural light, vast interiors, international cuisine and popular Sunday Brunch, is perfect for gatherings with friends and family, whereas The Sahib Room & Kipling Bar, inspired by the colonial era, is renowned for its robust Indian delicacies and flavours. 

By the Mekong takes guests on a gastronomic journey through China, Thailand and Vietnam, and Yuuka turns the finest Japanese ingredients into modern, culinary masterpieces. Li Bai offers exciting nightlife entertainment with live jazz performances and Exo,  said to be the city’s highest nightclub, offers signature cocktails in a refined setting. Guests can enjoy unparalleled vistas of the city at Asilo, the hotel’s signature rooftop bar. The St. Regis Mumbai’s luxury spa features 9 treatment rooms within tranquil surroundings. The hotel additionally offers a fitness center, a 25-meter outdoor pool with panoramic views and a professional salon. 

With over 3900 square meters of event space, including the alfresco Terrace Garden, a dedicated entrance and reception foyer, The St. Regis Mumbai reportedly, offers the perfect setting for glamorous, large scale events. A dedicated bridal area with a separate bridal salon makes the Ballroom the ideal venue for wedding ceremonies and receptions.

Source:(Hospitalitybizindia.com)

Chef Sanjev Kapoor creates dessert using 100k gold on PM’s trip to UAE

According to a report in The Economic Times by Masoom Gupte, on Prime Minister Modi’s recent trip to UAE, Chef Sanjeev Kapoor was handed the mandate to whip up a few exotic dishes. Taking inspiration from the golden interiors of the hotel that Modi was staying at, The Emirates Palace Hotel, Kapoor created the dessert, a 100-karat gold amarkhand. Kapoor zeroed in on shrikhand, a milk-based dessert, and added his own spin to it. He added the soft mango candy, coated with a gold leaf. There was a garnish of gold dust and flakes. The blanched pistachios covered with gold dust served as tiny gold pebbles. Made of four 24-karat gold elements, the dessert had a total of 96 – karat gold on the plate, said Sanjeev Kapoor. (Source : The Economic Times)

Sula’s Dindori Reserve Shiraz features in Wine Enthusiast’s Top 100 Wines of the Year

Sula Vineyards Dindori Reserve Shiraz 2011 has featured on the top 100 list of wines by the wine magazine, WineEnthusiast. The magazine’s expert tasting panel reviewed over 17,500 wines from across the world, taking into consideration factors such as price, style, region, etc. before narrowing down the top 100 wines of the year. The Dindori Reserve Shiraz 2011, racking up 93 points, was described to be an inky violet-red wine with the nose of cassis, blackberry and bell pepper and was also the editors pick. The Wine ranked 25 in the top 100 list.

Sula Vineyards discovered Dindori as a wine making region that is today regarded as having the best terroir for red wine in India. TheDindori Reserve Shiraz was Sula’s first reserve wine. This is yet another achievement for Sula and Indian wines. 

In response to achieving this international recognition, Rajeev Samant, Founder & CEO, Sula Vineyards said, “A proud moment for us as this is the first time an Indian wine has made it to this prestigious list and that too at No. 25! A great compliment to our tireless vineyard and winemaking teams, this just shows that the world is sitting up and taking notice of Indian wines.”

Source: http://www.hospitalitybizindia.com/

Chef Jamie Oliver to open his signature restaurants in Delhi NCR soon

Jamie Oliver, renowned international chef and campaigner for good food, will bring his two restaurant brands – Jamie’s Italian and Jamie’s Pizzeria into India soon. While Jamie's Italian will open in Ambience Mall, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi, Jamie’s Pizzeria will open in Ambience Mall Gurgaon. Both restaurants will open within the next few months. 

A partnership between Jamie Oliver and his Italian mentor, Chef Gennaro Contaldo, Jamie’s Italian has won thousands of fans all over the world for its tasty and affordable food, friendly service and buzzing atmosphere. The menu is based on dishes from beautiful bowls of fresh pasta that’s made on-site every day to mouthwatering grills and indulgent desserts. Jamie's Pizzeria by Jamie Oliver is a fun and affordable pizzeria. The restaurant will offer handmade, great value, artisanal pizzas topped with fresh ingredients and packed with big flavours. The dough will be freshly made on-site every day and will be cooked to order in front of guests.

 Explaining the approach to his restaurants, Jamie said, "Since I was a teenager, I've been totally besotted by the love, passion and verve for food, family and life itself that just about all the Italian people have, no matter where they're from or how rich or poor they may be. And that's what I'm passionate about – good food for everyone, no matter what". Commenting on Indian foray, he said, “I can't tell you how excited I am to be bringing Jamie's Italian and Jamie's Pizzeria to India. Delhi is a vibrant, colourful, buzzing city with an already incredible food scene, so to be opening two restaurants there is a huge honour. Right now we're recruiting for two brilliant new teams who will become part of our ever-growing family. When we open the doors of both restaurants, they'll be serving up some really beautiful, simple, great-value Italian food, all made with the very best-quality ingredients we can get our hands on.” 

A  renowned chef and a campaigner of good food, Jamie has sold 37 million books to date, made over 30 television shows and has 63 restaurants in 11 countries. Over 1.5 million people have signed his 2015 Food Revolution Day petition.

Taj Mumbai’s star chef Hemant Oberoi to launch signature restaurant in Mumbai

• Hemant Oberoi, the man behind the food at some of the Taj Group's renowned restaurants is all set to launch his dream project- a signature restaurant in Mumbai. Currently grand executive chef at the Taj Mahal Palace in Mumbai and corporate chef for the Taj luxury division,  Oberoi is set to retire in a few weeks after serving 41 years with the Tata-owned group.
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• "Hopefully, the restaurant will happen soon. I have not yet given it any shape, but I know it will have fresh produce and no fixed menu. Every day will be different and I would like to serve what I feel like cooking that day. The cuisine would most likely be global and fusion. Both my sons would join me as I believe the legacy must be carried on," Oberoi.
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• Oberoi has played a key role in setting up some of the Taj's most valued restaurant brands —Varq, Masala Kraft, Wasabi and, of course, Zodiac Grill.

Source: http://www.indiahospitalityreview.com/

List of Movies based on Hotels

11.Gran Hotel (2011 TV Series)
  1905. Julio, a young man, arrives at the Grand Hotel, an idyllic place in the middle of the countryside... (60 mins.)
Stars: Adriana Ozores, Amaia Salamanca, Yon González, Eloy Azorín




12.At the Hotel (2006 TV Series)
Director: Ken Finkleman
Stars: Natalie Lisinska, Benz Antoine, Martha Henry, Diego Klattenhoff




13.Das Adlon. Eine Familiensaga (2013 Mini-Series)
  (270 mins.)
Stars: Josefine Preuß, Heino Ferch, Marie Bäumer, Wotan Wilke Möhring




14.Fawlty Towers (1975 TV Series)
Hotel owner Basil Fawlty's incompetence, short fuse, and arrogance form a combination that ensures accidents and trouble are never far away. (30 mins.)
Stars: John Cleese, Prunella Scales, Andrew Sachs, Connie Booth




15.Las Vegas (2003 TV Series)
Welcome to the Montecito Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, where you can do anything you want... but Ed Deline and his crack surveillance team will be watching. Just remember, what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas... (60 mins.)
Stars: Josh Duhamel, James Caan, James Lesure, Vanessa Marcil




16.The Bellboy (1960)
In Miami Beach, the mute bellboy Stanley works at the luxurious Fontainebleau Hotel. In spite of being a serviceable and friendly employee, the clumsy Stanley gets successively into trouble with his mistakes. (72 mins.)
Director: Jerry Lewis
Stars: Jerry Lewis, Alex Gerry, Bob Clayton, Sonnie Sands





17.Blame It on the Bellboy (1992)
Messrs Lawton (a hit-man), Horton (expecting some middle-aged dating agency nooky) and Orton (checking... (78 mins.)
Director: Mark Herman
Stars: Bronson Pinchot, Dudley Moore, Bryan Brown, Richard Griffiths




18.Blonde Crazy (1931)
Adventures of a cocky con man and his glamorous accomplice.(79 mins.)
Director: Roy Del Ruth
Stars: James Cagney, Joan Blondell, Louis Calhern, Noel Francis




19.Plaza Suite (1971)
Three separate stories concerning relationship issues are presented, each largely taking place in suite 719 of the Plaza Hotel in New York City... (114 mins.)
Director: Arthur Hiller
Stars: Walter Matthau, Maureen Stapleton, Barbara Harris, Lee Grant




20.California Suite (1978)
Misadventures of four groups of guests at the Beverly Hills Hotel. (103 mins.)
Director: Herbert Ross
Stars: Jane Fonda, Alan Alda, Maggie Smith, Michael Caine




21.Chelsea on the Rocks (2008 Documentary)
 Chelsea on the Rocks celebrates the personalities and artistic voices that have emerged from the legendary residence... (89 mins.)
Director: Abel Ferrara
Stars: Ira Cohen, Gerald Busby, Stanley Bard, Quentin Crisp




22.Hotel Berlin (1945)
Near the end of WW II, a member of the German underground (Martin Richter) escapes from the Gestapo and takes shelter at Hotel Berlin... (98 mins.)
Director: Peter Godfrey
Stars: Faye Emerson, Helmut Dantine, Raymond Massey, Andrea King




23.Maid in Manhattan (2002)
A senatorial candidate falls for a hotel maid, thinking she is a socialite when he sees her trying on a wealthy woman's dress.(105 mins.)
Director: Wayne Wang
Stars: Jennifer Lopez, Ralph Fiennes, Natasha Richardson, Stanley Tucci





24.The Night Porter (1974)
After a chance meeting at a hotel in 1957, a Holocaust survivor and the Nazi officer who tortured her resume their sadomasochistic relationship. (118 mins.)
Director: Liliana Cavani
Stars: Dirk Bogarde, Charlotte Rampling, Philippe Leroy, Gabriele Ferzetti




25.Hotel Rwanda (2004)
The true story of Paul Rusesabagina, a hotel manager who housed over a thousand Tutsi refugees during their struggle against the Hutu militia in Rwanda. (121 mins.)
Director: Terry George
Stars: Don Cheadle, Sophie Okonedo, Joaquin Phoenix, Xolani Mali




26.Pretty Woman (1990)
A man in a legal but hurtful business needs an escort for some social events, and hires a beautiful prostitute he meets... only to fall in love. (119 mins.)
Director: Garry Marshall
Stars: Richard Gere, Julia Roberts, Jason Alexander, Laura San Giacomo




27.Casino (1995)
Greed, deception, money, power, and murder occur between two mobster best friends and a trophy wife over a gambling empire. (178 mins.)
Director: Martin Scorsese
Stars: Robert De Niro, Sharon Stone, Joe Pesci, James Woods




28.Tower Heist (2011)
When a group of hard-working guys find out they've fallen victim to their wealthy employer's Ponzi scheme, they conspire to rob his high-rise residence. (104 mins.)
Director: Brett Ratner
Stars: Eddie Murphy, Ben Stiller, Casey Affleck, Alan Alda




29.Guest House Paradiso (1999)
Richie and Eddie are in charge of the worst hotel in the UK, Guest House Paradiso, neighbouring a nuclear power plant...(89 mins.)
Director: Adrian Edmondson
Stars: Rik Mayall, Adrian Edmondson, Bill Nighy, Kate Ashfield





30.Grand Hotel Excelsior (1982)
Taddeus is the manager of the Grand Hotel Excelsior. The Summer season begins in May and since then many odd persons frequent the hotel... (115 mins.)
Director: Castellano, Pipolo
Stars: Adriano Celentano, Enrico Montesano, Carlo Verdone, Diego Abatantuono




31.Agatha Christie's Miss Marple: At Bertram's Hotel (1987 TV Movie)
  During a stay at one of London's most elegant and venerable hotels Miss Marple uncovers a sinister undercurrent of corruption and murder beneath Bertram's stuffy veneer. (110 mins.)
Director: Mary McMurray
Stars: Joan Hickson, Caroline Blakiston, Helena Michell, James Cossins





32.Agatha Christie's Marple (2004 TV Series)
Episode: At Bertram's Hotel (2007)
Miss Marple spends a holiday in a luxurious London hotel. The sinister atmosphere, the odd disappearance of a clergyman and the murder of the commissionaire moves her on the trail of a clever criminal gang. (93 mins.)
Stars: Geraldine McEwan, Julia McKenzie, Stephen Churchett, Greg Bennett




33.Grandhotel (2006)
In this whimsical, rather fey movie in a setting that's both shabby (the city) and grand (the landscape)... (97 mins.)
Director: David Ondrícek
Stars: Marek Taclík, Klára Issová, Jaroslav Plesl, Jaromír Dulava




34.Hotel Malibu (1994 TV Series)
  (60 mins.)
Stars: Joanna Cassidy, Cheryl Pollak, John Dye, Harry O'Reilly




35.The Rosebud Beach Hotel (1984)
After taking over a failing Miami hotel with her workaholic fiance, Elliot, Tracy thinks Monique Gabrielle has seduced her better half-to-be... (83 mins.)
Director: Harry Hurwitz
Stars: Colleen Camp, Peter Scolari, Christopher Lee, Fran Drescher




36.Hotel Cæsar (1998 TV Series)
Hotel Cæsar is a Norwegian soap opera that has been broadcast on TV 2 since 1998. The show consists of more than 2,700 episodes... (30 mins.)
Director: Thomas Kaiser
Stars: Anette Hoff, Kim Kolstad, Sossen Krohg, Tom Eddie Brudvik





37.Hotel Polan und seine Gäste (1982 TV Series)
 (343 mins.)
Stars: Elzbieta Starostecka, Dieter Montag, Hans-Joachim Frank, Kalina Jedrusik




38.Zaklete rewiry (1975)
(94 mins.)
Director: Janusz Majewski
Stars: Marek Kondrat, Roman Wilhelmi, Roman Skamene, Cestmír Randa




39.La locandiera (1980)
(109 mins.)
Director: Paolo Cavara
Stars: Claudia Mori, Adriano Celentano, Paolo Villaggio, Marco Messeri




40.Hotelier (2001 TV Series)
Director: Yong-woo Chung
Stars: Hwa-jeong Choi, Yong-jun Bae, Jin-hie Han, Jun-ho Heo





41.Le concierge (1973)
(100 mins.)
Director: Jean Girault
Stars: Michel Galabru, Bernard Le Coq, Maureen Kerwin, Jean Carmet
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