Chettinadu Food Festival at Courtyard by Marriott, Bhopal

Hello Chatora People,

The month of May is all about madness and by that madness, I mean Hustle Bustle. Yes, my social media accounts must have given you an idea of why I mentioned this. For those who are not aware, I’d like to mention that this month has started with a Bang! Loads of work and food. Did I mention Travel?

Recently, I was invited to experience the Chettinadu Food Festival at Courtyard by Marriott, Bhopal and I would’ve literally given it a skip as I had loads of other things lined up the very same day. But somehow I decided to go and at least have a glance of it because I have a soft corner for South Indian Food. <3

P.S. For all those who think South Indian food is just about Idly, Sambar, Dosa and Vada, you are highly mistaken. South Indian Food is way beyond all of these and every region is south offers something different and exclusive.

Courtyard by Marriott, Bhopal is hosting a 10 day South Indian food festival named Chettinadu Food Festival for the next 10 days.

During the festival special dinner including popular Chettinad dishes can be relished at MoMo Café. Chettinad cuisine specialist Chef G Somasundaram has come all the way from Madurai to fill Bhopal with happy surprises.

South Indian cooking offers a wide range of chutneys and pickles ranging from rich to simple, preserved and fresh. Flavours too vary from spicy to tangy and sweet-and-sour so you can pick what you want depending on the what’s on your plate.

The ten-day food festival has an array of authentically spiced Chettinad vegetarian and non-vegetarian delicacies like idiyappam, paniyaram, vellai paniyaram Chettinad chicken, Vazhsipoo Meen Kuzhambu, Kuzhi Paniyaram and many more

Ravish Mishra, Executive Chef, Courtyard by Marriott, Bhopal said “Chettinadu Cuisine – a dinner time feast – is vibrant, vivid and vivacious by all means. Generally synonymous very spicy food, in reality, Chettinadu cuisine is a complex blend of well-balanced flavours. There is a famous saying in south India that one is lucky to eat like a Chettiar. Chettiars -also called Nagarathars- were a small community of traders, merchants and bankers who lived at Poompuhar and Kaveripatnam under the Chola kingdom”.

Guest Chef G Somasundaram said “We would be offering numerous vegetarian and non-vegetarian options alongside made to order varieties. The Chettinad food festival is not only focussing on the flavours of Karaikudi but is providing a complete experience of a Chettiar meal, from starters to dessert. From the Vazapoo Vadai, {banana flower fritters} to the pal payasam {an almond flavoured dessert} there are many varieties of food for you to try”.

The starters had both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. Vegetarian dishes include idiyappam, paniyaram, vellai paniyaram, karuppatti paniyaram, paal paniyaram, kuzhi paniyaram, kozhakattai, masala paniyaram, adikoozh, kandharappam, seeyam, masala seeyam, kavuni arisi and athirasam. The non-vegetarian items included dishes like Chettinadu biryani, mutton pepper fry, Chettinadu chicken, Dindigul biryani, Vicchey parota, Kuttu parota, Appam, Paniyeram, Payasam etc.

What I Had?

Masala Dal Vada: Super crunchy and crispy delectable Dal Vadas were prepared with a chana dal paste along with onions and ginger paste which enhanced the overall flavour of these vadas giving it a unique texture and warm flavour.

Paniyaram: Crispy, fried and tasty fritters coming from the south region. Tasted like they’re made from fermented idly and urad dal batter. Relished it with coconut chutney.

Chettinadu chicken: One of the most famous South Indian chicken curry. Made with lots of freshly roasted aromatic spices and coconut, this chicken is extremely delicious and spicy.

Chettinad biryani is one of the most flavourful biryanis This Biryani was very flavourful due to coconut milk and the rice used were different, unlike the basmati rice we use to make biryani. Spicy and more like pulav but was a biryani instead. Also, the style of dum cooking is totally different giving a distinct flavour. I’ve lived in the south and relished such biryani before so it was a total win-win moment for me.

The other things that I had were brinjal cooked in some spices, I cannot really remember the name along with parotha. tasted brilliant.

Finished off with Payasam and oh my goddddd!! Win my heart with a dessert. everyone knows.

The festival is currently underway and on till 19th May 2019.

The food festival is a perfect example of the food eaten in Madhurai and it is one that will leave you with some great food memories. All in all, it was a wonderful experience that took me back to my fond memories from the south. It’s a great opportunity for the food lovers of Bhopal if you wish to splurge on some authentic South Indian delicacies. 🙂

Lastly, I would like to thank Prakruti and Ravindra Jee for having me over.

Thank you Chef G Somasundaram, Mr. Alok, Chef Ravish for a divine experience.

P.S. The author was invited and the reviews are personal.

Tastes are subjective and may differ from person to person.

Till then, Happy Hogging!

Restaurant: Momo Cafe, Courtyard by Marriott

Address: DB City, Arera Hills.

Date: 10th May to 19th May 2019

Timing: 1900-2330 Hours

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