Novotel Vijayawada Varun Celebrates Andhra’s Culinary Heritage with Avakaya Mixing Ceremony

Novotel Vijayawada Varun Celebrates Andhra’s Culinary Heritage with Avakaya Mixing Ceremony

By Nishang Narayan

Published on May 29, 2025

Novotel Vijayawada Varun recently brought the city’s culinary heritage to life with a vibrant Avakaya Mixing Ceremony, honouring the age-old Andhra tradition of mango pickle preparation. Held on May 25th, the immersive event welcomed chefs, food enthusiasts, and guests to celebrate the arrival of the mango season through this beloved cultural ritual.

Hosted at The Terrace, the event was a beautiful blend of heritage and hospitality. Attendees gathered around freshly chopped raw mangoes, gingelly oil, and traditional spices, joining hands to prepare Avakaya in a communal spirit. The evening began with refreshing local drinks like Mango Ice Apple Smoothie and Watermelon Mint Mojito, followed by a spread of nostalgic handcrafted snacks including Mamidi Tandra, Tati Tandra, and Kobbari Mamidikaya Mukkalu.

Hotel Manager Manish Pathak shared, “This event beautifully bridges local culture with contemporary hospitality, embodying the core ethos of Novotel Vijayawada Varun. The Avakaya Mixing Ceremony offers our guests an authentic taste of tradition, reflecting our unwavering commitment to community engagement and preserving Andhra’s rich regional flavours within a refined setting.”

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The culinary journey continued with a curated menu featuring regional specialties such as Korrala Gunta Puli Bongaralu, Kotha Avakaya Mudda Pappu Dumplings, Metha Chekkalu, Mamidikaya Bhajji, and Perugu Awada. Guests also enjoyed an Araku Filter Coffee and Masala Tea Bar, paired with local snacks, as live instrumental music elevated the immersive experience.

To mark the occasion, guests received handcrafted jars of Avakaya—a delicious takeaway that not only symbolised the start of the pickle season but also served as a flavourful reminder of Andhra’s gastronomic roots.


Chinese Wok Marks 10th Anniversary by Serving 10,000 Meals to Children Across India

Chinese Wok Marks 10th Anniversary by Serving 10,000 Meals to Children Across India

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on September 17, 2025

Chinese Wok, India’s largest home-grown Desi Chinese QSR brand, marked its 10th anniversary with a celebration rooted in joy and community spirit. Instead of limiting the milestone to its restaurants, the brand chose to give back by serving more than 10,000 freshly prepared meals to school children across 10 cities in 10 days.

The initiative spanned major cities including Mumbai, Delhi NCR, Bengaluru, Pune, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Chennai, and Lucknow, reaching underserved communities with hearty Desi Chinese meals. Each event became a celebration of togetherness, with children enjoying not just the food but also moments of laughter, games, and branded merchandise that made the experience memorable.

What made the initiative truly special was the hands-on participation of hundreds of Chinese Wok employees from restaurants, regional offices, and the corporate team. They came together to cook, serve, and spend time with the children, ensuring the celebration went beyond food to create genuine connections.

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Reflecting on the milestone, Aayush Madhusudan Agrawal, Director, Lenexis Foodworks, shared,

“Completing 10 years is a proud milestone for all of us at Chinese Wok. We wanted to celebrate not just within our restaurants, but by bringing joy to children and communities that inspire us every day. This initiative reflects our long-term belief that food can be a force for good, and we will continue to build on this commitment as we grow.”

This initiative also underscores the larger vision of Lenexis Foodworks, the parent company of Chinese Wok, Big Bowl, and The Momo Co. By focusing on food as a force for good, the group continues to expand its footprint across India while making a lasting impact in the communities it serves.


Sip in Style: Yuki’s Tequila Cocktails Hit All the Right Notes

Sip in Style: Yuki’s Tequila Cocktails Hit All the Right Notes

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on July 31, 2025

At Yuki, sipping tequila is no longer just about salt and lime, it’s about exploring bold flavours, subtle aromas, and creative twists inspired by Pan-Asian flair. This stylish spot isn’t just a feast for the palate with its cuisine, but now also delights with a cocktail menu that’s bursting with personality.

Whether you’re a tequila enthusiast or just cocktail-curious, Yuki’s mixologists have designed a lineup that balances classic notes with playful innovation. Here’s what’s pouring:

Pandan Teq-Tea

This one’s a game-changer. A gentle blend of tequila, pandan syrup, and a hint of lime creates a smooth, slightly sweet drink with a vanilla-like aroma. It’s soft, fragrant, and a total crowd-pleaser for those who like their cocktails a little off the beaten path.

Summer in Osaka

If summer had a signature drink, this would be it. Imagine tequila meeting creamy toasted coconut, refreshing coconut water, earthy matcha crème, and a dusting of beetroot. The result? A layered, tropical cocktail that feels like a warm breeze with every sip.

Tuk Tuk Tom

This one’s for the bold-hearted. Inspired by Southeast Asian street flavors, it brings the iconic zing of Tom Yum into your glass. Tequila mingles with chilli heat, parsley freshness, and a citrusy lift from lime, giving you a spicy, herby hit that lingers in the best way.

The Classic Margarita

Some things never go out of style. Yuki’s take on the Margarita keeps it clean and crisp, premium agave, a splash of orange liqueur, and fresh lime juice. It’s a simple reminder of why this cocktail became a global favourite in the first place.

Yuki Picante

Think tropical meets spicy. Pineapple juice, lime, and agave nectar form the base, while coriander and jalapeño bring a zesty punch. It's lively, bold, and designed to wake up your taste buds.

Yuki doesn’t just serve cocktails, it curates experiences in a glass. Whether you're out with friends or just winding down after a long day, their tequila range adds the perfect spark to your evening. So the next time you’re at Yuki, raise a glass to flavour, flair, and a sip-worthy adventure.


The Real Pizza Company Serves Up a Bold New Lineup of Flavour and Fire

The Real Pizza Company Serves Up a Bold New Lineup of Flavour and Fire

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on July 31, 2025

The Real Pizza Company has just turned up the heat with the launch of its bold and exciting new menu. Known for its playful yet comforting dishes, the restaurant now invites food lovers to explore a line-up that blends global inspiration with local flair — all served up with signature style.

From wood-fired pizzas that pack a flavourful punch to wings that come glazed in sticky sriracha, the revamped menu is designed for those who enjoy their comfort food with a side of creativity. Whether you're stopping by for a quick bite, sharing a meal with friends, or looking to end your meal on a sweet note, there's something new and memorable for everyone.

Among the highlights is the Full House Pizza, a generously topped creation layered with Italian tomato sauce, mozzarella, pepperoni, ham, roasted peppers, sweetcorn, pineapple, and red onion, offering a burst of flavour in every bite.

For those who love an Indian twist, the Tandoori Chicken Pizza brings a spicy desi touch with tandoori chicken, jalapeños, bell peppers, and red onions on a classic tomato and mozzarella base, bold, fiery, and full of character.

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Craving something spicy and saucy? The Sriracha Chicken Wings come crisped to perfection and tossed in a sticky-sweet glaze, garnished with sesame seeds and spring onions for extra flavour and crunch.

And for dessert lovers, the new Biscoff Doughballs are a revelation, soft, warm doughballs stuffed with Biscoff, dusted with cinnamon sugar, and finished with a drizzle of caramel.

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Every dish on the new menu reflects The Real Pizza Company’s playful yet thoughtful approach to food. From creative pairings to crowd-pleasing favourites reimagined, it’s all about bold bites and memorable moments.

 Location: Ground Floor, Gravity Building, Prestige Tech Park, Kadubeesanahalli, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560103.

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