Chef Surendra Rawat Showcases Uttarakhand Cuisine at Veggie Fest Chicago 2025

Chef Surendra Rawat Showcases Uttarakhand Cuisine at Veggie Fest Chicago 2025

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on August 14, 2025

Veggie Fest Chicago, one of the largest vegetarian food and wellness festivals in the United States, welcomed over 40,000 attendees this year for a weekend of plant-based flavors, health-focused workshops, and cultural exchange. Among the culinary highlights was the participation of Chef Surendra Rawat, Executive Chef at India Palace Restaurant in Wheaton, Illinois, and an active member of the American Culinary Federation, Indian Culinary Forum, and Chefs’ Guild of India.

With over 15 years of professional culinary experience, Chef Rawat used the festival’s stage to bring the lesser-known cuisine of Uttarakhand to an international audience. His live demonstration featured three traditional dishes: instant vegetable pickle, Himalayan Heritage Bread stuffed with Black Lentils, and mushroom masala. These dishes reflected his dedication to preserving regional flavors while promoting the health benefits of traditional Indian ingredients.

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Himalayan Heritage Bread Stuffed with Black Lentils

Ingredients:

  • ½ cup ragi (finger millet) flour
  • 1 cup whole wheat flour
  • ¾ cup water (or as needed)
  • ½ cup black lentils, soaked overnight
  • Pinch of red chili powder
  • Pinch of ajwain (caraway seeds)
  • Salt to taste
  • 1 tsp chopped fresh cilantro
  • ½ tsp minced garlic

Method:

  1. Prepare the dough by mixing ragi flour, whole wheat flour, and water until smooth and pliable.
  2. Drain the soaked lentils and grind coarsely. Mix with red chili powder, ajwain, salt, cilantro, and garlic to make the stuffing.
  3. Divide the dough into small balls, flatten slightly, and place a spoonful of stuffing in the center. Seal and roll out gently into a roti.
  4. Cook each roti on a hot griddle for 1–2 minutes on each side until golden brown. Serve hot.

Mushroom Masala

A hearty dish made with mustard seeds, garlic, onions, tomatoes, mushrooms, and a blend of traditional Indian spices, cooked until the mushrooms absorb the rich flavors. The result is a vibrant, aromatic preparation that’s perfect with Indian breads or rice.

Instant Vegetable Pickle

A quick, tangy, and spicy side dish prepared using fresh vegetables, mustard oil, and an assortment of ground spices. This pickle delivers a punch of flavor and is a perfect complement to any Indian meal.

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A Culinary Ambassador for Uttarakhand

For Chef Rawat, events like Veggie Fest Chicago are more than just cooking demonstrations—they are cultural showcases. Through his dishes, he introduces audiences to the diversity of Indian vegetarian cuisine and the nutritional benefits of native ingredients. His culinary outreach extends beyond festivals to nonprofit organizations, public libraries, and professional chef associations, where he has conducted numerous educational cooking sessions.

Currently working on his debut chef memoir, Chef Rawat aims to document his journey from his village roots to the professional kitchens of America, blending personal stories with traditional recipes.

“Indian cuisine is so much more than butter chicken and naan,” he says. “I want the world to know our grains, our greens, our mountain spices, and our stories.”

At Hospitalitynews, we recognize Chef Surendra Rawat as a passionate custodian of North Indian culinary heritage. His presence at Veggie Fest Chicago stands as yet another milestone in his mission to bring the flavors of Uttarakhand to the world—one demonstration at a time.


Fine Dining Meets Stunning Views at Tokyo Skytree Town

Fine Dining Meets Stunning Views at Tokyo Skytree Town

By Hariharan U

Published on September 4, 2025

For travellers looking to pair world-class dining with iconic views, Tokyo Skytree Town offers the best of both worlds. Beyond its 360-degree panorama of the city, this landmark destination is home to restaurants and cafés that showcase the richness of Japanese flavours in unforgettable settings. Whether it’s a celebration, a family outing, or a quiet moment to savour tea, dining at Tokyo Skytree is truly a feast for all senses.

A Culinary Feast with a View

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Sky Restaurant 634 (Tokyo Skytree, Floor 345), Located 345 meters above the city, this fine-dining restaurant offers a signature “Tokyo Cuisine” experience that blends seasonal Japanese ingredients with breathtaking vistas. The newly introduced Grand Room—a private dining space for up to eight guests—makes it an ideal choice for special occasions.

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Sky Lounge TOP of TREE (Tokyo Solamachi, East Yard 31F), With clear-day views of Mt. Fuji and Tokyo Tower, this elegant lounge serves curated lunch and dinner course menus, perfect for a refined dining escape.

Kunimi (Tokyo Solamachi, East Yard 31F), Specialising in premium dishes like live Hokkaido crab and sukiyaki with a touch of theatre, Kunimi offers sweeping views stretching from Skytree to Mt. Fuji.

Kumamoto Akaushi Shabu Shabu Koubai (Tokyo Solamachi, 31F), Featuring melt-in-the-mouth Akaushi beef from Kumamoto’s Aso region, this shabu-shabu experience combines rich flavours with a dramatic Skytree backdrop.

Matenro (Tokyo Solamachi, East Yard 31F), A lively teppanyaki restaurant where chefs grill ingredients right before your eyes, enhanced by glittering night views for a memorable evening.

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Cafés with a Japanese Touch

Tokyo Solamachi®, part of the Skytree complex, also celebrates Japan’s café culture—offering cosy spots for quick breaks and indulgent treats:

THE MATCHA TOKYO (East Yard, 1F), A paradise for matcha lovers, serving 100% organic matcha beverages, sweets, and souvenirs.

Gion Tsujiri (East Yard, 6F): Known for the exclusive Tsujiri Tree Soft Serve, served with a Skytree-shaped spoon, this café offers a playful and photogenic treat.

Tanomi (East Yard, 1F), Famous for hearty soups with vegetable-packed flower-shaped rice balls, alongside desserts and drinks. The Tanomi Plate—a set with three small side dishes, is especially popular.

From gourmet dining to casual café stops, Tokyo Skytr

ee Town® is more than just a sightseeing attraction—it’s a complete experience where food, culture, and views come together in one iconic destination.


Ironhill Brewery Launches Its First Non-Alcoholic Beer, Zero Gravity AF

Ironhill Brewery Launches Its First Non-Alcoholic Beer, Zero Gravity AF

By Hariharan U

Published on September 4, 2025

 Ironhill Brewery, India’s largest microbrewery chain, has unveiled Zero Gravity AF, its first-ever non-alcoholic wheat beer. With this launch, Ironhill takes another bold step in its mission to craft inclusive brews that bring communities together.

Zero Gravity AF is designed to give beer lovers the same rich experience they expect, minus the alcohol. Brewed with precision by Ironhill’s master brewers, the golden wheat beer offers a smooth body with soft, bready undertones. Bright citrus and tropical fruit notes from Citra hops blend seamlessly with the clean bitterness of Magnum hops, resulting in a refreshing and aromatic drink that stays true to the essence of beer.

“Innovation at Ironhill has always been about listening to our community, experimenting with flavors, and creating brews that suit every mood and moment,” said Head Brewer at Ironhill. “Zero Gravity AF is crafted for those who love the beer experience but prefer to go alcohol-free, without compromising on taste.”

What makes Zero Gravity AF unique is its brewing process. While most commercial brewers make beer up to 5% and then dilute it with water to reduce the alcohol level, Ironhill has taken the natural route. Using a special yeast and carefully controlling fermentation, the beer is naturally stopped at 0.5%. The result is a full-bodied brew with the right aroma, texture, and flavour profile — unlike the diluted taste often found in other non-alcoholic beers.

The beer’s name, Zero Gravity AF, was chosen through an Instagram poll, making it a product of both brewing expertise and community spirit.

Perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a casual hangout, pairing with global cuisine, or simply enjoying a refreshing drink on a weekday Zero Gravity AF delivers a crisp, zesty, and sessionable experience.

With this launch, Ironhill Brewery continues to lead India’s craft beer scene, combining innovation, authenticity, and community engagement to create brews that leave a lasting impression.

About Ironhill Brewery

Ironhill Brewery is India’s largest microbrewery chain, known for its expansive spaces, vibrant ambience, and an eclectic mix of global cuisine and innovative beers. With outlets across major Indian cities, Ironhill has built a reputation for pushing brewing boundaries while staying rooted in storytelling, community connection, and culinary excellence.


‘The Malabar’ opens as Sterling’s new culinary landmark in Wayanad

‘The Malabar’ opens as Sterling’s new culinary landmark in Wayanad

By Hariharan U

Published on September 3, 2025

 Sterling Holiday Resorts has announced the opening of The Malabar, its new fine dining specialty restaurant at Sterling Wayanad, Sulthan Bathery. Designed as a destination dining concept, the restaurant highlights Kerala’s culinary heritage through heirloom dishes, cultural storytelling, and refined service rituals.

The launch was celebrated with a cultural showcase featuring floral arrangements, a puja ceremony, a Theyyam performance, a spice garden tour, and an evening of live Sufi music paired with a curated dinner reflecting the restaurant’s philosophy of food as theatre.

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The Malabar’s compact, story-driven menu offers signature dishes like Chemeen Biryani, Erachi Puttu, Malabar Mango Cloud Fish, and Koonthal Nirachathu, along with forgotten classics such as Chakka Pathiri Nirachathu. Vegetarian highlights include Koon Curry, Raw Jackfruit Cutlets, Mathanga Erissery, and Cheera Parippu Curry, each plate designed with authenticity and cultural resonance.

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Commenting on the launch, Mr. Dileep Nair, Head of Operations at Sterling, said, “The Malabar was built on the voice of our guests. Insights showed a clear demand for authentic Kerala heirloom cuisine in a ₹700+ crore fine-dining market with no regional leader. The Malabar answers with authentic recipes, theatrical service, and a fine-dining format that creates recall and loyalty”.

This marks Sterling’s second major concept-driven restaurant, following Amo Odisha in Puri (2024). The Malabar strengthens Sterling’s vision of transforming dining into a strategic asset across destinations by blending heirloom dishes, local rituals, and sensory immersion.

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