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.


Last Saturday Launches Inspired Dining Experience in Hyderabad

Last Saturday Launches Inspired Dining Experience in Hyderabad

By Hariharan U

Published on September 25, 2025

Last Saturday has officially opened in Jubilee Hills, bringing a unique mix of global flavors, creative cocktails, and immersive cultural experiences to the city. Conceptualized by Teja Chekuri under Full Stack Ventures, the restaurant transforms every visit into a weekend-like celebration, making each meal memorable and engaging.

At the heart of Last Saturday is Inspired Cuisine, a menu created from memories rather than recipes. Drawing inspiration from Japan, Vietnam, Indonesia, Korea, Singapore, and beyond, each dish blends international flavors with Indian sensibilities. From Haleem Buns with Hyderabadi Marag to reimagined continental and Middle Eastern dishes, every plate tells a story of travel, experimentation, and culinary creativity.

The dining experience extends beyond food. Saturday Chapters, a bi-monthly cocktail program, introduces clarified, precision-crafted drinks using the sous-vide method, a first in India’s luxury cocktail scene. Seasonal flavors and innovative techniques ensure each chapter offers a fresh narrative. Signature cocktails like Spotlight are crafted to delight the senses and elevate the dining journey.

Sounds of Saturday, the restaurant’s signature soundscape, complements the experience by blending contemporary global music with subtle familiar tones, encouraging conversation and creating a lively, yet comfortable atmosphere.

The name “Last Saturday” reflects a philosophy of presence, bringing the energy and joy of a Saturday into every day. Whether it’s a casual dinner with friends or an impromptu celebration, the space promises immersive experiences, memorable flavors, and engaging ambience.

Location: Last Saturday, 1200, Road Number 59, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad
Must-Try Cocktail: Spotlight  
Know More: https://lastsaturday.in


New in Delhi: The Table by Peepal Opens at Siri Fort

New in Delhi: The Table by Peepal Opens at Siri Fort

By Hariharan U

Published on September 25, 2025

South Delhi has a new hotspot for food lovers: The Table by Peepal, now open at the Siri Fort Driving Range. Designed as a space where leisure meets dining, it’s perfect for a family meal, post-golf refreshment, or coffee with friends.

The menu strikes a balance between comfort and creativity, offering dishes like Coriander Chimichurri Cottage Cheese Sando, Bang Bang Chicken Wings, ABC Siu Mai Dimsums, Sapporo Ramen, Truffle Mushroom Risotto, Krapow Stone Bowls, Silbatta Palak Paneer, Lucknowi Nihari, Jackfruit Biryani, and the indulgent Live Tiramisu. Drinks include Apple Carrot Beetroot Ginger Juice, Sparkling Orange Iced Coffee, along with shakes and mocktails.

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Step inside, and the interiors create a calm, minimal ambiance inspired by Japanese Wabi-Sabi philosophy. Warm textures, muted tones, and natural finishes make the space welcoming for a quick bite or a relaxed, lingering dinner.

Details:

Location: Siri Fort Driving Range, Delhi

Timings: 7 AM – 12 AM

Contact: 7807188804


7 Raw Honey Varieties in India That Blend Taste and Healing

7 Raw Honey Varieties in India That Blend Taste and Healing

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on September 24, 2025

Honey has always been celebrated as a natural superfood, loved for its taste, purity, and health benefits. Among all its forms, raw honey stands out for being unprocessed, keeping all its natural enzymes, antioxidants, and nutrients intact. It supports immunity, aids digestion, and promotes overall wellness while offering rich, natural flavor.

In India, several brands are redefining honey consumption with authentic, sustainably sourced, and additive-free raw honey. These brands combine traditional beekeeping with modern quality standards, bringing nature straight to your table.

Here’s a look at seven raw honey brands in India that offer exceptional taste and natural healing benefits:

  1. Bharat Vedica – Bringing Ayurveda to modern kitchens, their honey is unprocessed and sourced from select floral regions. It boosts immunity, aids digestion, and works as a natural remedy for coughs and sore throats, while its smooth texture and mild sweetness enhance teas, warm water, and herbal drinks.

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  2. Indigenous Honey – Celebrating India’s native flora, this honey is ethically harvested across forests and farmlands. Rich in pollen, enzymes, and antioxidants, it supports immunity, soothes the throat, and improves gut health, offering a true “from-the-hive” taste.

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  3. Nature’s Nectar – Known for its sustainability and purity, this honey is free from additives and artificial flavors. Its light floral aroma and gentle sweetness make it versatile for drizzling over fruits, cereals, or baked goods, while its antioxidants and antibacterial properties boost immunity and aid digestion.

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  4. Two Brothers Organic Farms Honey – Sourced from wild forest areas, this honey is dark, rich, and packed with natural minerals and enzymes. Its bold, earthy flavor supports metabolism, fights free radicals, and offers antibacterial benefits, making it a favorite among health enthusiasts.

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  5. Farm Naturelle Honey – Offering farm-fresh, pure honey in variants like wild forest, multiflora, and infused blends, Farm Naturelle preserves raw purity with no filtration or pasteurization. It strengthens immunity, supports digestion, and helps with weight management while delivering rich, diverse flavors.

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  6. Hitkary Honey – With minimal processing, this honey retains essential enzymes, vitamins, and minerals. Its smooth texture and mild sweetness suit both children and adults, while therapeutic benefits include relieving coughs and colds, reducing fatigue, and providing natural energy.

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  7. The Honey Company – Focusing on ethical beekeeping, this brand offers wild forest, jamun, mustard, and other varieties. Each type has unique benefits, jamun honey supports blood sugar levels, mustard honey aids respiratory health, and all are rich in antioxidants and antibacterial compounds, offering both taste and wellness in every jar.

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    With these seven brands, raw honey in India is not just about flavor, it’s a wholesome experience blending taste, tradition, and natural healing.

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