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.


Quarter House by Daysie Opens in Bangalore, Bringing a Fresh Twist to Local Bar Culture

Quarter House by Daysie Opens in Bangalore, Bringing a Fresh Twist to Local Bar Culture

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on November 25, 2025

Daysie, the brand known for redefining casual dining and bar culture in Bangalore, has officially opened its latest concept, Quarter House by Daysie, in RR Nagar. The new venue brings a fresh take on the local bar scene, combining the approachable charm of classic Indian “quarter bars” with the reliability and finesse that Daysie is known for.

Quarter House is designed to evolve through the day, creating “experiences within experiences.” By afternoon, it serves as a relaxed, food-led space for families and casual gatherings. By evening, it transforms into a vibrant, high-energy neighborhood bar where friends can enjoy affordable drinks and flavorful plates.

“With Quarter House, we wanted to bring back the spirit of the local bar, honest, lively, and unpretentious but executed with the finesse and reliability people associate with Daysie,” said Anirudh Kheny and Neeti Gokhalay Kheny, Partners of Keen Mustard Ventures. “It is the kind of place you don’t need a reason to visit; it just becomes part of your week.”

The food at Quarter House celebrates bold, regional flavors that complement the bar experience. Small plates include Paneer 65, Kurkuri Bhindi, and Chicken Ghee Roast, while mains feature Chettinad Chicken Curry, Coorgi Mutton Fry, and soulful biryanis. The bar program focuses on neighborhood-priced pours of whiskeys, gins, and beers, alongside signature cocktails inspired by Indian cities, designed to be flavorful, familiar, and easy on the wallet.

“The food at Quarter House reflects India’s relationship with its local bars, bold, immediate, and deeply comforting. It’s a mix of nostalgia and freshness, designed to complement the pace and warmth of a true neighborhood bar,” shared Atul Sunder, Partner of Keen Mustard Ventures.

The interiors are intentionally unfussy, with relaxed seating and a welcoming ambiance that encourages conversation and good company. Whether decompressing after work, catching up with friends, or enjoying a casual evening out, Quarter House delivers the “local bar” feel with a modern Daysie twist.

Quarter House also marks the first step in Daysie’s zonal brand evolution, with the vision of creating multi-layered experiences under one roof. Future Daysie locations may feature sub-brands with distinct vibes, pricing, and target audiences, all unified by the brand’s commitment to quality, emotion, and hospitality.


Parisian Café Welcomes the Holidays with a Heartfelt Cake Mixing Ceremony 2025

Parisian Café Welcomes the Holidays with a Heartfelt Cake Mixing Ceremony 2025

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on November 25, 2025

Parisian Café welcomed the holidays with warmth and festive cheer at its Cake Mixing Ceremony 2025, held on Friday afternoon at the IREO Grand View, Sector 58 outlet. The atmosphere was filled with laughter, the aroma of winter spices, and a sense of togetherness that set the tone for the upcoming festive season.

More than a seasonal ritual, the event felt like a joyful reunion where guests, loyal patrons, and the Parisian Café team came together to prepare something truly special. With aprons on and sleeves rolled up, participants happily mixed premium nuts, dried fruits, and fragrant winter spices, creating a festive blend infused with both warmth and emotion. 

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The ceremony celebrated connection and community. Sharing his thoughts, Mr Namit Agrawal, Head of Operations, said, “Our Cake Mixing Ceremony is where memories are made. It’s a little bit of joy, a dash of nostalgia, and a whole lot of togetherness. We’re honoured to share this tradition with our community year after year.”

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With the festive mix now ready to mature, Parisian Café announced that its special Christmas cakes will be available starting 6th December across both Gurgaon locations: IREO Grand View, Sector 58, and DLF Galleria Road, Sector 28, Phase IV.

As the season of giving begins, Parisian Café invites everyone to be part of its story, a story baked with love, tradition, and the simple joy of sharing.


Hyatt Centric Janakpuri Begins Christmas Festivities with a Heartwarming Cake Mixing Soirée

Hyatt Centric Janakpuri Begins Christmas Festivities with a Heartwarming Cake Mixing Soirée

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on November 25, 2025

Hyatt Centric Janakpuri welcomed the Christmas season with a delightful Cake Mixing Soirée, bringing together guests, influencers, editors, and in-house patrons for an evening filled with warmth, togetherness, and festive joy. The celebration began with the classic Christmas toast, setting a cheerful tone for the night.

The traditional cake-mixing ritual was led by Pastry Chef Kamal Kishore, who guided attendees through a blend of rich fruits, nuts, and aromatic spices. The experience marked the start of the hotel’s festive preparations and celebrated a cherished tradition that adds meaning to the season.

Adding a heartfelt touch to the evening, General Manager Anirudh Sanjeev shared, "Seeing everyone come together for something as joyful as cake mixing really sets the tone for the season. It's a small tradition, but it brings a lot of happiness, and I am glad we could celebrate it with our guests and our team."

Chef Kamal added, "Cake mixing is more than a tradition; it's the start of a story. Watching our guests get hands-on with the ingredients that will soon become our festive cakes is always a special moment."

The soirée continued with a curated hi-tea spread featuring sweet and savoury delights such as Crumbled Corn & Asparagus Bouchées, French Madeleines, and Pistachio Biscotti, along with other handcrafted favourites that added to the charm of the evening.

The celebration ended beautifully with music, laughter, and heartfelt conversations filling the air. It was one of those evenings that felt warm, easy, and perfectly aligned with the Christmas spirit. With such a meaningful start, the countdown to Christmas has officially begun at Hyatt Centric Janakpuri, and it promises to be sweeter than ever.

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