Experience a Culinary Extravaganza: Novotel Vizag's Bao Food Festival Takes Center Stage

By Author

Published on February 3, 2024

Date: February 1st to 10th, 2024

Venue: Red Bowl - The Pan Asian Kitchen

Get ready for a delectable adventure as Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach presents the city's first-ever Bao Food Festival at Red Bowl - The Pan Asian Kitchen, from February 1st to 10th, 2024. This culinary fiesta, masterfully curated by Chef Vikram, pays homage to the globally celebrated Chinese steamed bun, promising a unique and unforgettable dining experience.

Embark on a gastronomic journey featuring an array of mouthwatering bao tacos, each carefully crafted to surpass the last in deliciousness. The festival menu boasts a diverse selection of flavors, including exotic mushrooms, tofu, vegetable tempura, Schezwan cottage cheese, ginger scallion pokchoy, bell pepper, Cantonese vegetables, Sriracha mayo prawns, ginger chicken, char siew pork, Hosi Chilli duck, Schwejwan chicken, and five-spice prawn bao and tacos.

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Chef Vikram, renowned for his mastery of Asian cuisine, dedicated months to perfecting the Bao Food Festival recipes. The freshest and highest-quality ingredients were sourced to ensure each bao bursts with flavor. His passion for Asian cuisine is palpable in every dish, showcasing meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to culinary excellence.

Lakshmi Sridhar, General Manager of Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach, expressed excitement about hosting this groundbreaking festival at Red Bowl - The Pan Asian Kitchen. She stated, “Chef Vikram has created a truly exceptional menu, and we are confident that our guests will love every bite. This is an opportunity for food lovers to indulge in a unique culinary experience that they won't find anywhere else in Vizag.”

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For those seeking a distinctive culinary adventure, make your way to Red Bowl - The Pan Asian Kitchen. Immerse yourself in the enticing flavors of the Bao Food Festival, where each bite tells a story of culinary expertise and passion. Mark your calendars from February 1st to 10th, 2024, and elevate your dining experience with the city's first Bao Food Festival.


Baskin Robbins India and The Smurfs Team Up for a Scoop of Fun

Baskin Robbins India and The Smurfs Team Up for a Scoop of Fun

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on July 20, 2025

Baskin Robbins India is adding a playful twist to your ice cream outings by teaming up with the much-loved Smurfs movie franchise. This cheerful collaboration brings together the joy of scoops and the charm of everyone’s favourite blue characters—creating a fun and flavourful adventure for kids and families across the country.

Inspired by the adventurous world of The Smurfs, Baskin Robbins has introduced a lively new flavour called Splish Splash. This vibrant blue scoop captures the energy and mischief of the Smurfs, blending colour and taste into one joyful bite.

But the excitement doesn’t stop at the counter. Speaking about the partnership, Aleesha Desai, General Manager (Marketing) – Baskin Robbins India, shared,

“At Baskin Robbins, our mission is to spread smiles over a scoop of happiness. Collaborating with the beloved Smurfs helps us do that in a playful way.”

The celebration extends beyond flavours, Baskin Robbins is lighting up its parlours with Smurfs-themed in-store activations, engaging games, and social media contests. The brand has even gone full blue on its Instagram feed, making fans a part of the blue wave.

To bring the magic closer to fans, special product activations will take place at movie screenings, with influencers and content creators joining in for Smurfs-themed celebrations. Lucky fans will also get the chance to win limited-edition Smurfs goodies, turning every visit into a memorable moment.

With this colourful collaboration, Baskin Robbins once again proves that it’s more than just an ice cream brand, it’s a creator of joyful memories. While the love for ice cream spans all ages, this Smurfs-inspired tie-up is sure to leave kids smiling from ear to ear and parents reaching for another scoop.


Indonesian Culinary Magic Lands in Andhra Pradesh with Novotel’s Southeast Asian Food Festival

Indonesian Culinary Magic Lands in Andhra Pradesh with Novotel’s Southeast Asian Food Festival

By Nishang Narayan

Published on July 19, 2025

This monsoon, Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach and Novotel Vijayawada Varun are spicing things up with a vibrant Indonesian food festival, helmed by celebrated guest chef Faisal Martadinata. Flying in from Indonesia, Chef Faisal is set to serve up bold and authentic Southeast Asian flavours that promise a sensory culinary journey.

Hosted at Red Bowl, the signature Pan-Asian restaurant at both Novotel properties, the festival runs from 18th to 27th July in Visakhapatnam, and from 28th July to 4th August in Vijayawada. Diners can enjoy lunch and dinner from an à la carte menu specially curated by the chef.

Chef Faisal Martadinata, who brings a deep passion for traditional Indonesian cuisine, has honed his craft in top kitchens across Bali and Jakarta. Known for modern takes on heritage recipes, his menu features crowd-favourites like Beef Rendang, Soto Ayam, Nasi Goreng, and the much-loved dessert Dadar Gulung—each dish offering a taste of Indonesia’s soulful culinary identity.

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Lakshmi Sridhar, General Manager at Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach, says,

“At Novotel, our restaurants are cultural spaces where flavours from across the world come alive. With Chef Faisal’s exclusive residency, we offer our guests a rare opportunity to experience authentic Indonesian cuisine, freshly prepared by a master chef who brings the true essence of his homeland to the plate.”

Manish Pathak, Hotel Manager at Novotel Vijayawada Varun, echoes this sentiment, adding,

“This festival is about more than food—it’s a cultural experience. Chef Faisal’s specially crafted menu mirrors our vision of thoughtful, experience-led dining and promises an exciting journey through Indonesia’s most loved dishes.”

With a global approach to hospitality and a deep love for culinary storytelling, Novotel continues to delight food lovers by bringing the world to the table—one dish at a time.


Mumbai’s Must-Try Ice Cream Spots to Celebrate World Ice Cream Day

Mumbai’s Must-Try Ice Cream Spots to Celebrate World Ice Cream Day

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on July 19, 2025

There’s something magical about ice cream, whether it’s a shared sundae on a hot day or a quick cone at your favourite neighbourhood parlour. This World Ice Cream Day, Mumbai’s cafes and dessert bars are going all out to serve up frozen treats that are anything but ordinary. Here’s a curated list of sweet spots where every scoop is worth the indulgence.

The BlueBop Cafe – Gelato Menu

The BlueBop Cafe sets the tone with a gelato menu that’s smooth, flavourful, and perfect for the season. Their French Vanilla Gelato is a timeless scoop made with premium vanilla beans, while Hazelnut Praline combines creamy richness with bursts of nutty crunch. Chocolate lovers will find bliss in the Belgian Chocolate Gelato, and those looking for a healthier option can dig into the Sugar-Free Vegan Chocolate Gelato, made with soya milk, raw cocoa, and dark chocolate. But the real game-changer? Nutella Sea Salt Gelato, a bold blend of creamy Nutella and a touch of sea salt. With each bite, The BlueBop Cafe promises a celebration of flavours for this special day.

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Red Box – Ice Cream Lineup

Red Box brings its signature flair to World Ice Cream Day with a lineup that’s bold, playful, and full of surprises. Their Tahitian Vanilla is all about smooth, classic comfort, while the Premium Range adds fruity fun with Wimbledon Strawberry and the tropical goodness of Real Guava. The Luxe Range turns up the indulgence with Alphonso Mango, Sea Salt Caramel Fudge, and Crispy Coffee. Chocolate fans can rejoice with Madagascar Chocolate and Chocolate To Die For, while the Sugar-Free Belgian Chocolate proves that guilt-free can still be luxurious. Don’t miss pairing your scoop with their Waffle Brownie—warm, fudgy, and the perfect companion to every cold bite.

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Whether you're team chocolate, fruit-forward, or vegan-friendly, Mumbai is scooping up joy in every flavour this World Ice Cream Day.

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