As the auspicious festival of Ugadi approaches, it’s time to prepare the cherished Ugadi Pachadi, a dish that embodies the essence of life through its six distinct flavors. Chef Leo, Sous Chef at The South Place, shares the authentic recipe of this traditional delicacy, which is an integral part of Ugadi celebrations.

Ugadi Pachadi is not just food; it is a cultural symbol that reminds us to embrace life’s different emotions—happiness, sadness, anger, surprise, bitterness, and fear—just as we relish its six unique tastes.

Ingredients:

• 300g tamarind
  

• 500ml water
  

• 1 cup chopped jaggery
  

• 2 cups water
  

• 1 cup finely chopped raw mango
  

• Neem flowers (as required)
  

• ¼ teaspoon black pepper powder (or red chili powder as an alternative)
  

• ¼ teaspoon salt (adjust as needed)
  

Method of Preparation:

1. Prepare the Tamarind Pulp: Soak tamarind in 500ml water for 40 minutes to 1 hour. Squeeze and extract the pulp into a bowl.
   

2. Dilute the Pulp: Add 2 cups of water to the tamarind pulp and mix well.
   

3. Dissolve the Jaggery: Stir in the chopped jaggery until it completely dissolves.
   

4. Add Fruits & Extras: Mix in the finely chopped raw mango. You may also add optional ingredients like bananas, roasted chana dal, dry fruits, or grated coconut.
   

5. Enhance the Flavor: Sprinkle neem flowers, black pepper powder (or red chili powder), and salt. Stir well to combine.
   

6. Offer & Serve: Traditionally, Ugadi Pachadi is first offered as naivedyam to deities before serving to family members.

Why is Ugadi Pachadi Special?

Ugadi Pachadi is a symbolic dish that reflects the different aspects of life through its six primary flavors:

• Sweet (Jaggery) – Represents happiness
  

• Sour (Tamarind) – Symbolizes challenges
  

• Bitter (Neem Flowers) – Reminds us of life's difficulties
  

• Spicy (Pepper/Chili Powder) – Denotes anger and courage
  

• Salty (Salt) – Stands for interest and taste in life
  

• Tangy (Raw Mango) – Brings surprises and excitement
  

Each ingredient plays a role in reminding us to accept life in all its forms, making Ugadi Pachadi an essential part of the celebrations.

Celebrate Ugadi with Authentic Flavors

The beauty of Ugadi Pachadi lies in its simplicity and deep-rooted significance. As you welcome the New Year with hope and joy, let this dish serve as a reminder of life’s beautiful journey.

Ugadi Subhakanchalu! 

This spring, Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa is set to host an extraordinary culinary experience with the arrival of renowned Hong Kong chef Grace Choy. From April 1 to 15, 2025, guests will have the rare opportunity to indulge in artfully crafted Cantonese cuisine, presented under the glow of torchlight at Pool Island.

A Taste of Cantonese Excellence

Chef Grace Choy, celebrated for her innovative storytelling through food, has redefined Cantonese flavors at her Tokyo-based ChoyChoy Private Kitchen. Named one of CNN’s “Hong Kong's 10 Best Private Kitchens,” her intimate dining approach transforms humble ingredients into flavor-packed masterpieces.

At Kuda Huraa, she will craft a specially curated menu featuring:

• Hong Kong-style char siu – expertly caramelized for a perfect balance of sweet and savory
•  Double-boiled dried cabbage and fig soup – a traditional dish packed with depth and nourishment
•  Fresh-caught Maldivian seafood – elevated with Cantonese culinary techniques
•  Delicate handcrafted desserts – paired with a rare 1998 Ripe Pu'er Lao Cha Tou (old tea)

A One-of-a-Kind Experience

Guests can immerse themselves in Chef Grace’s culinary philosophy beyond the dining table. Intimate cookery classes offer insights into her techniques, while a Maldivian fishing excursion using traditional handline methods allows guests to cook their own catch under her guidance. Both experiences are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

A Chef’s Inspiration Under the Stars

Reflecting on her upcoming residency, Chef Grace Choy shares:

“The kitchen is where I can completely focus my body and mind. Wherever you can focus your body and mind, it is heaven, and time stands still. I can’t wait to explore that sense of presence under the starlit Maldivian skies, with access to the freshest seafood and an inspiring location.”

Reserve Your Seat

With only eight tables available per night, this is an exclusive dining affair not to be missed. To secure a seat, email: reservations.mal@fourseasons.com or call: (960) 66 00 888.

Pizza Wings, the Haryana-based quick-service restaurant (QSR) brand, has secured $2.8 million in a follow-up funding round from marquee investors, including Gruhas—the investment arm of Nikhil Kamath and Abhijeet Pai, Udaan co-founder Sujeet Kumar, and other strategic backers. This comes after its $4 million seed investment in 2024, reaffirming investor confidence in the brand’s growth potential.

Fueling National Growth

With this latest funding, Pizza Wings is set to expand its footprint across Northern and North-Eastern India, with a strong focus on Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. The brand plans to add 50 new stores, taking its total count to 100 outlets by the end of 2025. Unlike global QSR giants that focus primarily on metros, Pizza Wings is tapping into emerging urban markets, catering to India’s growing demand for premium fast food.

A Vision Rooted in Quality and Innovation

Founded in 2014 by Aditya Dhanda, with Rajpal Sangwan and Vikas Nain as co-founders, Pizza Wings has carved a niche with its “Fresh Dough, Fresh Ingredient” philosophy. The brand prides itself on using daily-prepared dough, zero preservatives, and customizable pizzas tailored to Indian tastes.

“Our commitment to fresh ingredients, great flavors, and a technology-first approach has resonated with customers,” said Aditya Dhanda, CEO of Pizza Wings. “This funding will help us expand while staying true to our core values, ultimately making Pizza Wings a leading food-tech brand in India.”

Tech-Driven Growth Strategy

Pizza Wings isn’t just a QSR brand—it’s a rising food-tech leader. With 80% of deliveries managed through its proprietary platform, the company reduces dependency on third-party aggregators, ensuring better efficiency and customer experience. Its rider and store management applications streamline operations, resulting in over 500,000 app downloads and market leadership in multiple cities.

Investor Confidence in Pizza Wings

Sujeet Kumar, Co-founder of Udaan, highlighted Pizza Wings’ strong unit economics and tech-driven approach, stating:

“With 80% of deliveries managed in-house, Pizza Wings is more than just a food brand—it’s a fast-emerging food-tech leader.”

Abhijeet Pai, Partner at Gruhas, added:

“With this funding, Pizza Wings is set to become a dominant force in India’s fast-food industry. Their expansion to 100 outlets by 2025 and plans to scale to 400 stores by 2027 reflect a well-structured growth strategy. We’re excited to support their journey.”

The Road Ahead

As Pizza Wings continues to expand, the company is also strengthening its corporate team across finance, logistics, and marketing. With long-term plans for an IPO, the brand is not just growing in numbers—it’s building an industry legacy.

With its commitment to quality, tech-driven efficiency, and bold expansion plans, Pizza Wings is poised to become a dominant player in India’s evolving food-tech ecosystem.