Lapsi: A Sweet Memory from the Hills of Uttarakhand

Lapsi: A Sweet Memory from the Hills of Uttarakhand

By Author

Published on July 16, 2025

In the world of haute cuisine, where foam, fermentation, and flamboyance often steal the show, it’s rare to find a dish that whispers instead of shouts. Yet sometimes, it is in the whisper that we find our deepest truths. For Chef Himanshu Pandey, that whisper comes in the form of Lapsi—a humble, heartwarming dessert born in the hills of Uttarakhand.

Currently the Executive Chef at RAA NYC, Chef Himanshu has earned global recognition for redefining Indian cuisine with a modern lens while keeping its soul intact. His pre-plated Indian creations and commitment to storytelling through food have placed him among the most respected voices in the culinary industry today. But even as he crafts menus in one of the world’s most sophisticated dining capitals, his creative compass often points back to a quiet pahadi kitchen where it all began.

The Taste of Home, The Soul of the Mountains

“Lapsi is more than just a sweet dish—it’s a bowl of heritage and heart,” says Chef Himanshu.

In the crisp winter air of his childhood village, Lapsi was a dish that warmed both body and soul. Traditionally made with broken wheat (daliya), roasted in ghee, and sweetened with jaggery, it was a dish of celebration, comfort, and community. Spiced gently with cardamom and sometimes flecked with fennel seeds and dry fruits, Lapsi was often served during pujas, festivals, or as a special winter evening treat.

But for Chef Himanshu, it was more than just its flavor. It was a memory—a ritual—etched in scent and sound.

“I remember the firewood crackling, the scent of roasted wheat filling the room, and my mother’s calm, steady hands guiding the process. There were no recipe books, no measurements—just instinct, care, and ancestral wisdom.”

Cooking with Sabr (Patience) and Sanskar (Values)

“Beta, sabr se pakao, khana bhi tabhi ashirwad banega,” his mother would say—"Cook with patience, only then does food become a blessing."

It’s this philosophy that defines Chef Himanshu’s culinary style today. Whether he’s developing fine-dining menus in the U.S. or revisiting forgotten Indian recipes, his food is rooted in feeling, culture, and emotion. His version of Lapsi may now be plated with artistic flair, served in New York’s contemporary dining spaces, but the spirit remains untouched—an ode to his roots.

Even the act of preparing Lapsi has become, for him, a sacred moment of reconnection—with self, with home, and with the women who shaped his life. It’s a dessert that transcends time and geography, carrying with it stories of resilience, love, and inherited grace.

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Uttarakhandi Lapsi: The Recipe, The Ritual

Category: Dessert / Sweet Dish
Cuisine: Uttarakhandi Vegetarian
Portion Size: 150g
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

  • ½ cup Whole Wheat Flour (Gehu ka Atta) – the base of the dish
  • 2 tbsp Ghee – for roasting
  • 2 cups Water – to dissolve jaggery
  • ¼ cup Jaggery (grated/powdered) – adjust to taste
  • ½ tsp Crushed Fennel Seeds – optional, for a traditional note
  • ¼ tsp Cardamom Powder – for aroma and warmth
  • 1 tbsp Chopped Dry Fruits (almonds, cashews) – optional garnish

Preparation:

  1. Roast the Flour:
    Heat ghee in a heavy-bottomed pan. Add flour and roast slowly on a low flame until it turns golden and fragrant.
  2. Make Jaggery Water:
    In a separate pot, dissolve jaggery in water. Bring to a gentle boil and strain if needed.
  3. Combine:
    Slowly add the jaggery water to the roasted flour, stirring continuously to avoid lumps.
  4. Simmer:
    Cook on low heat until the mixture thickens and leaves the sides of the pan. Add fennel and cardamom.
  5. Garnish:
    Stir in the dry fruits and a little extra ghee for richness.
  6. Serve:
    Warm in small steel katoris—the way tradition intended.

A Culinary Memoir in the Making

Chef Himanshu’s journey—from village kitchens in Uttarakhand to award-winning culinary innovation in New York—is one of dedication, humility, and rooted reinvention. He’s currently working on his debut culinary memoir and recipe book, where stories like Lapsi will find a permanent home. Set to blend childhood tales, modern techniques, and heirloom recipes, the book promises to be a soul-stirring journey through flavors, memories, and milestones.

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A Message to the Culinary World

In Chef Himanshu’s world, food is not just plated—it is passed down, preserved, and presented with purpose. Dishes like Lapsi remind us that the most powerful flavors are the ones that carry stories within them. 

“Bridging borders with bold flavors-One heritage plate at a time”


Rosetta Hospitality Welcomes the Festive Season with Cake Mixing Ceremonies

Rosetta Hospitality Welcomes the Festive Season with Cake Mixing Ceremonies

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on December 9, 2025

Rosetta Hospitality has officially opened its festive season with its annual cake mixing ceremonies at Rosetta Sakleshpur in Karnataka and Elements by Rosetta in Varca, Goa. The celebrations mark the start of Estella 2025, the group’s signature year-end festive program, bringing guests, patrons, influencers and team members together to celebrate heritage, community and the warm spirit of Christmas.

At Rosetta Sakleshpur, the gathering brought together resident guests, VIPs, influencers and associates for a cheerful afternoon filled with festive charm. A hot-chocolate trolley added winter comfort while a live choir sang classic Christmas carols, creating a heartwarming atmosphere. Families, couples and team members joined around the grand mixing table to prepare a rich fruit blend of black currants, golden raisins, figs, cherries, cranberries, assorted nuts, orange peel, tutti frutti and warm spices. The mix was soaked in red wine, brandy and rum, setting the tone for the festive season at the resort.

A week earlier, Elements by Rosetta in Varca, Goa hosted its cake mixing ceremony on the resort lawns. Resident guests, non-resident patrons and team members participated in a lively afternoon by the poolside. Music, festive cheer and the coastal ambience shaped the celebration as participants mixed a generous blend of golden and black raisins, apricots, cranberries, prunes, figs, candied peels and assorted nuts with aged rum, brandy, white spirits, liqueurs and wine. A regional touch of Goan cashews added a coastal flavour to the traditional preparation.

Reflecting on this treasured tradition, Joint Managing Director & CEO, Mr. Jai Sreedhar said, “The cake mixing ceremony is one of our most cherished Christmas traditions at Rosetta Hospitality. It brings our guests, patrons, and teams together in a heartfelt way and sets the tone for the warmth and connection that define the festive season across our properties.”

Across both destinations, the ceremonies highlighted the importance of community celebrations within hospitality. With the fruit now resting in its aromatic blend, Rosetta Hospitality has set the stage for Christmas and New Year experiences under Estella 2025 at its Sakleshpur and South Goa properties.


BELAGIO Brings Italian Couture Desserts to Bengaluru

BELAGIO Brings Italian Couture Desserts to Bengaluru

By Hariharan U

Published on December 9, 2025

Bengaluru has welcomed BELAGIO, the city’s newest luxury patisserie offering Italian couture-style desserts. Bringing a fresh touch of elegance to the dessert scene, BELAGIO is the creation of sisters Sushma and Shravya Reddy, who combine their strengths in hospitality, branding, and design to craft desserts that look as stunning as they taste.

BELAGIO’s signature entremets are crafted using traditional Italian techniques, layers of soft sponge, silky mousses, rich creams, and smooth ganaches, all perfected with flawless mirror glazes. The brand uses premium global ingredients, from Belgian chocolate to fine seasonal fruits, ensuring a balanced blend of flavours and textures. Each dessert is presented in bespoke packaging, making every order feel like an exclusive luxury gift.

Speaking about the launch, Sushma Reddy said, “Our goal is to make every celebration unforgettable. Every piece is created with care, designed to delight both the eyes and the palate.” Shravya added, “BELAGIO is more than desserts, it’s about creating beautiful moments that stay with you.”

The menu showcases a couture-style collection, featuring indulgent chocolate creations, bright berry profiles, light fruit-forward options, and fusion flavours. BELAGIO also caters to dietary preferences, offering sugar-free and high-protein choices without compromising on taste or elegance.

From browsing the gallery-style menu to unboxing a dessert in its signature packaging, BELAGIO ensures a refined, seamless experience for its guests. Perfect for intimate gatherings and milestone celebrations, the patisserie sets a new benchmark for premium desserts in the city.

Launching first as Bengaluru’s luxury online patisserie, BELAGIO has plans to expand across India through cloud delivery. The founders also envision exclusive cafés in Bengaluru followed by flagship outlets in key metro cities, with the aim of positioning BELAGIO as a leading destination for haute patisserie and bespoke celebrations.


BeeYoung Tropic: India’s First Crafted Tropical Pilsner Makes a Refreshing Debut

BeeYoung Tropic: India’s First Crafted Tropical Pilsner Makes a Refreshing Debut

By Hariharan U

Published on December 8, 2025

Kimaya Himalayan Beverages has launched a refreshing new addition to its popular BeeYoung craft beer lineup, BeeYoung Tropic, India’s first crafted Tropical Pilsner. The new variant made its debut at Doon Music Festival Season 4, setting a lively and youthful tone that matches the brand’s spirit.

BeeYoung, known across India for its crisp taste and energetic vibe, created this new brew at its microbrewery in New Delhi’s BeeYoung Brewgarden. What began as an experimental favourite among visitors soon turned into a standout creation worth taking nationwide.

BeeYoung Tropic is crafted to bring a bright, feel-good experience with every sip. The flavour profile highlights gentle notes of mango and passion fruit, layered over a light-bodied, crisp pilsner base with a smooth malty finish. Designed to pair comfortably with all cuisines and seasons, it’s the kind of beer meant for unwinding, celebrating and connecting with friends.

After extensive trials, the team perfected its canning process to ensure the same fresh, clean and fruity profile reaches consumers everywhere.

Expressing his excitement, Abhinav Jindal, CEO and Founder of Kimaya Himalayan Beverages, said, “With the launch of BeeYoung Tropic Pilsner, we aim to capture the feeling of pure joy and togetherness that arises from great craft beer. Launching it here in Dehradun, the city where BeeYoung was born, surrounded by music and mountains, feels like the perfect homecoming for this tropical journey.”

BeeYoung Tropic now joins the brand’s flagship craft brews, continuing the brand’s strong connection with India’s young and fearless beer community.

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