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”


Olivia Creamery Expands to Delhi NCR, Bringing Its Artisanal Ice Creams Beyond Kolkata

Olivia Creamery Expands to Delhi NCR, Bringing Its Artisanal Ice Creams Beyond Kolkata

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on June 6, 2026

Olivia Creamery, the Kolkata-based artisanal ice cream brand founded by Malika Chawla Batra and Srishti Chawla, has entered the Delhi NCR market, marking its first expansion beyond Kolkata. Known for its handcrafted small-batch ice creams, the brand is now serving customers across Delhi NCR through direct ordering and its website.

Since its launch in 2021, Olivia Creamery has built a strong presence in Kolkata’s premium dessert segment by focusing on quality ingredients, thoughtful craftsmanship and distinctive flavour profiles. The brand’s ice creams are prepared in limited batches using seasonal fruits, premium chocolate, fine cocoa, carefully sourced dairy products and natural ingredients.

Its menu features a mix of classic favourites and innovative creations inspired by travel experiences, personal memories and culinary influences. Alongside its signature offerings, the brand also provides sugar-free and vegan options, as well as luxury ice cream gifting hampers designed to meet evolving consumer preferences.

Over the years, Olivia Creamery has developed a loyal customer base in Kolkata by positioning itself within the premium artisanal category rather than the mass-market dessert segment. The brand’s #LoveAtFirstBite philosophy reflects its focus on creating memorable flavour experiences that leave a lasting impression from the very first spoonful.

Speaking about the expansion, Co-Founder and Head Chef Malika Chawla Batra said, “Olivia Creamery started with a simple intent: to create ice creams that people remember not just for taste, but for feeling. Many of our flavours come from lived experiences, whether something we tasted while travelling, a childhood favourite, or a moment tied to a place or memory. Kolkata gave us the space to build that language slowly and honestly.”

Co-Founder Srishti Chawla said the move into Delhi NCR represents a natural progression for the brand. “We’ve always believed that ice cream is not just a product, it’s an emotion-led category. Delhi NCR has a mature and evolving sweet treats culture, where consumers are actively seeking authenticity, craftsmanship, and brands with a point of view. We see strong alignment with that mindset,” she said.

The expansion comes at a time when India’s premium ice cream segment is witnessing growing demand for artisanal products, clean-label offerings and experience-driven indulgence. Olivia Creamery aims to cater to this evolving market with its emphasis on small-batch production, ingredient integrity and carefully curated flavours.

Founded in Kolkata in 2021, the brand is recognised for its artisanal ice creams, luxury gifting hampers and inclusive offerings such as vegan and sugar-free options. Customers across Delhi NCR can now access the brand’s products with delivery available in approximately four hours.


Jyran at Sofitel Mumbai BKC Unveils a Revitalised North-West Frontier Culinary Experience

Jyran at Sofitel Mumbai BKC Unveils a Revitalised North-West Frontier Culinary Experience

By Hariharan U

Published on June 5, 2026

Jyran, the signature Tandoor Dining & Lounge at Sofitel Mumbai BKC, has unveiled a refreshed culinary experience that celebrates the rich heritage of North-West Frontier cuisine while introducing modern elements of storytelling, presentation, and mixology.

Inspired by the tale of a young boy and his bond with an elephant, symbolising love, hope, and belonging, Jyran continues to build its identity around warmth, connection, and authentic frontier-inspired flavours. The latest menu enhancement offers guests greater flexibility through both set-menu and à la carte dining options while introducing thoughtfully curated small plates, signature mains, and inventive desserts.

Leading the culinary transformation is Master Chef Waris Qureshi, whose expertise draws from the royal culinary traditions of Awadhi, Peshawari, and Hyderabadi cuisines. Known for preserving heritage recipes while presenting them with contemporary flair, Chef Qureshi has crafted a menu that blends time-honoured techniques with refined modern execution.

The new menu showcases robust tandoor-led preparations that reflect the depth and character of frontier cuisine. Signature dishes include Namak Mandi Gosht Ki Chaap, featuring succulent lamb chops marinated in malt vinegar and aromatic spices, and Murgh Al Qureshi, a delicately flavoured chicken preparation enriched with saffron, cashews, and traditional Lucknowi influences.

Guests can also savour the Raan-E-Khushk Pardah, a slow-cooked leg of lamb encased in a delicate pastry crust, alongside the restaurant’s signature Dal-E-Qureshi, which is simmered for 48 hours to achieve its distinctive richness and depth of flavour.

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The dessert menu introduces contemporary interpretations of beloved classics. Highlights include the Gulab Jamun Kunafa Nest, which combines traditional Indian sweetness with Middle Eastern textures, and the indulgent Jyran Signature Kulfi Falooda, offering a refined take on a nostalgic favourite.

Complementing the culinary offerings is a reimagined cocktail programme featuring eight signature creations. Designed as chapters within an unfolding story, each cocktail is paired with a theatrical presentation that transforms the drinking experience into an immersive narrative. From colour-changing concoctions and fire-and-smoke reveals to interactive “Lost Letter” moments, the beverages are crafted to evoke themes of longing, memory, discovery, and reunion.

Together, the refreshed food and beverage programme transforms dining at Jyran into a multi-sensory journey that celebrates both culinary heritage and creative innovation. Through its combination of authentic flavours, storytelling elements, and experiential hospitality, Jyran continues to strengthen its position as one of Mumbai’s distinctive luxury dining destinations.

Located within Sofitel Mumbai BKC, the restaurant reflects the hotel’s broader philosophy of combining French sophistication with warm Indian hospitality, offering guests memorable experiences rooted in culture, craftsmanship, and contemporary luxury.

Restaurant Details:

Venue: Jyran, Sofitel Mumbai BKC
Lunch: 12:30 PM – 3:00 PM
Dinner: 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Dining Options: Set Menu and À la Carte Available
Reservations: +91 91673 91130


Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach Introduces Mediterranean Nights at The Square

Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach Introduces Mediterranean Nights at The Square

By Hariharan U

Published on June 4, 2026

Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach has introduced a new dining experience titled “Mediterranean Nights” at its signature restaurant, The Square, bringing together the vibrant culinary traditions of the Mediterranean coastline and Middle Eastern regions.

Designed as an immersive and elegant evening experience, Mediterranean Nights focuses on fresh ingredients, aromatic herbs, handcrafted mezze, and interactive live cooking stations that highlight the richness and diversity of Mediterranean cuisine.

The ambience at The Square has been thoughtfully curated to reflect coastal European charm, featuring soft lighting, Mediterranean-inspired décor elements, and soothing background music. The setting aims to create a relaxed yet premium atmosphere ideal for an elevated dining experience by the sea.

Guests can explore an elaborate buffet spread featuring a wide selection of mezze, artisan breads and dips, seafood preparations, roasted meats, and signature Mediterranean desserts. The live cooking stations further enhance the experience by offering freshly prepared dishes that bring an interactive and engaging dimension to the evening.

Mediterranean Nights is designed as a social dining experience suitable for gatherings with friends, family, and colleagues. The concept focuses on offering guests a flavourful escape that captures the essence of Mediterranean hospitality, known for its warmth, simplicity, and celebration of shared meals.

Through this initiative, Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach continues to expand its culinary programming, offering curated dining experiences that blend global flavours with immersive hospitality settings.

Event Details:

Venue: The Square, Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach, Balraj Sahni Road, Juhu, Mumbai – 400049
Days: Every Friday & Sunday
Time: 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM

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