Oktober Fest, Munich's Iconic Beer Festival

Oktober Fest, Munich's Iconic Beer Festival

By Author

Published on September 17, 2023

Oktoberfest is a world-famous beer festival and traveling carnival held annually in Munich, Bavaria, Germany. It is the world's largest Volksfest (folk festival), running from mid- or late-September to around the first Sunday in October, with more than six million international and national visitors attending the event.

Oktoberfest originated on October 12, 1810, in celebration of the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria (who later became King Ludwig I) to Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen. The festival concluded five days later with a horse race held in an open area that came to be called Theresienwiese. The following year the race was combined with a state agricultural fair, and in 1818 booths serving food and drink were introduced.

Today, Oktoberfest has evolved into a massive and internationally recognized event. Oktoberfest is a two-week celebration of Bavarian culture, featuring beer, food, music, and dancing. There are 14 large beer tents, each run by a different Bavarian brewery, as well as numerous smaller tents and booths serving food and drinks. 

Key features of Oktoberfest include:

Beer Tents: The festival is famous for its large beer tents, each run by different Munich breweries. These tents serve a variety of traditional German beers, with the most popular being Märzenbier, a strong, amber lager. Märzenbier is the traditional beer served at Oktoberfest. It is a strong lager that is brewed specifically for the festival.

Traditional Food: Alongside beer, Oktoberfest offers a wide range of traditional Bavarian foods such as sausages, pretzels, roast chicken, pork knuckles, and sauerkraut. Bratwurst, pretzels, and sauerkraut are some of the most popular food items at Oktoberfest. Other popular dishes include roasted chicken, pork knuckles, and dumplings.

Live Music: The beer tents feature live music, including traditional German bands and modern music acts. It's common for attendees to dance on the benches and tables to the music.

Carnival Rides and Games: In addition to food and beer, Oktoberfest grounds include an amusement park with various rides and games, making it a family-friendly event.

Traditional Clothing: Many visitors and even some of the locals dress in traditional Bavarian attire, such as lederhosen (leather shorts) for men and dirndls (traditional dresses) for women.

Parades: There are often parades, including the grand opening procession and traditional costume parades.

Cultural Events: Oktoberfest showcases Bavarian culture with events like dance performances, craft exhibitions, and more.

Massive Crowds: Millions of people from around the world attend Oktoberfest each year, making it a truly international celebration.

It's important to note that while the Oktoberfest in Munich is the most famous and largest, similar Oktoberfest celebrations are held in many cities worldwide, often with a focus on German beer, food, and cultural traditions.


Carvel - The Brand That Invented Soft Serve, Just Opened at DLF Promenade

Carvel - The Brand That Invented Soft Serve, Just Opened at DLF Promenade

By Hariharan U

Published on March 7, 2026

If you've ever had soft serve ice cream and let's be honest, who hasn't , you have Carvel to thank for it. The American brand that literally invented soft serve is now in Delhi, and it just got a lot more accessible with a brand new outlet at DLF Promenade.

This is Carvel's third location in the capital, joining its existing stores at Connaught Place and Elan Miracle Mall in Gurugram. The new spot spans 200 sq. ft. and sits right inside one of Delhi's busiest and most loved shopping destinations, making it a natural pitstop for anyone in the mood for something indulgent.

90 Years of Soft Serve, Now in India

Founded in 1934 by Tom Carvel in New York, the brand has spent over nine decades perfecting the art of soft serve. It's the kind of ice cream that's rich, thick, and unapologetically indulgent — no watered-down versions here. Carvel entered India in August 2025 in partnership with Unify Foodworks, a food and beverage franchising company focused on bringing global brands to India in a way that actually makes sense for the local market.

Global Favourites Meet Indian Flavours

What makes Carvel's India menu interesting is that it doesn't just transplant its global offerings, it builds on them. You'll find the classics like Flying Saucers®, Shakes, Carvelanches®, and Dashers® alongside India-first creations that have been thoughtfully put together. Think Banoffee Pie Dasher, Indian Filter Coffee Dasher, Caramel Bliss Carvelanche, Matcha Dip Soft Serve, and a Strawberry Cheesecake Sundae, flavours that feel familiar and exciting at the same time.

Steven Yang, Senior Vice President, APAC at GoTo Foods, said, "Seeing the response to Carvel in India has been incredibly encouraging. With the opening at DLF Promenade, we are deepening our presence in one of Delhi's most vibrant retail destinations and bringing our signature soft serve experience closer to consumers who are looking for indulgent yet familiar dessert moments."

Sumer Sethi, Founder of Unify Foodworks, added, "Our expansion into DLF Promenade marks an important step in Carvel's India journey. Delhi has embraced the brand's mix of nostalgia and innovation, and this new location allows us to engage with a wider, experience-driven audience while continuing to introduce flavours that feel both global and distinctly local."

The Bigger Picture - 100 Stores and Counting

The DLF Promenade launch isn't just another store opening,  it's part of a much larger plan. Carvel is eyeing 100 stores across India over the next few years, steadily building its presence city by city. For a brand with 390 locations across 16 countries, India clearly represents a serious growth opportunity  and the early response from Delhi consumers seems to be backing that confidence up.

If you're around DLF Promenade and haven't tried Carvel yet, now's a pretty good time to fix that.


Keen Mustard Ventures Unveils ‘Golden Embrace’ Dessert for a Cause This Women’s Day

Keen Mustard Ventures Unveils ‘Golden Embrace’ Dessert for a Cause This Women’s Day

By Hariharan U

Published on March 5, 2026

This Women’s Day, Keen Mustard Ventures is blending indulgence with impact. The Bengaluru-based hospitality collective has introduced ‘Golden Embrace – Hazelnut Toffee Pudding,’ a limited-edition dessert available exclusively on March 8 across its brands Daysie, Serious Slice and Quarter House.

More than just a celebratory sweet, the initiative carries a deeper purpose. A percentage of proceeds from every portion sold will be donated to Shri Balabyraweshwara Educational & Charitable Trust, a Bengaluru-based organisation focused on strengthening educational access and infrastructure in rural Karnataka.

Golden Embrace is designed as a layered, flavour-forward creation. The dessert features a warm hazelnut toffee pudding with a molten chocolate centre, lightly dusted with icing sugar and finished with a dark chocolate drizzle. It is paired with banana caramel ice cream and praline crumble, bringing together richness and texture in every bite.

At Keen Mustard Ventures, we see hospitality as more than just dining - it's about building experiences that feel alive and connected to the communities around us. With Golden Embrace, we wanted to mark Women’s Day in a way that goes beyond symbolism. By supporting Shri Balabyraweshwara Educational & Charitable Trust and its work in strengthening rural education infrastructure, we’re contributing to an initiative that creates tangible, long-term impact,” said Anirudh Kheny, Founder of Keen Mustard Ventures.

Established in 2010, the Trust works closely with government and rural schools across Karnataka to improve basic facilities and create better learning environments for students from underserved communities. Through this partnership, Keen Mustard Ventures hopes to support sustained educational development while encouraging guests to participate in meaningful change through a simple dining choice.

The Golden Embrace – Hazelnut Toffee Pudding will be available only on Women’s Day across all participating outlets in Bengaluru, turning a festive indulgence into a shared contribution towards a larger cause.


Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach Unveils GDV 2.0 at Gadda Da Vida

Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach Unveils GDV 2.0 at Gadda Da Vida

By Hariharan U

Published on March 5, 2026

The beachfront landmark Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach has unveiled GDV 2.0 at its iconic outlet Gadda Da Vida, marking a refreshed culinary direction rooted in bold coastal flavours and refined cocktail craftsmanship.

More than just a menu update, GDV 2.0 leans confidently into a seafood-forward narrative. Signature highlights include Lobster Tail with Mustard Butter, Seared Salmon with Lemon Butter, Caribbean Blackened Snapper with Plantain Purée and Miso Glazed Seabass. From Charcoal-Grilled Prawns in Jerk Marinade to Fish Cafreal with Smoked Potato Mash, the dishes focus on fresh ingredients, layered seasoning and contemporary presentation.

The menu also introduces interactive shareable plates designed for social dining. Fennel-Smoked Fried Prawns, Jerk Chicken Skewers and Crispy Calamari Rings sit alongside inventive vegetarian options such as Malvani Soy ‘Tacos’ and Truffle Mushroom Xacuti Tartlets. The coastal story continues into desserts with Tropical Fruit Pavlova, Coconut Mango Panna Cotta and Espresso Tiramisu.

Complementing the cuisine is a curated cocktail programme crafted to enhance the seafood-led menu. Signature drinks including Angel's Delight, Synapse Sour, Temple Smoke, Gadda's Secret and Plumnori feature progressive infusions, layered aromatics and vibrant flavour profiles. Contemporary plating and mixology theatre add visual drama, transforming sunset dining into a multisensory beachfront experience.

Kunal Shanker, General Manager, Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach, said, “With GDV 2.0, our vision was to go beyond a menu refresh and reimagine the entire beachfront experience at Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach. Gadda Da Vida has always been synonymous with sundowners, and this change allows us to align the culinary narrative more closely with our seaside setting. With this menu revamp, we aim to elevate the value proposition of our F&B portfolio while reinforcing our standing as one of Mumbai's most dynamic beachfront hospitality destinations.”

With GDV 2.0, Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach strengthens its position as a vibrant seaside hotspot, blending curated cuisine, cocktail innovation and high-energy social ambience into a refreshed sundowner destination.

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