Taj Hotels is embarking on a special culinary journey to celebrate 70 years of India’s Independence. The hotel chains has re-introduced a menu served in 1947 in its hotel in Mumbai and has priced it at Rs 1947.
The three-course Indo-French meal, most likely created by Chef Minguel Arcanjo Mascarenhas was served to Lord Mountbatten, India’s last Viceroy on the fateful night India awoke to life and freedom.
Executive Chef of Taj Mahal Palace in Mumbai, Amit Chowdhury explains why the menu is infused with European flavours. “For the first 40 years of its existence, the kitchens of the Taj were dominated by a succession of French chefs, just as its dining rooms were commanded by Italian, French and occasionally English maîtres d’hôtel,” says Amit.
And it turns out, the historic menu was discovered completely by accident, by a Taj associate a while ago. “We thought it was a valuable asset that reiterates the historic relevance of the hotel and shared it around, before it was picked up on as a great initiative to mark this special 70th year of Independence,” said Amit. 70 years later, the Executive Chef and his team are attempting to recreate history through its menu.
Among the various dishes that are being served throughout the country (with minor alterations in names depending on the region), one could expect a tomato clear soup called Consomme a l’Indienne infused with Indian flavours. Another dish named as Veloutes d’Amandes, (also a soup) will be served at the hotel chain across the country.
For appetiser, expect to be served Delices a l-Hindustan, a dish with three-flavored smoked cottage cheese steaks and mint chutney. The main course will be salmon roulade, soft creamy mash, wilted spinach, turned vegetables and joinville sauce, named as Paupiette de Saumon Joinville. And Poularde Soufflé Independence (chicken soufflé) would also be served on the platter. The dessert will have a portion of Vacherin de Peches Liberation.
Well, you can certainly kiss your diet good-bye with this menu.
The one change from the night 71 years ago would be the three-piece band, a saxophonist, pianist and singer who will replace the cabaret night in 1947.
The menu will be served between August 12-15 at the follwing Taj properties: Taj Palace, New Delhi; Taj Bengal, Kolkata; Taj Coromandel, Chennai; Bengaluru’s Taj West End; Taj Falaknuma Palace, Hyderabad, Taj Krishna, Hyderabad, and A Taj hotel, London, St. James Court.
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