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India on a Plate: A journey of taste from East to West

India on a Plate: A journey of taste from East to West

Nowhere is India's universal appeal more apparent that in its wealth of cuisines. From the rich feasts of the Mughal courts that dazzled ambassadors and explorers such as Marco Polo to the colonial imports of spiced meats and kedgeree, the subcontinent has influenced world cooking like nowhere else. Travelling through today's India is to discover an almost limitless cornucopia of dishes from state to state. Long gone are the days when only butter chicken or lentil dal was the staple hotel menu for visitors. Hoteliers and chefs across the country are embracing the roots of traditional cooking methods. They are showcasing menus that explore the magic of India's food scene, from rural 'farm to table' to reinvigorated staples of both urban and village kitchens. In the first of our India On A Plate series, we meet two champions of grassroots cuisine based at some of our favourite properties in the hills of Darjeeling and the desert of Rajasthan:

HUSNA TARA PRAKASH, OWNER, GLENBURN TEA ESTATE, DARJEELING


Glenburn Tea Estate is owned by the fourth-generation of the Prakash family, locally known as ‘chai wallahs’ or tea people. The unique setting, framed by ridges, tumbling rivers and snow capped peaks, is breathtaking. Husna Tara Prakash came to Glenburn seventeen years ago after marrying into the family and has restored the two colonial bungalows at the heart of the 1600 acre tea estate into an internationally respected boutique hotel. She is passionate about guests both engaging with the local mountain cuisine and enjoying the family recipes handed down to her and produced with a Glenburn twist.

How would you describe the food at Glenburn and is it inspired by your location near Darjeeling and tea planter history?
We take great pleasure in sourcing from our own garden, such riches are available from the climate and soil we have, from herbs to spices and vegetables - and the taste is out of this world. Our family recipes, evoking our planter heritage and border location, include tea-leaf pakoras, tea smoked chicken, Tibetan momos and Burmese khow suey. We love organising picnics by the river and barbecues at the The Simbong Terrace Garden of The Burra Bungalow - there really is nothing like eating outside against the backdrop of birdsong and the soaring Kanchenjunga mountain, the third highest in the world.


In your several years running Glenburn, what interesting food discoveries have you introduced your guests to?
Flavourful local ingredients like watercress growing wild in the nearby streams, pumpkin flowers and our regional mountain cheese! And red hot chillies that add a gorgeous kick and grow in abundance here. Unexpected gifts from the rich natural tapestry around us.

With your new property, The Penthouse, opening in central Kolkata, what are your gastronomic plans for the menu there considering its position in the heart of Bengali cuisine?
Experimenting with Bengali delights like the Bekti fish, little lobsters, river prawns and exotic flavours such as the Gondhoraj lime. Our menu will reflect the fine tastes of the Bengali community. We will also serve the local rice - Gobindo Bhog (which is shorter and fatter than most rice grains and called Food for the Gods) as well as red and black rices from North East India. A recent passion is a smoked Bandel Cheese and quince, found only at a single shop in the New Market. Paired with the wine list we are curating, we are so excited to introduce a menu true to ‘the city of joy’ to our guests.

RANVEER BRAR, EXECUTIVE CHEF, ALILA FORT, BISHANGARH


The feudal turrets of Alila Fort, Bishangarh rise out of the scrub terrain near Jaipur like a mirage. An exciting new opening in Rajasthan, the property is owned by a local political family and has been restored to splendour, with contemporary notes, by the eco-conscious Alila Group. Chef Ranveer Brar, who is well known in India, is excited about working with the age- old cooking methods of the Rajput culture, a race of hunters and warriors. Brar has reintroduced the technique of  ‘dungar’ or smoking, which infuses flavours of cloves and wood into meat, as well as sand-pit cooking, with game such as quail and rabbit and has already gained rave reviews from critics and guests alike.

With urban populations growing in India and around the world, rural food is under threat of becoming both irrelevant and unsustainable. How are you challenging this trend at Alila Fort?
This is something I am passionate about. We have set up an organic farm close to the fort and guests can select their ingredients and have them cooked to their taste. There is a power in connecting people with the food source which I think is rejuvenating and enlightening. The food of rural India has such a wealth of wisdom and health benefits. Visitors here can have the wonderful opportunity of taking away both memories of delicious and new dishes from the region but equally the gift of, perhaps, a new and exciting, approach to their diets and ingredients. On a more carnivorous note, I am introducing the Rajput version of Afghan tikka, called maas ke sooley, meat skewered on swords and roasted on an open fire. This approach is both authentic, echoing  the starkness of the fort’s setting, and incredibly delicious eaten under the stars.


Where have you visited in rural India that has impacted you through its cuisine?
I spent time in a small village near Jodhpur lived in by the Bishnoi tribe, former nomads who are known for never cutting down trees and live in blissful harmony with their surroundings when not interfered with. As a side note - they are the only community allowed in India to imbibe Opium as it is deemed to be for religious use!  I sat with a matriarch named Shanti Devi who could prepare at least 50 dishes with only three or four local ingredients, including buttermilk. And every one I tasted was like heaven. This is the spirit we have brought to Alila. Despite the grand setting, we are taking people on a journey through the very soil and heart of India.

For more information or to start planning your tailor-made holiday to India, please get in touch:
info@ampersandtravel.com   //  +44 (0) 207 819 9770



Client Testimonials

We have just returned back from a wonderful trip. Thank you very much for organising everything. The transfer was excellent – for once they had perfect car seats. The villa was lovely, just what we needed and the hotel had helpfully put us as far away as possible from everyone else. The breakfast buffet was the best I have ever seen – and I am slightly obsessive over breakfast!! There was an incredible choice, something for everyone and so beautifully presented. A real highlight of the trip. Thank you again for sorting everything - and at such short notice!
- Redmayne family, Phuket
I had a very lovely time and was looked after splendidly. My first visit to India could not have been better, save for being longer! But I shall return at some point and I shall look to you to make the arrangements.
- Matthew Nicklin, North India
We really enjoyed the trip and were happy that we squeezed so much into a few short days. The Burmese people were lovely and the sites were fantastic. We really enjoyed the balloon ride and would highly suggest it to others in the future. The trip went super smoothly and a good time plus learning happened for all. Yangon was nice as the Strand was quite amazing and we of course loved the giant gold temple. Many thanks for all of your help and look forward to future travel with you.
- Wallace Family, Burma
I would recommend Ampersand without any hesitation!!! The best travel agent that I’ve ever had. Everything – from the individual care and attention in planning the trip, through to the efficiency of the agents on the ground in India – was handled brilliantly. An absolutely first-class service all round!
- Matthew Annable, Rajasthan, India
We had a wonderful holiday - everything was perfect. Thank you for helping us to make a thoughtful plan to enjoy and make most out of our trip. The places we visited, the guides, the transportation and driver, the hotels selected... Everything was great!
- Jaime Benitez, South India
So many highlights to choose from! The hotels were amazing but Maya Villa was a highlight… I loved just hanging out in the hammock reading my book and watching the peacocks chase the cows!
- Krista Weir, Sri Lanka
Everything you did for us whilst we were away was hugely appreciated, and Ampersand has been exemplary in every way. I'll always recommend you!
- Mr Richard Stoughton, Sri Lanka
Ampersand provided a bespoke and flexible holiday, tailored to my every whim. Their highly professional staff had only one goal which was to arrange an exceptional holiday and some unforgettable experiences in India. I have no hesitation in fully recommending them and they will be the first company I approach in the future - 10/10
- Anonymous, India
Ballyfin was great - we loved it! Best things were the amount of space, it felt like you had the whole place to yourself, the history of the house, and the staff. We'd definitely recommend it. Thanks very much for all the help getting it booked!
- Mr Wyburd, Ireland
I thought the Ampersand team was outstanding. We couldn’t have hoped for anything more.
- Mr Geoffrey Johnson, India
Difficult to articulate just how good the service from you and your team really was. We know you will continue to do well and hope we have the chance to seek your assistance again before long.
- Mr & Mrs Manson, North India
Without question, you put together the best trip I have ever taken. We were shown around like visiting dignitaries, the hotels were fantastic and the itinerary was just right. Everybody I know will hear about how amazing Ampersand is!
- Leslie Siben, India
Ampersand’s preparation, attention to detail and interaction before and during our trip show exactly why good travel agents have a role in today’s internet booking age. They were a delight to deal with!
- Mr David Wallace, North India
Difficult to choose the highlight of the trip, can’t choose between… 1) Taj Mahal & Oberoi Amarvilas. 2) Ranthambore. 3) Lake Palace. We have to say a particular thank you for selecting Parmod as our driver. He is a delightful and kind man who took our holiday and our enjoyment as his responsibility. Thank you for putting together such an amazing trip for us. The balance of city and rural destinations was perfect for us and the variety of rooms and hotel types brilliant. Our driver and guides also added so much to the trip with their knowledge of India’s history and culture and their willingness to discuss it both from a professional and personal angle.
- Carruthers family, North India
Getting to Amanpulo from Manila was very simple and the beach was the most beautiful I’d ever been on; pristine white sand, not a single piece of rubbish in sight. You get your own solar powered golf buggy to drive around resort (and a butler at request). The views from the Hillside Casita were spectacular!
- Mr Wyburd, Philippines
I barely know where to begin... though a sincere 'thank you' would be the best. You have organised this trip perfectly. May was an inspiring and delightful companion in Myanmar – thoroughly professional and friendly at the same time. My accommodation throughout has been superb, especially The Governor's Residence and The Mandarin Oriental. The view from the cottage at Inle Lake was beautiful and I loved every moment of being there. And here I am now on the last leg of this extended holiday at my favourite place. I could stay here for ever, the peace, silence and surroundings all amazing, plus the people and the whole aura of Vana. Thank you for much, and I look forward to speaking to you on my return.
- Ms Margulies, Burma, India & Thailand

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