Vernika Awal
Deputy Editor
We scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!
Apologies for beginning this letter on a somewhat childish note, but you can’t blame me–for ice cream has us all excited like little kids, regardless of our age. Once, the ice cream carts would traverse through the lanes and bylanes of our cities and towns selling hand-churned ice cream with flavours that were fruity and seasonal. Now, almost three decades later, with more spending power and liberalisations of key sectors and our wider exposure to the world, our demand for ice-cream has evolved, too.
Today’s India demands artisanal ice-creams with a wide variety of global flavours, while also looking inwards into regional flavours–like Ukadiche modak ice cream, filter kaapi ice cream and phalsa sorbet, to name a few. Well, we even have vegan ice creams now!
If that’s not an evolution of the palate, then what is? Read my piece on the evolution of Indian ice cream to learn more.
Talking about our interest in food, that has gone from just eating out to analysing the food we eat, one cannot ignore the role that shows like MasterChef have played in peaking that interest. So, what if I tell you that you can taste the food cooked by a MasterChef Australia winner at a restaurant in Chennai? Yes, you read that right. Chef Sashi Cheliah has launched his first restaurant in India, called The Pandan Club–a first of its kind, serving Peranakan cuisine. What is that? Well, read the piece to know more.
We also checked out a–wait for it–no-alcohol cafe in Goa! Yes, that exists. Café Al Fresco by Bodega is a one-of-a-kind eatery, where the owner swears by food, wine, and sake, but doesn’t serve the latter two! You know you want to read this.
Bet that’ll help you chill and unwind for the upcoming festive weekend, but while you’re at it, do check out Chef Surabhi Sehgal’s wholesome laddoos, which are a treat this Diwali with a healthy twist!
I sign off this week by wishing you and your loved ones a very happy Diwali from all of us at Team Traveldine. Love and light!