Flavours of Turkey at Feast

The popular Feast restaurant at Sheraton Hyderabad Hotel Gachibowli has an ongoing 'Flavours of Turkey' food promotion on until 5th Oct 2019.  In a glittering soiree hosted by Sheraton Hyderabad and the Turkey Consulate in Hyderabad, select guests witnessed the exclusive unveiling and tasting of authentic Turkish delights especially curated by the expert guest chef, Osman Çavuş on Thursday, 26th September 2019.

The evening was inaugurated by Dr.  Adnan Altinors, Consul General of Turkey along with his lovely wife Kubrah Altinors. They welcomed all guests with warmth and spoke at length about Turkish culture. Hailing from Turkey, Chef Osman is all set to craft a myriad of signature dishes like Karnıyarık, Izmir Kofte, Kuru Patlıcan Dolması, Tas Kebab, Kasarh Kofte and much more. Satiate your sweet tooth with heavenly traditional desserts such as, Baklava, Sutlac, Fıstıklı kadayıf and more.

Chef Osman Cavus brings a cornucopia of Turkish delights wrapped in vine leaves, stuffed into preserved peppers and aubergines, tossed into sensational salads, rolled into light meat balls and baked to flaky baklavas! This one is not worth missing at all.

Turkish cuisine uses a lot of fresh produce, cheeses and meats in innovative ways. Homemade food is still preferred by Turkish people. Although the newly introduced way of life pushes the new generation to eat out; Turkish people generally prefer to eat at home. A typical meal starts with soup (especially in wintertime), followed by a dish made of vegetables or legumes boiled in a pot (typically with meat or minced meat), often with or before rice or bulgur accompanied by a salad or cacik(diluted cold yogurt dish with garlic, salt, and cucumber slices). In summertime many people prefer to eat a cold dish of vegetables cooked with olive oil instead of the soup, either before or after the main course, which can also be a chicken, meat or fish. One could sense that homemade quality of food in this festival, even though it is served on the buffet.

I loved the snacks such as Imam Biyaldi, Lamb Chorizo & Cottage Cheese Canapes. The salad counter is particularly attractive with crunchy salads and dips such as Yesil Mevsim Salatasi (Avocado Salad), Cerkez Tavugu ( Chicken & Walnut Dip), Akdeniz Salatasi ( Mediterranean Green Salad) was particularly good.

In mains I loved the Turkish style Shawarma which was bland and just right, without the unnecessary masalas they put in Hyderabad. Very nice succulent grilled chicken with salad inside. Pacanga Boregi (Lamb & vegetable pockets) were wholesome. There are plenty of veg choices comprising of flavoured rice inside vine leaves, dried aubergine and peppers.

Desserts are definitely spectacular. The variety of Baklava and Firin Sultan were the perfect end to the meal! This festival is on at Feast till 5th Oct 2019.

Gourmetlicious 2019 Launch Party at Tre Forni, Hyderabad

Goumetlicious 2019 kicked off in Hyderabad with a glittering launch party at the sparkling Tre Forni, Hyderabad's swishest Italian restaurant at Park Hyatt. A fascinating mix of eminent guests from the city right from Corporate honchos to designers to yoga exponents to ace nutritionists to entrepreneurs to professional race car drivers and more attended the event! The food by Chef Yogender Pal's team was spectacular. Chef Marcello, who heads the kitchen at Tre Forni exhibited mastery over his craft.

The ambience couldn’t have been more riveting and the conversations, more intriguing. The two brand hosts, Sankalp Vishnu and Shivani Mohan welcomed guests with warmth and exhileration. Gourmet Passport continues to set benchmarks in the arena of fine dining formats. The event partners & sponsors, Park Hyatt, CRED, Grover Zampa Vineyards, hopculture.be added that extra allure with their support.

Some of the eminent guests who attended the exquisite 5 course dinner culled out by Chef Yogender Pal and Chef Marcello Tortora were Rina Hindocha, yoga specialist; Harini Rao, classical singer;  Amer Beg, professional race car driver; Jagan Mohan, noted restauranteur; Karthik Reddy, architect, Manish Aggarwal, Executive Director, Gati Capital; Dr. Anuradha Reddy, Vice President, Continental Hospital, Vijay Marur, Shalini Badruka amongst others.

Gourmetlicious 2019 features some great set menus for you at Hyderabad’s 9 premium restaurants from 20-28th Sept 2019. The restaurants include Tre Forni and RIKA at Park Hyatt, Prego and Kangan at The Westin Hyderabad Mindspace, Zega at Sheraton Hyderabad, Waikiki at Radission Hitech City, Aish at The Park Hyderabad and Morsel & Tisane. These sumptuous 3-4 course meals for two are priced in the range of Rs 2000-Rs 3500/- for two.

For this special evening, Chef Marcello Tortora created a wonderful amalgamation of unique textures, flavoures and tastes. The amuse bouche was Savory Cannollo with Goat Cheese, Pistachio and Truffle Essence, a tantalising introduction to the treats ahead.

The next course a salad was light and refreshing: Asparagus Tartare with Porcini Crisps, Mascarpone Mousse and Balsamic Caviar.The non veg version of this had cured egg too.

Can’t dine in an Italian restaurant without some pasta. Here for Primi or Entrée, Chef Marcello created the absolutely exquisite Ricotta and Wild Mushroom Capelletti, Parmesan sauce and Truffle Foam. Melt in the mouth, with so many layers of taste, one would be happy if this dish was one’s last meal on Earth. 

Sorbets sometimes end up so de rigeur but here too Tre Forni came up with a stunning Cantaloupe Melon Sorbet covered with a pretty blanket of Basil Jelly with lemon zest. The presentation was sublime.

The main course or Secondi of course had to be the main attraction. The non veg certainly rose up to the occasion. It was tender Lamb Rack, Saffron Barley, Stuffed Baby Onion and Eggplant Quenelle. Lamb was perfectly cooked and juicy. Saffron barley was an interesting dimension and the sides were innovative.

Dolce or Dessert was a rustic Walnut and Poached Peer Cheesecake although served in a fancy way. Creamy and fruity at the same time. Full of crunchy goodness.

All in all, a meal to remember! Explore many such menus across 9 restaurants in Hyderabad with Gourmetlicious 2019!