CELEBRATIONS -- 19:

CHINESE NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS AT TAJ SAVOY ATTRACTING A LOT OF VISITORS..

BY P S SUNDAR. 

The whole world is now celebrating with weeklong festival to usher in the ‘Chinese New Year of the Pig’ and the mood has caught up in The Nilgiris as well with Taj Savoy Hotel in Ooty launching the celebrations. 

“As the common saying goes, if you develop a liking for Chinese food, you can survive in any part of the world as the Chinese cuisine has become universal decades ago”, Savoy General Manager Ritesh Choudhary told me.

“This is becoming increasingly true here as we have many UK tourists enjoying the Chinese food at this festival with us”, he said.

“But, the variety is enormous.  Each region in China has an exclusive cuisine”, he noted.

“We opened the festivities with Chinese songs and dances by Anahita Sameer Singh, a child who has come from Shanghai where her family lives.  She thrilled the audience, especially the British, with her most apt numbers”, Ritesh shared.

Front Office Manager Thameemul Ansari is welcoming the guests with a garland made with eucalyptus tree leaves.   To the add the uniqueness, he is advising the guests to drop the garland in hot water before taking bath and experience the charm of healthy fragrant Nilgiri eucalyptus bath!

“We have decorated the restaurant to give a Chinese touch", said Om Prakash, Food and Beverage Manager.

The festive spread is for the dinner for the whole week.  We are serving complimentary festive drink ‘Orange Dragon’,” he said.

The Executive Chef Arun Mohanraj and Chinese specialist Chef Arogyanathan have come out with an elaborate festive Menu and are helping the guests to choose the dishes by explaining to them the ingredients and the significance of each.

This is the Menu now in use ::

The visitors are treated to a delicious beginning of Kimchi Salad::

And, now a mocktail with tea as well::

This is Cranberry and water melon juice with some Masala Tea to offer an awesome taste::

“Among the soups, Tomato Egg Drop, Lemon Coriander Soup (picture) are popular", Executive Chef Arun Mohanraj disclosed. 

"Among the starters, vegetable Jiaozi, (pan fried vegetable dumplings with sweet chilli sauce) is popular", he noted::

And, this Crispy fried spinach and corn kernel::

Also, this sesame honey chilli tofu::

"Xi’an style spicy chicken wings and Singapore Chilli Crab are also popular”, Arun noted. 

“In the main course, Chinese Lions Head Lamb Meat dumplings and Chicken Dan Dan Noodles (wholesome meals) are popular”, he said.

This is a combination of Singapore Rice Noodles, Fried Rice and Sichuan style braised egg-plant with pickled chillies::

(response can also be sent to: pssundar.coonoor@gmail.com)