HAPPENING -- 18: 

WHEN ELITE VISITORS CLAPPED FOR CHRISTMAS CAROLS BY POOR CHILDREN

By P S SUNDAR 

 

Christmas celebrations at the star-studded Gateway Hotel of the Taj group in Coonoor gained value-addition with children from poor economic background making the elite visitors from various places clap with loud applause for their captivating Christmas Carols.

 Felix Marshal, music teacher who trained these children, told me, “We gave a musical presentation on the Birth of Jesus marking the Christmas.  The children gave the narration besides singing Carols”.

While six boys of the Government-aided St Antony’s Higher Secondary School, Coonoor, took the front stage singing, two 9-year-old kids – Pradhiksha and Melchior – supported with mesmerising keyboard presentation.

“This is an attempt to provide opportunity to children from marginalised section of the society to enjoy not only the Christmas festivities but the centre-stage amidst an elite audience”, said Cluster General manager Ritesh Choudhary who honoured each with gifts.

Food and Beverage Manager Bala Murugan ensured that these children enjoyed the same lavish Christmas-eve dinner as the guests.

Moved by all these, a student D Antony Joseph said, “My father is a mason and my mother is homemaker.  We cannot imagine being in such five-star ambience”.

Another student Saharish Emmanuel said, “My father is a driver.  The experience I enjoy now is unimaginable for us in the family.  But, this gives me a motivation to study well and occupy good position in life like the guests who enjoyed our presentation”.   

A visitor from Karnataka said that programme was not only enjoyable but added value to the festivities.

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

 CELEBRATIONS -- 24

CHRISTMAS EVE CELEBRATIONS AT GATEWAY COONOOR 

BY P S SUNDAR

IN keeping with the high traditions of Hotel Gateway Coonoor and the IHCL SeleQtions hailed to be among the world’s strongest hotel brands from the Taj umbrella, the Christmas Eve on December 24, 2021 had many attractions despite the need to follow Covid-19 safety protocols.

 

Cluster General Ritesh Choudhary told me, “The response for Christmas-New Year booking is overwhelming as people are interested to move around after being confined for long.  We have made usual arrangements for celebrations but with double caution due to Omicron spread.   This makes us cautiously optimistic this winter”.

"Because of the tourism restrictions in many countries due to Omicron, Indians are unable to travel abroad easily but they now move around within the country.  This adds to larger number of domestic tourists to The Nilgiris now”, he explained.

 To engage such guests, there was a captivating Carol singing by children from deprived sections of the society, Santa Claus distributing gifts, magic show and bonfire.

 There were also sumptuous spread of dinner and Christmas cakes. 

 

The entire hotel’s outskirts were illuminated with colour lights, there were Christmas Crib and tree for decoration. 

 

The dining hall had its own festive decoration. 

 

Executive Chef Ramalingam had come out with an elaborate dinner as per the Menu listed here in association with Food and Beverage Manager Bala Murugan and Restaurant Manager Shafiuddin under the guidance of the Cluster General Manager Ritesh Choudhary.  

Ramalingam 

Bala Murugan 

 Shafiuddin

CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER MENU

Soup

 

      Karaikudi attukal nalli soup

      Cream of broccoli, roasted almond & basil soup with cheese garlic croute

Bread Display

 

      Jewish challah bread / Garlic pesto & olive focaccia / Multigrain rolls / Chili & cheese rolls / Oregano Rolls / Hard rolls / Whole Wheat Rolls / Grissini / Oats rolls / Soup sticks

       

Chef’s Salad Bar

 

      Sesame rainbow salad / Basil quinoa, walnut & apple in honey chili dressing / Baby corn, sprouts & ice berg salad / Grilled sweet potato, pomegranate, Pepper mint salad / Som tam (Raw papaya salad) / Celery potato, cherry tomato in ginger mayonnaise / Pineapple, cabbage, caper, thyme in ginger Jaggery dressing / Pasta, green apple, sundried tomato in mint dressing / Mint, cucumber, tomato with feta cheese / Vegetable sandwich / Hummus bi Tahini / Tabbouleh Salad

Cheese Platter

      Edam, Parmesan, Brie, Cheddar, Blue Cheese & Feta Cheese with Celery Relish, Grapes, Crackers.

Condiments & Dressings

      Olives / Sun dried tomatoes / Fried lemon chili / varieties of Lettuce / Cherry tomato / Sprouted beans / Marinated mushroom / Vegetable crudités.

       

      Coriander mango dressing / Curry leaves dressing / Honey chilly dressing / Citrus vinaigrette / Lemon chilly jiggery

       

Cold Cuts -:

Roast leg of lamb slice in mint sauce / Chicken Galantine / Thyme rubbed roasted turkey

 

Chat Counter

      Bhel puri / Papdi chat / Masala puri / Pani puri

       

BAR-BE-QUE Live Counter:

      Lasooni pomfret / Chicken angara kabab / Chicken hariyali kebab / Cashew & Pista Kebab / Mutton galouti kebab

       

      Tiwali Babari Aloo / Tandoori Broccoli / Tandoor saffron paneer tikka / Tandoor grilled Pineapple

       

 

HERITAGE STYLE –LIVE COUNTER -: Appam with vegetable stew

Indian Breads – Live Counter - Coin Paratha, Methi Paratha

 

Pasta – Live Station -

 

      Penne, Spaghetti, Fusilli, Macaroni

      Sauce -: Bolognese, Arabiata Spicy Tomato, Cheese Sauce.

 

NON VEG –HOT DISH

 

      Grilled chamomile, garlic, olive, chicken breast in red wine & cherry tomato

      Lasooni sukka gosht with roasted badam

      Crust red chili & basil grilled prawn in olives

      Lal mirch ka tangdi Kebab

      Alleppey fish curry

      Karaikudi naatu kozhi saru {Country Chicken}

 

 

 

VEGETABLE DISH

      Bok choy & tofu in fried garlic sauce

      Stuffed brie cheese in hills beetroot croquets

      Baked broccoli with fine herbs crust

      Ajwain palak kofta

      Subz Kolhapuri

      Sweet potato stuffed in mirchi in brown onion gravy.

      Fresh local aavarai melagu masala

      Moongfalli hara pyaz aloo

      Kathirikai mushroom chettinad

      Bhindi kurkuri

      Dal lasooni methi

      Smoked dal makhani

PULAO

      Atish E Anar pulao

      Burnt garlic fried rice

      Vegetable & spinach chili Noodle

      Steamed rice

      Curd Rice

      Millet curd rice

DESSERTS

      Orange crème brulee

      Yule Log

      Ginger pudding

      Lemon cheese cake - Sugar Free

      Block bridge chocolate walnut truffle gateaux

      Cointreau peach cream catalana

      White chocolate strawberry tart

      Belgium caramelized apple butter scotch cake

      Holiday stolen bread

      Apple pie

      Christmas Cake

      Rasmalai

      Ada Pradhaman

      Fruits display

      Vanilla ice cream

      Butterscotch ice cream.

 

 

(Response can also be sent to: pssundar.coonoor@gamil.com)