Your food is your cure says Geeta Ramesh, Kairali

I had heard a lot about Kairali The Healing Village. It is famous both in India and abroad. I was really curious to meet with the brains behind Kairali so when I got an opportunity to meet with them at Kairali I was very excited. Owners are a fabulous couple. Below is the snippet of our conversation.

Mr. K.V. Ramesh and Ms. Geeta Ramesh

Interaction with K.V. Ramesh and Geeta Ramesh

What was the inspiration to behind Kairali?

Mr. K.V. Ramesh said that he belongs to an Ayurvedic family and Ayurveda runs in their blood so he used to always see his father studying Ayurveda and doing research on the same. He used to see how medicines were being prepared. They had a factory in Bangalore which they shifted to Palakkad and after while they opened a treatment centre in Delhi it was a huge success. People loved its products and the treatment that was provided at the centre. On public demand since they already had land in Palakkad, they decided to make a resort.

What is your vision for Kairali?

We want to have presence across the globe. We already have 42 centres in the world and are planning to open centres in almost all countries. Also, there is ample space that we have opposite this resort. We plan to have a high end property for who's who of the world

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Nidhi KM

A sea of opportunities at SATTE 2017

This year's SATTE was different as it was the first time that SATTE had introduced awards. I was the part of inauguration Ceremony of SATTE 2017 that was held at Le Meridien , Delhi.

Chief Guest, Dr Mahesh Sharma, Union Minister of State for Tourism & Culture (Independent Charge) and Civil Aviation, Govt. of India ( TBC ) along with Mr. Vinod Zutshi, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, Mr. Surendra Patwa, Minister of State for Culture and Tourism, Madhya Pradesh, Mr. Ashwani Lohani, CMD, Air India, Mr. Subash Goyal, Chairman, Stic Travel and Member, National Tourism Advisory Council, Mr. Dato Seri Mohamed Nazri, Minister of Tourism and Culture, Malaysia and Mr. Yogesh Mudras, Managing Director, UBM India inaugurated the show amidst an industry august gathering from the travel and trade fraternity.

First of all Mr. Mahesh Sharma introduced various aspects of India as a tourist destination to our guests. He also mentioned that Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi has taken tourism in a big way and to new Heights. Tourism generates employment, revenue and more. India is a land of spirituality, Vedas, Upanishad , truth of nonviolence, Lord Mahavir and Lord Buddha, Amir Khusro. 

There was a dance performance by India and Srilanka

He then awarded to achievers in various categories of travel, tourism and hospitality.

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Nidhi KM

Blog your way up says BlogX @ Shangrila Eros

BlogX is a conference where bloggers and content managers connect and network with Industry leaders. The event happens at a large scale.

I was curious to go to BlogX meet at Shangrila Eros presented by Air Asia. I reached there at lunch time. First I had food which was delicious.

I then attended the Travel Hackathon competition for Air Asia sponsored by Air Asia. We were divided into four groups. We were asked to create a hack for Air Asia and present in just two minutes. Each group decided their speech and presented. I am sure although not all teams won but Air Asia got ample ideas.

After that there was a full blown session on Blogging tips by Iftekhar Ahmed, India's top affiliate marketer, blogger and influencer. I found those tips really useful in terms of how to get due credits for your photographs, how to get back links from good sites, submit a deal, help a reporter and more. 

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Nidhi KM

Magical Italian cuisine by Chef Salvatore Salis @ Prego , Westin

Westin Gurgaon Prego is an Italian restaurant with both open air and closed seating. Since Italian is one of my favourite cuisines, I wanted to savour the innovations by new Chef Salvatore Salis. Westin Gurgaon has recently appointed Chef Salvatore Salis as an Italian Chef.

Chef Salvatore Salis

Ambiance of Prego

Jelling very well with walls and aesthetics of the room brownish furniture looked sophisticated. Each table was placed in a way to provide adequate on table privacy. Lamps were nice and jazzy.

Culinary session

When I was attending the culinary session by the Chef , I wanted to know the name ingredients of each dish he was preparing.

He first prepared Pesto Alla Genovese

Ingredients required

Basil 50 gms
Almond 50gms
Parmesan Cheese 60gms
Extra virgin olive oil 90gms
Garlic 1 clove
Black pepper a pinch
Salt to taste
Ice cubes 3-4

Recipe

In a food processor, blend together basil leaves, nuts, garlic, and parmesan cheese. Pour in extra virgin olive oil slowly while still mixing.
Stir in salt and pepper and ice cube.
Use as required for soups, salads, pasta spreads etc

I tasted the sauce and it was delicious.

Chef Salvatore Salis then prepared Chicken breast Milanese Style

Ingredients required

Chicken breast 160 gms
Eggs 2 nos
Bread crumbs 60 gms
Flour 20 gms
Butter 40 gms
Olive oil 10 ml
Black pepper a pinch
Salt to taste

Chicken breast Milanese Style

Preparation

Beat eggs with salt and pepper in a shallow dish and keep ready
A bowl of flour and a bowl of bread ready
Gently press chicken into the flour to coat and shake off the excess flour.
Dip into the beaten egg
Coat the chicken breast now with bread crumbs.
Melt butter with olive oil in a pan, cook on medium heat until cooked and golden brown in colour
Serve hot

Food at Prego

We then settled after the class and I tasted vegetarian and chicken ceaser salad. Both salads were irresistible while being healthy.

Caesar Salad at Prego

Minestrone soup was lip smacking. It was delicious and had my favourite vegetables floating in it.

Minestrone soup

Chicken pizza had crisp base with juicy toppings. Chicken pieces nicely done. They melted in my mouth so I was tempted and had more. Pizza had perfect proportions of spices, cheese and toppings.

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Nidhi KM

Chicken pizza

'Great food is the key'- Sanjay Gupta, GM Le Meridien Jaipur

During my visit to the Jaipur Literary Festival and stay at Le Meridien, I had an opportunity to interact with Sanjay Gupta, the General Manager of Le Meridien, Jaipur. Since my stay at the property was excellent, I was curious to understand thoughts of the General Manager. So, below is what I gathered as an information from him.

Interaction with Sanjay Gupta, GM, Le Meridien Jaipur

How do you differentiate Le Meridien Jaipur with that of competitors?

Le Meridien Jaipur is a resort having 126 rooms. So it's a great property for destination wedding unlike other big inventory hotels. It happens like the entire hotel belongs to one guest. We get many inbound guests from UK, France and US. We hold many MICE conferences. Corporate hotels market segments are different .

We do food and beverage which is theme based. Our tea and coffee break is just not simple tea or coffee break. It revolves around a theme for example for chocolate theme, cookies would be chocolate cookies, drinks would also be based on chocolates.

In any kind of theme setting, food is very well thought about. For example, for a Rajasthani setting, cuisine is paid special attention to. In Lucknawi cuisine for Sangeet ceremony, again focus is paid on setting, ambiance and food remains in forefront.

2. What is the long term vision?

Referral business world is for us. Customers come with certain expectations so the bar is already raised. We are number 2 property in Asia Pacific in all Le Meridien hotels.
Our vision is to become no one and be there. For guests, it's not a simple check in but a place to relax and unwind. Services are customised for the guest depending on the type of stay. We have our tools to keep everyone updated in status and queries of guests and their requirements. We give personalised attention to guests by knowing their tastes and serving them accordingly. He said when Jimmmy Shergil visited, the staff got the hint about Jimmy's wish to eat Dosa Sambhar. So when he came at the breakfast table, Jimmy was surprised to see Dosa Sambhar for his breakfast.

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Nidhi KM

©Viharin.com

Royal Experience at Fairmont, Jaipur

I had heard a lot about Fairmont Jaipur and was waiting for an opportunity to experience Fairmont. Having visited Jaipur 8/9 times in my life, as a family we were not planning any personal trips there. So, I was happy to know about my stay at Fairmont during Jaipur Literary Festival. After lunch, as I headed to Fairmont, it was an amazing ambiance. They have a tradition to beat drums at the big entrance gate.

Fairmont , Jaipur

It feels so welcomed! As you enter, a person plays a veena amongst beautiful lights and ambiance.

At the entrance

 

 

Ambiance of Fairmont

The hotel is built to give a traditional Rajasthani touch and ambiance. It feels very nice to be in an ambiance like that of a palace. As I moved ahead, there was an area called char Bagh having four little gardens.

Char Bagh

Further there is a vast reception area leading to a restaurant all well lit with jazzy lights and stylish furniture.

Reception

To the right , there is another beautiful restaurant Zoya facing the swimming pool overlooking beautiful Arravali hills. There is a library bar designed to provide enough space to each. That is a very interesting place and I was so impressed with it. It reminded me of Officer's mess in Shimla that had fine dining and enough space. One can read , watch TV or simply relax. I asked the staff and learnt that it's an award winning place.

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Nidhi KM

Jaipur Literary Festival - A must attend!

My experience at Jaipur Literary festival was great! It was my first time there and I was quite excited for the same. After reaching Le Meridien by the noon and relaxing, we were ready for an enlightening Author's evening moderated by Amrita Tripathi for Chitra Banerjee Devakaruni. It was a great session and I have written a separate post for the same.Food that evening was sumptuous and totally irresistible.

Jaipur Literary Festival

Next day morning, we were at Jaipur Literary Festival. There were many venues having discussions on current affairs, travel, fiction , religion and more. I being interested in Travel stories attended two sessions on Travel. First session was from famous authors telling their stories from life experiences and fiction.

Venue - Samvad

First session I attended was Footloose: The Travel Session
Panel comprised of Aarathi Prasad, Bee Rowlatt, Brigid Keenan, Nidhi Dugar and Simon Winchester in conversation with William Dalrymple introduced by Karan Anand Presented by Aga Khan Foundation

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Nidhi KM

Venue- Charbagh

Great experience @ Latest Recipe – Le Meridien, Jaipur

I was curious to see how restaurant Latest Recipe at Le Meridien Jaipur presents contemporary food with Rajasthani cuisine.I must say it was a convenient and great presentation and taste!

Ambiance at Latest Recipe

The bright colour combination of the restaurant gave a refreshing feeling. I reached the restaurant during lunch time. It was a nice soothing ambiance with tables nicely spaced. As it was noon time when I reached, Le Meridien Jaipur, I was already hungry.

View of Latest Recipe from first floor

Food

I first had my favourite fresh lime soda salted. Then I had Kasturi Methi Chicken which was super delicious.

Kasturi Methi Chicken

Mixed vegetable had all the vegetables nicely combined with great taste.

Mixed vegetable

Mutton was very soft and mouthwatering. It was neither very spicy nor oily. It was just perfect! Arhar dal with rice was irresistile. 

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Nidhi KM

When I was invited by Le Meridien Jaipur to cover Jaipur Literary Festival, I instantly agreed to the offer.  I was excited not only to experience Le Meridien Jaipur but also Literary Festival with respect to Le Meridien. I have already written an article on my experience of Jaipur Literary Festival with respect to Le Meridien. In this article, I review Le Meridien Jaipur as I can not resist writing the same owing to my great experience.

Review Le Meridien Jaipur

When I reached the property, it seemed to be a very warm and hospitable one. The entrance welcomed us with beautiful trees surrounded by little fountains.

Entrance of Le Meridien Jaipur

Further ahead was a big reception with sophisticated decor.

Reception area

Next to reception is a quirky restaurant- Latest Recipe with a refreshing colour combination. The service and hospitality of Latest Recipe deserve a special blog post which I plan to write in next few days.

Restaurant Latest Recipe

On the other side of reception is swimming pool surrounded by rooms complex on two sides and the third side with villas.

Swimming pool

One side of rooms have a Rajasthani touch and the other set of rooms have contemporary style.

Walk way on the Rajasthani touch style rooms

Third side was dedicated to villas.

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Nidhi KM

Area around Villas