Edesia at Crowne Plaza Today, New Delhi hosted the 9th edition of their annual Dilli 6 Food Festival from 16th February, 2019 to 3rd March, 2019 where the guests feasted on delicacies from the reigns of Tomars, Mughals, and Britishers to Punjabi, Baniya and Kayastha cuisine.
Events like Mega Crowne Parantha Eating Challenge where the contestants tried eating a 36 inch Parantha within a stipulated time to win a free stay at the hotel were held. Other features included a red letter box with postal code 110006 for guests, Chandni Chowk decor with silver fairy lights sprawling the ceiling, Red Fort as entrance gate, single screen theatre ticket counter, old style scooter for photos, chaat thelas, metro stations, historical monuments, photo series of posters of all iconic movies that have been shot at Old Delhi, several real elements from a real Pandit ji to a Paanwala & Bootwala, a market place consisting of elements from popular markets of Old Delhi such as Khari Baoli, Gulab Singh Johrimal, Katra Neel, Ballimaran Market, Khadi Baoli, Bhagirath Palace for shopaholics.The idea of the event was to explore what Dilli 6 has beyond Chaats. We normally think that Dilli 6 is all about thick and juicy jalebis glistening with ghee or crisp fried aloo chaat in a melange of chutneys, but thats not the fact and thats what was showcased during the culinary tour of old Delhi spanning through time, dynasties and generations.
According to Chef Swaminandan, Executive Chef, Crowne Plaza Today New Delhi Okhla, “The old city shares an intimate relationship with food across the dynasties which have ruled the mainland such as Pandavas, Tomars, Mughals and Britishers. The food at Purani Dilli is sumptuously garnished with culinary secrets that have been passed down through generations. Also, Delhi being the food capital of the country has the influence of several cuisines such as Kayastha, Baniya and Punjabi. The food festival attempts to unravel the culinary legacy of Purani Dilli travelled through ages “.The well crafted menu during the fest had Subz-E-Zar, Mahi Subz Posh, BiBi Maryam ki Roti, Naan-E-Pista, Sarai ki Gosht Biryani, Jahangiri Quorma, Mian Ki Halim , Prithvi Murgh ka Salan, Gosht Lagan Mela,Sunehri Tinda Moti, Nimone Ki Dal, Matar Paneer Neze, Bharta Telai, Dil Bahar Do Piaza and many more.
The iconic Paranthe wali Gali was also recreated for guests to experience the deep friend, golden paranthas stuffed with delicious fillings, namely mirchi, nimbu, gobhi, methi, matar , papad, mix veg, mooli, and mewa.For the people who love to smell the whiff of hot oil from the Kadhai and tawas to indulge into tangy and spicy street food, they had Matra Kulcha, Aloo Tikki, Golguppa, Dahi Bhalle, Aloo Puri, Chole Bhature, and Samosa etc. during the festival.
The mithai section featured Gali Dariba ki Jalebi, Feroze ka Habshi Halwa, Shafiq Kheer wale, Chaina Ram ka Karachi Halwa, Kuremal Ki Matka Kulfi, Daulat ki Chaat, More Lala Ka Kada Doodh, Fatehpuri Lachcha Rabri and many more.