Maharashtrian Food Festival – Ten days of pure indulgence! Reviewed!

What if you get a chance to eat the food from royal kitchens or the recipes which are on the verge of getting lost or the authentic recipes but are known to a few? Courtyard by Marriott Pune Hinjawadi in association with Maharashtra Tourism and Development Corporation (MTDC) is hosting a 10 days Maharashtrian food festival from April 11th April – 21st April 2016 which will feature all the royal and ancient cuisines of Maharashtra.

The menu is specially crafted by celebrated food connoisseur Aditya Mehendale, scion of the Sardaar Raste family. He is known to blend tradition with innovation to create delectably unique dishes. A book "Rare Gems", written by Mehendale showcases all the hidden traditional non-veg recipes across the state. 'The purpose of organizing these festivals is to revive and present the old age recipes', says Aditya Mehendale.

One can feast on the lavish lunch buffet (Rs. 749 plus taxes) or fulfilling traditional thali (Rs. 999 plus taxes) over a dinner in the Maharashtrian Food Festival at MoMo Cafe. Servers can be seen dressed up in traditional attires. Females in so colorful nauvari saree and males in shirt and pyjamas with vibrant turbans. The whole ambience is to reinstitute the customs and food.

Chef will take you on the gastronomical tour across royal cuisines featuring Patahre Prabhu Kombdi masala, Nagpur’s Saoji Machhi Masala, Varhadi Mutton, Konkan – Malwani phanes sukka, Kolapuri kombdi rassa and more.Vegetarians can also relish delicacies like Matki chi usal, Bhakri along with live counter for Pithla. Soothe your taste palates with unique desserts like Kharwas or Ratalyachi Kheer.

Chef Aditya, Chef Vikram and his team has put in a lot of effort for the festival. Abhijit Chitnis, Director of Operations was also present there with us during the meet. After a chit-chat with chefs and bloggers, the day's special Veg Kolhapuri Thali was served to us starting with Solkadhi, an appetizer, truly refreshing!

What a huge beautiful copper thali with a proper arrangement of Bhindi Bhaji, Matki chi usal, Gawari chi bhaji, Pithla, Suralichi vadi, Aluvadi. Hot Pithla was served from live Pithla counter and it tasted great with bhakri. Highly recommended is Ratalyachi Kheer and Kharwas. Very creamy and fresh. Everything was authentic and lip-smacking. One really needs a good appetite to finish the thali.