food blogger,
Contact:
Trilogi, Crowne Plaza Kochin | Kuttanadan food festival
The mordern day Indian has
developed a evolved taste in food owing to the exposure and influx of
international cuisine. They are often seen enjoying delectable food from
different cuisines and malayalis are no way behind in the same. The mordern
lifestyle has opened up so many avenues, that at times we tend to forget or
overlook our own rich and vibrant cuisine.
When I think of kerala cuisine
what prominently fills my mind is the goodness of local food, with spicy
masala's, an array of vegetables and meat, the aroma of coconut oil, creamy
coconut milk and tasty chutneys or rather chamanthi.
The Kuttanadan festival at Trilogi
in Crowne Plaza, Kochin is welcoming food lovers to the gastronomic delights of
kerala particularly Kuttanad, with it’s Kuttanadan Food Festival.
Though I’m a
native of Kerala, I’m not fully aware of Kuttanadan cuisine and the only thing
that came to my mind was the song “kuttanadan Kayillile’. However, my parents
were more than willing to throw light on the Kuttanadan way of life and more
importantly their cuisine.
The lifestyle in
Kuttanad mainly revolves around farming and hence the cuisine has to be one
which provides them with enough energy and one that doesn’t make them
lethargic. Chef Rejimon, South Indian Master Chef at Trilogy whose family hails
from Kuttanad says that the food is supposed to make the people happy. Its
purpose to fill the diner with joy and make them forget the hardships of the
day.
The Kuttanadan
Buffet at Trilogy makes for a hearty dining experience from August 25th to 31st.
As you walk
towards Trilogi, you are welcomed with a glimpse of Kuttanad with a thatched
roof entarnce and a cycle. As soon as you walk into the visiting area, you see
a miniature boat with groceries on it. Props like fishnet, utensils (Ammi
Kallu, Bharni etc) give the guests a lively experience.
The soft lights
and muted interiors provide a sense of comfort and privacy. Folk music that was
playing throughout bought a sense of connect with the food festival.
We started off
with soup and were torn between Drumstick soup and Seafood in coconut soup. If
you know my love for seafood, then you would know what I chose. The Seafood
soup was rich and creamy, and had ample bite sized crab portions. The soup
heightened my expectations for what was to follow.
What caught my attention
was the amazing spread of Chammanthi. There was all you
could imagine - chutneys made of coconut, mango, prawn, ginger and shallots.
Some of these can be stored for a few days without adding any artificial
preservatives.
Right next to the
chamanti section was a spread of pachadi’s ready to be savoured.
Appetisers included
karimeen fry, pallathi fry and natholiu fry, marinated and deep fried in
coconut oil. All the sea food included in the menu are puzhameen (fish found in
canals/rivers) along with few munchies.
Moving on to the main course, the
usual suspects are in attendance: River fishes
and duck (duck roast and duck eggs) that is essential for a Kuttanadan life. Karimeen
pattichadu (pearl spot fish), kunju theyyal (prawns), beef perattiyadu,koonthal
peera (squid), live station for pidierachi (rice dumplings in chicken gravy),
matta rice served in a pot, kadachakka, mix of roots – kappa (tapioca), chembu
(colocasia), chena (yam), and kachil (purple yam), pineapple pulissery, &
green peas masala. Along with them, there were also appam and tattudosa (my
favorites).
The dishes were rich and filling
and a testament to what can be achieved by local cuisine.
Any meal is incomplete without
dessert and what followed for dessert was equally surprising. The desert
section was spread out with the following – vatteappam, kuzhalappam, achappam,
white and black ellunda, sharkara vayati and gothambu payasam (broken wheat
payasam). The desserts were a welcome change from the usual mousse and tarts. I
tried the thick and creamy Gothambu payasam and ellunda.
After a meal filled with elements
of the best provided by the State, one cannot help but feel grateful to have
experienced a culinary tradition so closely linked to the land that inspired it.
The food festival
is being spearheaded by Master Chef Rejimon who hails from Kuttanad. The buffet
is priced at INR 995 + tax per person.
Contact:
Trilogi, Crowne Plaza Kochin
Location: Lobby Level, Crowne Plaza Kochi, Kundanoor Junction, Maradu, Marad, Kochi
Location: Lobby Level, Crowne Plaza Kochi, Kundanoor Junction, Maradu, Marad, Kochi
Timings – 7 PM to 11:00 PM
Cost: INR 1,600 for two
Reserve your table at: 0484 2865000
I was invited to Trilogi and all views and images are © Urbanmodish, unless stated otherwise.
I was invited to Trilogi and all views and images are © Urbanmodish, unless stated otherwise.
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