“That without experimentation, a willingness to ask questions and try new things, we shall surely become static, repetitive, moribund” Anthony Bourdain
When asked on the forum what would take the Pune food scene to another level-I knew it- it was educating the masses (coz I know what I am expecting and I’m definitely one amongst them!) about new food culture, cuisines & ingredients and at the same time giving importance to local produce and cuisine- which won me a place at this special PEO chefs table at Malaka Spice!
The first event where I actually enjoyed food and not clicked any esthetic pictures! The first one where bossman of Malaka Spice taught us to use chopsticks in 25 seconds, the first one where I knew Malaka Spice was way beyond top hats and thai thigh, the first one where I overcame my fear of Japanese food and the first one which I shall remember fondly!
Right in front of the chef, a special table for us, the PEOple, mesmerized by stories by Praful Chandawarkar and Chef Vikram,Chef Shatrugan! (overcoming my obsession with Instagram stories of Japanese food and actually experiencing it!)
Trying out smoked eel to raw salmon n tuna, doing my homework with sushi, sashimi, nigiri so I’m not the odd man out, to actually making one- if thats what Pune’s first Chefs Table was about to wanting for more- everything that day was an experience to last a lifetime!
Being an introvert that I’m and still people trying to strike a conversation, to the servers filling up Sake (fermented rice wine) and craft beer and wanting to grasp all the knowledge which you ACTUALLY had to pay so much for….
Personal favorites – Absolutely the sushi, nigiri(specifically the flavour of fish eggs in the nigiri – Citrusy burst for me! ) and the sashimi (i admit it shall take time for me to adapt to the raw fish), the ramen (chicken for me, first time with chopsticks! ) and the locally produced guava cheesecake to the best Japanese chocolate truffle ever ( with a wasabi punch) ! Special mention to the palate cleanser pickled ginger which I savoured like a dish!
Aniruddha Patil, I can guess whats coming for Pune and all I can say is, they don’t absolutely have a clue- gone are the days of tasting and #iwasinvited… Welcome, #thechefstable!
This article is taken from Shruti Digholkar‘s post in Pune Eat Outs.
