It’s a state where, I have had quite a few childhood memories. Starting From Solan, there have been Memories of Playing cricket with a bunch of my cousin friends for days, whenever we visited, plucking of Apples & Peaches from the Trees, Watching Films at Laxmi theatre a family owned Cinema theatre the first & only one in the town. To enjoying fresh fruit Jams from now popular Bhuria Jams ( Gauva, Apple, Orange and many more flavours) and then having the HPMC fresh Squashes. While this would be Solan! Shimla not being far away and the cousins studying there, we would frequently visit the Hill Station’s too!
A lot of times the spiral roads from Chandigarh to Solan to Shimla would make me feel dizzy’s and a lot of mints and breaks later, We would reach our destination. In Shimla The Toy Trains would be our favourite spot, on many visits would we only like to go there. The Combermere Pizza’s would be a treat for us, since they would be the most cheezy and the only hot food, we enjoyed in the winters at the Hill station.
We would also like trying out the Bakes from Trishool, the Cream Roll would be the Favourite.
A tiny little Restuarant style place in the lanes of Shimla also served the Best Momo’s and Soups that we couldn’t get enough of! The Maggi noodles from the Highway near the Waterfalls, where we would Enjoy the shower and witness the sight of Monkey’s jumping and Hopping from the trees.
One time, When we visited Wildflower the Oberoi hotel, one of the most beautiful hotels with a view. There were snow leopards spotted just a couple of days earlier than we had visited. Wildflower is also the same hotel, where The movie Black was shotstarring Amitabh Bachchan and Rani Mukerji
When we would visit Himachal in snowy winters we would slide down the hills and throw snow balls on each other. The memories with Himachal, Solan, Shimla are so fresh that all these Himanchal memories seem like yesterday, but indeed it has been over 3 Decades and Multiple visits of memories. Now too, though it’s been about six Years. Since the last visit, Shimla hasn’t changed a bit. The CeCecil Oberoi: Has its own old-world charm that brings you back to the hotel again.
We also went a little further ahead to Theog and experienced the Hills from the Top overlooking all the Pine Trees, or snow trees from the Taj Theog.
Taste by @stanleytucci. A book, that you would enjoy reading not just if you like eating, but if you like cooking too! The tone used in the book, the way it has been written, takes us back to his childhood days and memories! This book has Taste on every page, while some pages are sweet, some are Bitter. The whole read is a meal! You wouldn’t like to miss it!
The Food Mood Connection by @drumanaidoo Haven’t you always said or heard? I am in the mood to eat this meal today for lunch, Breakfast or Dinner. Well! Food and Mood does have a connection and this book highlights how it affects us. An interesting book on focusing correlation between Mental Health, Food and Diet. Research and written by Uma Naidoo who has studied nutritional & lifestyle psychiatry at Harvard.
Pancake in Paris by @craigcarlsonauthor A story of an American who lived his American dream in Paris! By starting a cafe – Pancake in Paris! This story is about how he succeeded in living his dream and the challenges he faced in getting the right ingredients and introducing a Breakfast meal that wasn’t part of the French culture. A good American breakfast.
How I Quit Google to Sell Samosas @munafkapadia The Story about Borhi Kitchen – A home experience of cultural cuisine, that started a decade ago and gained popularity for the food and the experience it, it later also grew with food experience as a delivery service and for Catering at events! With a simple idea of bringing in local cultural food. This is an inspirational story set in India, Mumbai since it’s also a challenge to diversify from well-paid jobs to starting something of your own. This book also highlights the challenges one faces in the Food & Beverages and Hospitality business.
Forgotten Foods @taranahusainkhan A book on looking back at some of the food specialities that aren’t very popular these days and are well known only in certain parts of the country.
It’s always exciting to start with a new hobby! The moment you begin something, You are hungry to know everything about it. The Rules, The loopholes, the prize, the strength, the weakness, the opportunity that lies and the threats you face in continuing your hobby.
And then there comes a point, in persuading your hobby, where you don’t enjoy it anymore and you start thinking about how time flew by all these years.
Reading was an accidental hobby, I came across right when I turned 18.
It was only after reading a couple of books, that I realised what I enjoy reading and explored more on those genres and topics.
When I was looking to read more newer topics and stories, I came across the prestigious award that have been recognising talent.
While reading about all the books, that had been awarded or had been nominated.
I picked up a book. I genuinely loved the way it was written and narrated.
After that moment, I waited every year for the announcement to read more of these nominated and award-winning books. This I did for about a couple of years, and then moved to some of the other prominent awards and so on…
Then I realised, these book awards were representing a certain style of writing, and storytelling and were very depressive and emotional.
Also either, they wanted to reach a new audience or wanted to market a newer country, when they awarded books to a writer belonging to that region or country.
These book awards were also biased towards authors from certain countries and not equal to the rest who had equally good writing talent.
The book awards, too were very inclined and favouring genres that represent political views, Race, Gender and a cultural movement, which they believe were more important than voicing one’s story.
Similarly same goes for Academy awards… That is considered a landmark of success!
They too seem to have similar criteria, since these awards are reviewed and judged by selective jury members, who believe are the only voice that matters in making decisions.
There have been films and books that have been better than the ones that have been nominated or awarded but are given little importance too.
It was a couple of years ago when I decided to move past these book awards and read books for the stories, they want to tell and to my surprise, there are so many stories in each country in the world, that are worth reading and investing your time into, than to read books that have either been awarded or read by certain nationalities.
Now, looking to read my next book, I either visit the local bookstore in the cities or go through the most-read books in the country and read the synopsis and see what I would like to read next.
I had been wanting an Aeropress. And for my 27th Birthday got it as a gift. Ever since then, I have been thinking of participating in the Indian edition and last year! It was my first time.
Aeropress is so versatile you can use the ratio of coffee to water the way you would like to have your cup of coffee. Espresso Style, French Press or a Pour over style.
Aeropress was founded by Alan Adler in 2005 in the united states who was a toy manufacturer.
It wasn’t until 2008 when A friendly competition of who can brew the best Cup of Aeropress Coffee Began as a joke in 2008 in Oslo, Norway.
Three Friends competed and two of them then founded the Tim Wendelboe by Tim Varney & Tim Williams.
It became a global phenomenon with more than 60 Countries hosting the Aeropress Championship.
In 2017 Mithlesh from Nagpur who owns a cafe Now “Corridor Seven” Became the 1st Aeropress Champion from India.
The championship begins with A country hosting regional rounds in a state or city.
Each State/City will have participants who would be participating in four rounds.
First would be like an Elimination round, then a Quater, Semi-Final and Final. Depending on the number of participants.
Each Participant gets 3 minutes for preparation. Where one can heat water, Weigh the coffee beans maximum of 18 gms, and setup the Aeropress.
Each participant then gets 5 minutes to brew his cup of Coffee on the day of the competition. You could preferably carry your own Aeropress. Or could borrow another competitor at the venue. Other equipment is available and provided by the organisers at the venue
As a Participant, you would also get the coffee as part of the registration that would be used on the day of the competition to try your recipes at your residence, a couple of days before the main day!
On the day of the competition, there were 100+ participants each competing against 3 brewers and each time one winner would be chosen to compete in the next round.
So I was competing with one home brewer & a barista from a popular cafe in Bombay. And couldn’t qualify for any of the rounds.
Cut to a year later 2023!
I participated again this year! And hadn’t tried the coffee that would be used for the championship even once! But, having Practised for over a year, With a lot of different coffees from India and my travels around I figured out the coffee recipe and participated and Qualified 3 Rounds #Top13
It was a huge improvement from the past year! Hopefully, 2024 Will be better!!!
Just keep brewing & explore the equipment.
A fun experience for coffee enthusiasts and professionals.
The moment had arrived when we were not just thinking about Japan!
But, had actioned our vacation in 2018!
The flights were getting booked! The hotel, Train Tickets and Visa process had begun.
The countdown was inching closer!
Japan was happening!
The first stop of our Journey was Singapore! We travelled by Singapore Airlines which gave us the option of exploring Singapore City while we had a layover at Changi Airport.
The flight landed at Haneda Airport. We Did not choose Narita. As Haneda was closer to the city!
Tokyo! Huge! One of the largest cities in the world! With millions of people staying in MatchBox homes.
We passed by the Tokyo Tower! And soon reached our hotel! The Prince Tower Hotel Tokyo! A centrally located hotel for major tourist attractions and landmarks neighbourhood.
The first night we explored our surroundings the Roppongi a buzzing neighbourhood with nightlife and walked through the Meguro River a prominent river of Tokyo!
Oh! We witnessed the city landscape from the rooftop bar at the hotel before we called it a night.
Next, we explored the city’s sightseeing landmarks Meiji Jingu, Imperial Palace and Senso Ji temples and the Tsukiji market the largest fish market in the world.
They also have a tuna auction daily at 5:30 am. Since it’s limited seating you need to be there as early as 3 am to get in.
We explored the Akasaku neighbourhood which is traditional cultural side of Tokyo.
The neighbourhood had a very interesting hostel Bed & Books Tokyo! That was a cute little place filled with books and bunk beds!
On another day we visited Harjaku & Shinjuku which was filled with restaurants and shopping stores! While going Banana in Tokyo! I visited a Pokemon Store! Had relived those childhood moments. And little did I know I had entered the Animated neighbourhood of Tokyo Akihabara
While exploring ourselves and the city we were sometimes naturally lost! When the locals not just helped us but held us through to our final destination. Ginza! Felt like the futuristic side of Japan with Nissan cars armed with robotic gizmos and Ginza is also known as the Haute couture neighbourhood of Tokyo.
Omestando another neighbourhood about the luxuries of Japan with Architectural buildings and interiors you wouldn’t get enough of.
One of the stores worth visiting is Nicole Bergman’s Floral store in the neighbourhood.
The other side of Tokyo that we witnessed was the industrial side where all hospitality-related goods were available and to spot that there is a life-size chef Cap that you need to watch out for. And so we crossed over to Shibuya the busiest crossing neighbourhood in Tokyo whose sight can be enjoyed from a Starbucks across from the crossing and Hachi statue a dog that waited for his owner to return at the same spot over the years until the Hachi had passed away.
Before we left Tokyo we enjoyed the glimpses of Central Tokyo Station while it started to pour and we got ready for the next few journeys across the country.
The long-awaited Bullet Train shin-shaken to Kyoto had sped away.
Kyoto felt like a mystical small town in Japan that preserved the Japan of the past with temples like the Golden Temple that was surrounded by trees. The day trip to Nara Deer Park was unbelievable getting clicked and witnessing so many Deers under one roof.
The evening we enjoyed at another temple that was surrounded by trees.
Kobe! A destination that’s not on tourist Radar while visiting Japan!
But, the city had one of the oldest traditional cafe Nishimura that’s popular for its setting and Coffee Jelly a dessert that’s made of coffee and is also known for Wayu Steak! A popular beef-style steak from Japan.
Osaka! AKA The Food Capital of Japan!!
We got a taste of the Okonomiyaki traditional Japanese pancakes that are cooked live on your tables.
Amerika- Mura a neighbourhood in Japan that’s very youthful and inspired by American
Dotobori is the Shinjuku neighbourhood of Osaka that has a landmark icon of a runner.
Shinabasi an entertainment hub of Osaka that that would remind you of Times Square.
Tseutanku Tower which is sponsored by Hitachi is a sight that can be enjoyed from a rooftop space & Osaka Castle is the sightseeing to go for.
Also, Osaka the city that has a Japanese Liquor store based allow only one miniature of Yamazaki to be bought and carried by a tourist.
Important things:
Book your JR Pass at least two weeks before you travel.
To travel within Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka buy metro/Subway tickets from the station or airport.
Download the Google Translate app.
Eat in Japan:
Tokyo Banana
Ramen from Ippudo
Coffee Jelly Nishimura Kobe
Tiger Gyoza in Tokyo for Japanese Raw Food
Okonomiyaki in Osaka
Wagyu Beef in Kobe
Senbei Rice Crackers
Seaweed Potato Chips
Mochi
Matcha Tea
Cheese Tart from Secret Tokyo
Japanese Cheesecake.
Shashimi
Experience :
Tokyo Hands departmental store
Conveyor Belt Sushi
Nerman Bergman Store
Shibuya Crossing from Starbucks
Cheese Garden Store
Stay:
Prince Tower Hotel Tokyo
Westin Osaka.
Sightseeing:
Tokyo Tower & SkyTree
Imperial Palace, Tokyo
Osaka Castle
Arashiyama bamboo grove, Kyoto
Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kyoto
Kobe Port Tower
Deer Park, Nara
Hachi Statue
Cafes:
Starbucks Reserve Tokyo
Here cafe in Kyoto
%Arabica Kyoto
Nishimura Kobe.
Hoshino Cafe Tokyo
Read:
Haruki Murakami -Colourless Tsukuru Tazaki
Sayaka Murata – The Convenience Store
Meiko Kawakami – All the lovers in the night
Hiro Kawakami – Strange Weather in Tokyo
Toshikazu Kawaguchi – Before the Coffee Gets Cold series.
A K H I L N A N D A 