New Year, New Flavours To Taste At These 5 Food Festivals To Experience This January 2024

The start of the New Year brings with it promise; in the office, at home and even on your palette. Especially if you have a daring palette, experimenting with unique tastes, flavour profiles and varied cuisines is the need of the very first month that begins the year. If you're in Mumbai, Bangalore or Pune any time soon, the food lover in you is in luck. Currently there are a handful of food festivals helmed by renowned chefs and famous restaurants spanning cuisines. So whether you'd like a Nizami burst of spice or a Scandinavian course inspired by Vikings, January 2024 is the month your palette has dreamed off. Here are 5 food festivals currently taking place across India right now.

(Also Read: These 7 Eateries In India Made It To The Top Legendary Restaurants In The World)

Rampuri Grandeur By Chef Mujeeb Ur Rehman In Mumbai

A year of royalty must begin with a majestic meal. The Rampuri Rivayaat festival is exactly that. Run by Chef Mujeeb Ur Rehman, one can expect a feast that's fit for vegetarians and meat-eaters alike. The set menu begins with a swig of shorba and moves to a variety of grilled meats; from juicy prawns to succulent chicken to crisp fried mutton, leaving you spoiled for choice. Simplicity stood out in the main course when a ghee-laden yellow dal and refined wheat roti were so exceptionally tasty, they could be eaten by themselves without any accompaniment. It wouldn't be a royal meal without a serving of chicken biryani; which, with salan and raita, was a treat for the tastebuds. Paneer kheer made for a uniquely textured dessert while the beetroot halwa was so good, we'd take it over gajar halwa any day.

Rampuri Rivayaat is taking place from January 12th to 21st, 2024, at Courtyard by Marriot International Airport, Mumbai

Nizami Indulgence By Chef Ruheen In Bangalore

The highlight of Chef Ruheen's cooking is the authenticity she brings to the dinner table. Trained by her grandmother, she dishes out Nizami favourites like aromatic marag and succulent paya that tastes true to her Hyderabadi roots. Her legendary mutton biryani isn't one to be missed and if you'd like a dessert that doesn't scream saccharine, order the Apricot Delight.

Chef's Ruheen's pop-up is taking place from January 20th to 30th, 2024 at the Sheraton Grand Bangalore Hotel at Brigade Gateway in Bangalore.

Kashmiri Pandit Cuisine By Chef Rahul Wali In Mumbai

If you haven't explored the beauty of Kashmir, at least your palette can experience its flavours. Chef Rahul Wali presents Poshmaat, which is a tribute to food of the valley. Expect a diverse tapestry of Kashmiri Pandit cuisine that is made with aromatic spices, includes hearty dishes and complete with unmatched hospitality.

Poshmaat is taking place from January 12th to 21st, 2024, at The Westin Garden City in Mumbai

Ekaa's Tasting 5.0 Japanese Mumbai By Chef Niyati Rao In Pune

Before Ekaa officially rolls out its menu in Mumbai, it is hosting a pop-up event in Pune for patrons to get a sneak preview. In collaboration with Ukiyo at The Ritz-Carton, it encompasses 9 divine courses that are inspired by dynasties from around the world like the Tsars, Aztecs and Vikings. Dive into hand-pounded Japanese Hana Bira mochi and try Ekaa's innovative take on wagashi for a culinary treat that you've only dreamed off.

Tasting 5.0 is taking place from January 17th to 19th, 2024 at The Ritz-Carton in Pune.

Kashmiriyat Delights By Chef Rajdeep Rana In Pune

Don't worry about missing out on Kashmiri cuisine if you're in Pune because you can indulge in the exquisite flavors of Kashmir with this pop-up. Experience the rich taste of kabargah, made with mutton ribs which are tender as ever and sink your teeth into the dum aloo, a signature dish of Kashmiri Pandits, all curated by Chef Rajdeep Rana, whose culinary journey has spanned 19 years.