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Orchid Hotel Mumbai: Legendary Chef Bimba Nayak presents Authentic Pathare Prabhu Delights

Orchid Hotel Mumbai: Legendary Chef Bimba Nayak presents Authentic Pathare Prabhu Delights

By Mewati Sitaram

Those who have heard of Pathare Prabhu cuisine but unable to find where to relish. Orchid Hotel in Mumbai brings back hidden treasure of Pathare Prabhu delicacies under the helm of Legendary Chef Bimba Nayak. The festival is organized in South of Vindhyas restaurant, brain child of Legendary hotelier Dr. Vitthal Kamat.

Chef Bimba has brought her heritage, generational knowledge of the Pathare Prabhu cuisine and stories to the restaurant, South of Vindhyas, in a week-long festival. Here, you can relish exclusive vegetarian and non-vegetarian delicacies to choose from.

The restaurant is decorated with Pathare Prabhu cultural ambience and staff are wearing traditional attire. Outside at the entrance of South of Vidhyas, a fish net is erected, displaying various types of fishes including prawns. A large gate is created on the main entrance of the restaurant. Lady staff are wearing nauvari sarees (Nine yards sarees) whereas male staff are wearing Kurta Paijama with traditional feta (Head Gear). Placards are displayed in the restaurant, highlighting history, origin and importance of the recipe.

Chef Bimba and her daughter in law Gauri Nayak ensure to meet every guest on their table to explain details of the recipe. The guests were curious to know more about the history of cuisine. A menu card is displayed on the table which mentions details of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes served in Thali.

Chef Bimba Nayak said “The Pathare Prabhu community travelled down from the Aravalli Mountain ranges through Rajasthan and Gujarat. They often worked with several rulers from Muslim kings to the Peshwas, British, Portuguese and the French. It is a delectable and diverse variety of foods. The only drawback is that the community has been reserved in sharing these recipes. But here I am presenting exclusive dishes which are unheard of”.

Chef Bimba added “I have worked at the Royal Family of Kuwait and have cooked Pathare Prabhu cuisine. Even in community gatherings in Kuwait, I have cooked this recipe which is well appreciated. I am thankful to Orchid Hotel management for giving me such a wonderful platform to showcase Pathare Prabhu food festival at Award winning South of Vindhyas restaurant. Chef Dhairyashil and his team took keen interest to take this recipe to the next level, heartfelt gratitude to the entire team”.

Dhairyashil Raibagakar, Executive Chef of Orchid Hotel said “We at Orchid Hotel organize various Local to Global food festivals periodically. This time, we have organized a Pathare Prabhu food festival which is very popular and well appreciated”.