By Sitaram Mewati
As the monsoon season sets in, JW Marriott Mumbai Juhu is bringing the rich culinary heritage of Lucknow to the city with “Dum Aur Dawaat: An Awadhi Culinary Experience” at Saffron. The specially curated food festival celebrates the grandeur of Awadhi cuisine, offering diners an opportunity to experience the refined flavours, traditions and hospitality once associated with the royal courts of Awadh.
Inspired by the timeless Dastarkhwan culture of Lucknow, the festival showcases the art of Dum-pukht cooking, a slow-cooking technique in which ingredients are sealed and cooked in their own steam, allowing flavours to develop gradually and deeply. The menu draws from the culinary expertise of the famed Qureshi masters and highlights the spice craftsmanship and cooking traditions that have defined Awadhi cuisine for generations.
The festival presents an elaborate selection of kebabs, biryanis and traditional delicacies. Vegetarian offerings include Nadur Subz Shammi Skimpuri, Bawarah Tandoori Kumbh and Peshawari Paneer, while meat lovers can savour dishes such as Murgh Angara, Nizami Boti, Murgh Seekh Gilafi and Murgh Chandi Tikka. The biryani selection forms the centrepiece of the experience, featuring options such as Gucchi Awadhi Biryani, Kathal Dum Biryani and Bhuni Tarkari Ki Biryani for vegetarians, alongside Ghost Bori Biryani, Jhinga Hari Mirch Biryani and Murgh Muradabadi Biryani for non-vegetarian diners.
Complementing the menu is an ambience designed to evoke the warmth and elegance of royal Awadhi feasts. Soft lighting, rich interiors and the aroma of slow-cooked spices create an immersive setting that blends seamlessly with the romance of the monsoon season.
The festival will be held at Saffron, JW Marriott Mumbai Juhu, from June 12 to June 20, 2026, between 7 pm and midnight. The menu will be available on an à la carte basis. Reservations can be made by calling +91 22 6693 3344 or +91 90046 16506.
Editor in Chief : Mewati SItaram
