Learn secret recipes and culinary traditions from a Bengali gastronome as she whips up a festive brunch to celebrate the Durgotsav festival.
- This event will run once on October 13, 2018.
- 11:45AM to 3:30PM.
- 2 Non-vegetarian dishes (1 meat, 1 seafood), the remaining menu is vegetarian, details below.
- Dishes may include Gluten/Lactose/Dairy/Nuts. Please notify us of severe allergies.
- The minimum age to join this experience is 14 years.
- Minimum of six guests required; We may cancel and refund tickets if minimum is not met.
- Dress comfortably; carry a light sweater if you feel cold in air conditioning.
- Spice levels are mild to medium.
What to Expect
Learn to cook classic Bengali dishes with Ishita Saha, Kolkata-born Dubai resident and food blogger at ishitaunblogged. Ishita fed us generously during our podcast episode, Bengali Food 101 with Ishita, and has gladly extended this invitation to feast again in celebration of the Bengali festival, Durgotsav.
Watch with a hawk’s eye (and offer a helping hand) as Ishita conjures up three festive dishes, possibly letting a few of her kitchen secrets out of the bag along the way. Pick her brains on Bengali culinary traditions and learn about authentic ingredients like mustard oil, the ubiquitous Bengali five-spice mix and of course Ilish.
Once the stove is turned off, enjoy a family-style lunch, heaps of lively conversation and the characteristic long, drawn-out farewell typical of any Indian celebration.
At this interactive demo you will:
- Learn to cook recipes passed down to Ishita from her mother and grandmother that will transport you to Kolkata through the lesser known flavours of Indian food.
- Get a glimpse into traditions around Durga Pujo, a revered festival among the Bengali community.
- Discover authentic Bengali ingredients and where to hunt them down in the U.A.E.
- Be as hands-on as you like! Volunteer to help prepare the family style dishes or observe and taste as the dishes are prepped.
Dishes demonstrated:
- Begun bhaja – pan seared eggplant topped with yoghurt and garlic
- Shorshe bata maach – steamed salmon in a creamy mustard paste
- Luchi – deep fried puffed bread
Lunch Menu:
After the demonstration, retreat to the comfort of one of the Hyatt’s serviced apartments and enjoy the dishes prepared for lunch, in addition to:
- Khichuri – comforting rice and lentils porridge cooked with warming spices
- Kumro Bhaja – sliced pumpkin fritters
- Jhure Aloo Bhaja – potato strings fried till crunchy
- Shukto – light mixed vegetable stew
- Cholar Daal – gram lentils
- Kosha Mangsho – slow cooked mutton in a thick caramelised onion gravy
- Steamed Rice
- Baked Yoghurt – a dessert inspired by a classic Bengali treat
- Tomato Chutney and Lemonade – as a palate cleanser
- Aam Panna – refreshing raw mango drink
A special thank you to Hyatt Place Al Rigga, our community partners for hosting us.
The experience will be held at the Gallery Café in Hyatt Place Al Rigga. Valet and public parking is available. The nearest metro is Al Rigga metro station (red line).
What is #Sufra?
#Sufra refers to our program of limited edition experiences that go beyond our regular food tours. It includes food walks along new routes, taste battles to find the ‘Best of…” something delicious in the city, culinary road trips and more. Our team is constantly researching and collaborating with the broader food community, so that you can savour unique foods, cultures and communities nurtured in Dubai and the neighbouring Emirates.
Can anyone join a #Sufra experience?
Yes, we welcome all residents and visitors! Anyone can join by booking the listed #Sufra events on our calendar.
Can I do a #Sufra experience as a private or corporate event?
Yes! Some experiences do have a minimum or maximum group size limit. In most cases, we would be happy to adapt an existing #Sufra event for your private party or corporate team.
How are #Sufra experiences different from our signature food walks?
Here’s how, and if any one or more of these distinguishing features resonate with you, then you’re our perfect #Sufra guest:
- Stronger community focus – You’re eager to connect with other intellectually curious members of our community, over a common passion for food, culture and exploration.
- More dynamic and collaborative – You’d rather be involved in discussions moderated by a Sufra host, rather than being “guided on a tour;” you leave the event knowing that the dialogues you had within the group added richness to the experience.
- More fringe discoveries – You already know the not-so-secret “hidden gems” in the city; you’re looking to access those cultures, conversations and experiences that are rarely on the mainstream radar. They’re either reserved to a few cultural circles or are often discovered only by people with special insider access, e.g. journalists.
- Less structured, more fluid – You simply want to have a fun, not overly planned outing with like-minded people who love food!
