Show Last Year (Mumbai) | Show Last Year (Hyderabad)

The 7th UpperCrust Show

Creating Ripples In The City Of Nawabs

Hyderabad is where the genuine tastebuds are. And where the young and the old alike are gung-ho about experimenting with new cuisines and international ingredients. Here is where UPPERCRUST SHOW makes its national debut

After many successful innings in Mumbai, UpperCrust Show decided it was time to spread its wings and take its unique concept of synergising food and wine, cookery demos and celebrity talks, culinary workshops et al to another city of India. After much deliberations Hyderabad was selected. For two reasons: here is where the true-blue foodies of the country live and one where the market for international cuisines is expanding.

By turning up in droves Hyderabadis proved to UpperCrust that it had made the right decision in selecting this city. The gourmet in every resident of Hyderabad rejoiced and celebrated the three day food extravaganza which was held at the HICC, Hyderabad International Convention Centre. The HICC is a beautiful property, part of the Novotel Hotel complex, with every amenity possible, perfect to hold a trade fair the stature of UpperCrust Show. It is also the biggest and the best of convention centres of India, presently.

The opening ceremony was very charming. Dr T Subba Rami Reddy, MP and Salman Khurshid, Minister of Minority Affairs, cut the inauguration ribbon at the grand entrance and proceeded to the exhibition halls to light the ceremonial lamp where they were joined by Guests of Honour, Namrata Shirodkar, Nawab Shah Alam and Swaranjit Sen, Chairman, APTDC.

They made relevant and meaningful speeches, short and informal, expressing their pleasure and delight that their city was now on the UpperCrust Show map. Dr Reddy was asked to release the UpperCrust issue of the quarter and started to beam from ear to ear when he saw who was adorning the cover. Apple of his eye, his charming daughter Pinky Reddy! He was so proud he couldn't stop smiling.

After the ceremony the chief guests happily walked along the alleys checking each and every booth, amazed at the variety of products and the zeal behind the endeavour. They could not believe that all the international foods and ingredients they saw displayed in the various booths, were now available in India.

After their leisurely stroll they stopped by at the various food counters and dug into delectable fare, tasting to their hearts desire. Who says our politicians are boors with limited interests. Here were two very articulate ones displaying a great sense of humour, easy-going, interested in learning more, delving into nuances, chatting with ordinary people, cheerfully signing autographs and what's more proving they had very active tastebuds!

The cookery demonstrations which is the USP of the UpperCrust Shows was a huge hit. Unlike in Mumbai where the demos are held al fresco in a courtyard or a garden, in Hyderabad they were held indoors, in the cool comfort of the air-conditioned convention centre, at one end of the 25,000 square foot area. This arrangement has its own charms. Visitors could walk around, look, see, shop. Catch a demo and continue shopping. There was plenty of choice for meals too.

We noticed, and were happy about the fact that the visitors at the Show were unhurried and spent hours at the exhibition. Unlike Mumbai, where it's all rush, rush, rush. We hate to admit it but if we were to compare the visitor profiles of the two cities -Mumbai and Hyderabad, the latter comes a cropper. It must have much to do with the pace of living. All slow and easy, life for the Hyderabadi is not going anywhere. They like to take it easy, savour each moment. The Nawabs will be nawabs, you can't rush them. Once they decide to do something, they do it fully and with maximum pleasure. UpperCrust approves, and is glad it found many new subscribers in the people of this city.

The food court was created very stylishly. There was plenty of choice, with many tables and chairs placed strategically so you could sit and enjoy your food as well as watch the live demos. Isda Thai, a new restaurant of Hyderabad which is creating ripples in the city made its presence felt very strongly. Right from an elaborate menu, to a pretty Thai girl dressed in traditional clothes who sat creating fruit art. There were many who were interested in learning how to carve and the Isda girl willingly taught them. Isda also extended the concept of the massage rooms which they have at their large restaurant situated in Jubilee Hills and so had a proficient Thai masseur giving free foot massages to those who had walked around the large hall sufficiently enough to feel the need for a relaxing rub down. Ohri's, Hyderabad's largest and oldest chain of restaurants was there too, with their specialty chaats. And so was Zaffran, with amazing mughlai fare.

The cookery demos were conducted by only the top chefs of the city, needless to add they were all hugely talented and had the visitors literally eating out of their hands. On the opening day there was Chef Shyam Sunder of Novotel who took the participants through the rigours of BBQing. A passionate Chef, Shyam Sunder does a great job at the restaurants of his hotel which has one of the best buffet spreads at The Square.

Everyone in Hyderabad swears by Golden Dragon, the Chinese restaurant at Taj Krishna. So it was only natural we had to get Chef Hung Fong Ng (it's easier to call him by his nickname, Tony), to show us his special skills. He demonstrated how to make Seaweed Vegetable Clear Soup and Stir Fried Rock Lobster with Pineapple Butter Chilli Sauce.

Ista Hyderabad is a charming boutique hotel. Very supportively the entire team, right from the GM to the Sales and Marketing managers came to cheer their Executive Chef Ashis Kumar Rout, as he created one Italian masterpiece after another; Smoked Cheese & Eggplant Fritter, Pan Seared Loire Valley Marget Du Canard with Blueberry Jus and Steamed Seabass.

The ITC chefs not only created magic, they came prepared with tasting portions to feed an army. So the result was all the lucky participants at this demo, by the grace of God, enjoyed full and hearty meals of sumptuous fare from the menu of another favourite restaurant of the locals; Kebabs And Kurries. Chef Zaheer Khan returned to Kakatia, his hotel, a pleased man with all the applause that came his way.

Chef Banshi Dhar of BJN Limited took Hyderabadis on a world tour with his Global cooking. And what did he demonstrate Avocado Shake with Mascarpone Dollops and Sizzling Risotto Pancakes and Purple Yam with Wild Mushroom Confit. Prahlad Kakkar, our man from Mumbai regaled those watching his demo by his cooking prowess as well as his gift of the gab. Cambay prawns and Prahlad go hand in hand.

For just desserts, there was Zia Bilgrami. Anyone who is anyone in Hyderabad orders from this pretty lady's delicatessen, called Zsáraliz. She took the participants through her session with great care and patience, explaining in minute details how they could succeed in their kitchens while creating such yummy sweets as Tuiled Chocolate Hazelnut Mousse Tuile, Chocolate Sin and Madeleine's with lemon crème. Zia has very efficient helpers to assist her. Two charming little girls. Guess it's never too early to start them on a great career!

The Wine Appreciation class by Tanya Garnham of United Breweries had a full house, like all others. Tanya presented with great finesse, the various aspects that go into making wine what it is.

In addition to all the cookery demos, the talks and workshops that created a buzz were conducted by Naini Setalvad – Diet and Nutrition, Meher Heroyce Moos – Travel and Unusual Foods, Pinky Reddy – How to throw that Perfect Party and Farzana Behram Contractor - Celebrating the Good Life.