Deena’s delicious India festival appetiser
‘MasterChef’ winner does his guests proud
WHITE, green and orange — the colours of the Indian flag — were splashed around Montecasino this week in celebration of the Shades of India festival.
In the run-up to the festival, which starts on Friday and ends on Sunday, Montecasino and Tsogo Sun hosted a feast of food from north and south India prepared by MasterChef South Africa winner Deena Naidoo — and the spread was worthy of royalty.
Guests made their way to Naidoo’s popular Aarya restaurant — which he named after his daughter — to find out what to expect at the festival.
Shades of India “ambassador” Shalandra Bunseelal welcomed the guests, who were guided inside the casino for a “big surprise”.
A stage had been set up in the foyer of the casino and members of the Sitaare Dance Academy delighted guests with an energetic Bollywood dance performance.
During the show we chatted to Miss India South Africa Shivani Govender, who has just completed her honours degree in chemical engineering and was ecstatic to have landed a job in the corporate world of banking.
By then guests had worked up an appetite and were ready to feast.
Naidoo said he had prepared a special menu to showcase the taste of South African Indian food — made popular by local Indians in Durban.
His starter menu included tandoori prawns served on a bed of green salad and tofu.
Naidoo’s mains included his trademark butter chicken curry as well as a fish curry and a prawn curry. There was also a delicious soya fish curry and paneer, served with roti and rice.
To round off a perfect meal, we had a rich and decadent soji with cream for dessert.
The simple and humble chef outdid himself — his guests couldn’t help taking pictures of his masterpieces and posting them on social network sites.
It was a wonderful afternoon spent in good company with great food.
Naidoo’s dishes are sure to give the Shades of India festival — which promises a culinary feast from all parts of India — a run for its money.