Bigger, better and bolder than ever before, India’s Int’l Chefs Day programme for 2023 got underway at the India International Hospitality Expo (02-05 August).
The design of the Chefs Day stall caught the eye of many. The logo was a six-foot blow-up flanked with supersize photos of Chefs DMello and Parvinder Bali, each on their preferred modes of transport; the former on his motorcycle, the later on his cycle. Emblazoned over everything in the largest size possible was our motto: EVERY CHEF MATTERS.
It was also what was in the stall that drew the crowds in. The launch specifically was to promote the central focus of India’s programme; the Chefs Ride 2023, an awareness-focussed motorcycle ride by chefs & hoteliers over 5000 kms from its southern most town to its northernmost town, starting on 1st September, 2023. Chef DMello’s personal motorcycle that he’ll be using on ride and four high-performance cycles from Chef Bali who led the amazing Chefs 100 100 cycle ride around Delhi-NCR were placed in the stall for all to view and event sit upon. Often, the motorcycle’s 350 cc engine was started for video requests, its bass exhaust notes reverberating across the expo.
Chefs 100 100
This was a 100 km cycle on 5th August, in ride in rain conditions across Delhi-NCR by the city’s hospitality sector and avid cyclists. It was led by Chef Bali, corporate chef (L&D) at the Oberoi Hotels & Resorts. He is an avid cyclist, having picked up the hobby a few years ago, yet traversing in excess of 40,000 kms in just four years. Hospitality students from the city’s top campuses joined at various stages along the 100 km route.
The on-road logistics were beautifully managed by professor Abdullah Ahmed and his faculty-student team of the IIHM New Delhi, a well-regarded hospitality management campus. The ride began before daybreak amid a downpour and traversed across the city, stopping at the India Gate by dawn and The Leela Palace New Delhi for breakfast before reaching the expo venue at noon in dry, hot and humid conditions. The über luxury hotel’s general manager Anupam Dasgupta and executive chef Karan Thakur put on a large breakfast buffet of fresh fruit, European bread, pastry and fresh beverage, certainly a ride highlight for the riders, eager to get out of the harsh sun.
Chefs Day in India is known for high decibel activities to enhance awareness of the larger community goals. As was the case of completing the 100 km ride inside the expo venue. While the majority of riders stopped in the venue foyer and proceeded to breakfast, a team of seven rode their bikes among the 350 stalls inside the five large expo halls for a short while, interacting with the industry visitors enroute and completing the ride at the Chefs Day stall. This small group had Chef Bali joined by four other cyclists, Dr. AK Bansal, Dhronacharya Award recipient and former coach of India’s hockey team as well the expo president, Mr. Hari Dadoo. It was led by Chef Alan himself on his motorcycle clearing the way with the crowd’s cheers and the motorcycle’s deep basal thumps.
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