Zaiqa-e-Dilli Food Festival: Fusion Of Heritage, Flavour

Old Delhi is the heart of the city, where one can find all the ancient and authentic tastes to relish. From papdi-chaat to paranthas, pav-bhaji to Mughlai delights, it is a foodie's paradise. To recreate the feel and taste of Old Delhi's charm, Hotel Crown Plaza - Mayur Vihar set up a mini-Chandni Chowk within the premises and named it Zaiqa-E-Dilli - a culinary journey into Old Delhi's rich gastronomic tapestry at Infinity.

The food festival, lasting until 29 February, brought in 'Khansamas' and street food 'khomchawalas' from Chandni Chowk to curate authentic flavours for patrons. The entry is jazzed up with flowers depicting Old Delhi's flower market. It includes a paanwala, parrot astrologer, khaari-bawali, board signs, road signs, Gauri Shankar Temple, Jain Temple, and mosque. The mini replica has everything you'd find in the original roadways.

The festival's motif - 'Dil Dehli Degh Dastarkhwan,' poetically encapsulates the spirit of Old Delhi, summoning the warmth and generosity synonymous with the walled city while celebrating the confluence of culinary traditions.

The choice of cuisine again depicts how deeply they went inside the streets of the ancient place to dig out the best taste. It starts with traditional welcome beverages: mohabbat-ka-sharbat - milk, rose flour, and rose petals add the shahi taste to this refreshing drink. After drenching in this perfectly sweet drink, the festival takes you to chai-ki-tappari, chole-kulche, rajma-chawal, aloo-tikki, golguppa and fruit kulle. Each dish transports you to the bustling lanes of Chandni Chowk.

When it comes to the streets of Chandni Chowk, one cannot miss the fiery kebabs. The flavored smoke easily entices anyone to savor its taste. The festival sets up a kebab station to tantalize taste buds. It boasts succulent delights such as seekh-kebabs, reshmi-kebabs, chikan malai kebabs, dastan-e-kumbh, pudina naz kebabs and more.

Indulge in the nostalgia of 'Paranthe Wali Gali' with its quintessential offerings and relish regal Mughlai delicacies such as mutton nalli nihari, chicken changezi, jahangiri quorma, Akbari fish, dal qureshi, machli begum bahar, dhingri shabnam paired with artisanal bread such as khameeri roti, baqarkhani, sheermal, roomali roti and halwa parantha.

Sweets are another attraction of this festival, featuring the best selections, including Daulat Ki Chaat, Zaffrani Rasmalai, Shahi Tukda, and more.

Pankaj Gupta, General Manager, says, "As we curate this culinary odyssey through the enchanting streets of Old Delhi, we are dedicated to crafting immersive experiences that captivate and engage our guests while preserving indigenous recipes and ingredients. From whimsical dining encounters to inventive twists on timeless classics, our Old Delhi food festival promises a culinary adventure like no other, inviting guests to savour the essence of our heritage while indulging in the flavours of the present."

Executive Chef Roushan adds, "Old Delhi's culinary journey is a tapestry woven through dynasties, communities, and generations. From the grand kitchens of Mughal emperors to the humble stalls of Punjabi immigrants, every dish tells a story of resilience, adaptation, and innovation. It's a living testament to the rich heritage of those who have called this bustling enclave home, each bite a delicious chapter in a culinary saga that spans generations."