Latest news with #ITCGrandChola
The Hindu
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Did you spot Chennai's Avartana in Ed Sheeran's latest music video, Sapphire?
You could not have missed Ed Sheeran's tall chef's hat in his latest music video, 'Sapphire', set in India. While Ed beams cheerfully from under the hat in the ITC Grand Chola's Avartana kitchen for only for a few seconds, Chef Mayank Kulshrestha, area executive chef, Southern Region, ITC Hotels, who was in the kitchen when Ed shot the video, said the performer spent an hour with the team, curious to learn how their menu came together. 'He flipped some coin parottas and tried his hand at sautéing and steaming,' says Mayank, adding 'He tried the lobster, fish, and Uthukuli butter chicken.' Mere months after his six- city India tour, Ed Sheeran released 'Sapphire' (part of his new upcoming album Play) in collaboration with Indian singer Arijit Singh. The song was just picking up momentum and finding its spot on trending charts when Ed dropped a music video that surprised the country. It featured actor Shah Rukh Khan, Arijit, and snippets from Ed's tour across India. The video, which is light, vibrant and fun, has over 2 million views and counting. Ed stayed at the ITC Grand Chola during his two-day visit to the city and dined at Avartana on both days. Avartana, the hotel's Southern Indian restaurant, has garnered numerous awards, including rankings of number 30 and 44 on Asia's 50 Best Restaurants in 2023 and 2024. During the tour, Ed played tourist whenever he could, riding in autos, getting massages, sightseeing, and sampling local food. 'This is kind of a selfish trip for me because I came here to be a tourist and spent the last two days just going around the city,' he had said during his Chennai show which saw a footfall of approximately 50,000. 'He was a very curious person, and anything creative requires curiosity and enthusiasm. He was very lively and said he didn't want to disturb us. Ed told me this was for a music video and asked us to just keep operating as usual. So we were preparing for the evening shift, and all the stations were busy,' says Mayank. 'He loved our triple-distilled rasam and joked about how he could write a song just for this,' says Shaariq Akhtar, general manager, ITC Grand Chola. To welcome him to the Karikalan Chola presidential suite at ITC Grand Chola, the team built a miniature replica of Portman Road Stadium in chocolate. This is the home of the Ipswich Town Football Club. 'Ed Sheeran is a huge football fan, and he supports Ipswich Town. He was thrilled because other hotels he stays at usually focus on him and his music, but this is an interest I share with him, so he loved that,' adds Shaariq. Another moment from Ed's stay at ITC Grand Chola, which also features in the music video, was one of him getting a true street-style head massage from A Sandeep, a long-time member of the 85-year-old Kerala Hair Dressers in Pondy Bazaar. 'He got the massage on the roof of the presidential suite,' beamed Shaariq. As for that tall chef's hat? Ed autographed it, and gave it to Chef Mayank. So now the chefs can blare Sapphire and dance to 'Don't you end the party, I could do this all week' the next time they make parottas and Uthukuli butter chicken. Ed Sheeran's eighth studio Play will release on September 12, 2025
Hans India
18-05-2025
- Hans India
Resorts for you to explore this summer where every drop counts
This summer, let's explore vacation spots and resorts that offer peace and relaxation while also taking care of the planet. Here are 5 resorts that I would call 'eco-resorts', because while they provide a quiet break from everyday life, they have also adopted some amazing water conservation efforts. Evolve Back Kabini Nestled between Nagarhole and Bandipur National Parks, Evolve Back Kabini is located near the riverside, surrounded by nature and wildlife. The resort follows some strict water conservation practices, where it collects rainwater through rooftop systems and ponds, recycles all wastewater through treatment plants for use in gardening, and uses in-room water purifiers instead of plastic bottles, saving over 150,000 bottles every year, allowing guests to enjoy purified water sustainably while helping reduce plastic pollution helping the sustaible enviorment of the resort. The Oberoi Vanyavilas Wildlife Resort, Ranthambhore Located in Sawai Madhopur, next to the famous Ranthambhore National Park, The Oberoi Vanyavilas offers a luxurious stay with a strong commitment to the environment. The resort collects around 1.6 million litres of rainwater each season through specially designed lakes, which also attract over 135 bird species. It uses a sewage treatment plant to recycle water for garden irrigation, reducing the need for groundwater. The rooms feature water-saving taps, showerheads, and toilets, and guests are encouraged to use water mindfully. Native trees and grasses across the property help recharge the water table naturally. Ananda in the Himalayas, Uttarakhand Ananda in the Himalayas, nestled in the serene Himalayan foothills, is committed to water conservation through various initiatives, which encourage reduced usage and improve water sourcing using advanced technologies. The resort has also cut down its tanker trips, thereby reducing its carbon footprint. Other measures include a water bottling plant with reusable glass bottles, saving 350 plastic bottles daily, and a zero waste water policy that ensures recycled water is used for gardening through drip irrigation and sprinklers. SwaSwara Gokarna, CGH Earth SwaSwara is located on Om beach along the Konkan coast in Gokarna. At SwaSwara by CGH Earth, water conservation is a top priority. The resort harvests up to 18 million litres of rainwater each monsoon through three large reservoirs, meeting all its water needs, including purified drinking water. Wastewater is treated and reused for gardening, reducing pressure on local water sources. Reflecting CGH Earth's commitment to sustainability, similar rainwater harvesting systems are set up across its properties and even in local schools, supporting communities and promoting responsible tourism. ITC Grand Chola, Chennai ITC Grand Chola, located in Chennai, India, has taken great steps in saving hotel uses water-efficient fixtures that cut down water use by about 35% compared to regular standards. It also treats all its wastewater on-site and reuses it for things like irrigation, flushing, and cooling systems. This not only reduces the hotel's water usage but also helps conserve freshwater, benefiting the local environment. Whether through rainwater collection, plastic-free drinking solutions, or the reuse of wastewater, these resorts demonstrate that responsible tourism is not about compromise. It is about thoughtful innovation. This summer, choose destinations that honour the land, respect its water, and quietly set an example for what sustainable hospitality can be.
NDTV
12-05-2025
- NDTV
7 Pan-Asian Restaurants In Chennai That Deserve A Spot On Your Food Map
Quick Reads Summary is AI generated, newsroom reviewed. Chennai's Asian food scene has transformed into a culinary obsession. The city now hosts a vibrant expat community and food-loving locals. These restaurants are elevating street food into fine dining experiences. Chennai's love for Asian food has evolved from a passing trend into a full-blown obsession. With a growing expat community and a new generation of food lovers craving everything from sushi and Korean BBQ to Thai curries and dim sum, the city is now a major destination for Pan-Asian cuisine in India. Restaurants across Chennai are offering bold new flavours, with street-style dishes being elevated into fine-dining experiences. If you are looking for the best Pan-Asian restaurants, whether for sushi, Thai food, or Chinese specialities, Chennai has it all. From Sushi To Thai Curries, These 7 Pan-asian Restaurants Are Defining How Chennai Eats Right Now: 1. Zhouyu One of the finest Asian restaurants to debut in Chennai, the all-new Zhouyu on East Coast Road is also one of the most visually stunning dining spaces in the city. The menu features bold, authentic flavours from China (primarily Sichuan, Hunan and Cantonese) and includes signature dishes from across Southeast Asia. Zhouyu ditches the predictable red-and-gold aesthetic seen in many Chinese restaurants in favour of cool splashes of blue. Their stewed duck, wontons in chilli oil, and Treasure Prawns are unmissable. What truly stands out is the attention to detail - from the plating to the spice balance - that makes Zhouyu worth the drive. Where: ECR, Injambakkam 2. Soy Soi Soy Soi brings some of the best dishes from Asia's bustling food streets into an elegant setting. The restaurant recently updated its interiors and overhauled its menu as part of a broader revamp. The culinary team has travelled extensively across Asia, learning from hawker stalls and local street kitchens, to serve bold, authentic flavours. The new dishes include Wild Mushroom Gyoza, Tuna Tataki, Karipap, and an excellent range of grilled dishes, including our top pick - Lamb Dengaku. The dining room is stylish, with a few intimate private dining nooks. Where: Gandhi Mandapam Road, Kotturpuram 3. Pan Asian, ITC Grand Chola Spanning 8,500 square feet, the Asian restaurant at ITC Grand Chola is one of the largest of its kind in any Indian luxury hotel. A dramatic 'Temptation Walk' leads guests into this two-level space, complete with a glass-walled display kitchen where chefs are constantly at work. The Japanese section is particularly impressive, offering expertly prepared sashimi using ingredients flown in from Japan. The attention to quality ingredients and presentation sets the tone for a fine dining experience. Where: ITC Grand Chola, Mount Road 4. YouMee The Japanese manga-inspired interiors set the mood at YouMee, a high-energy Pan-Asian restaurant located in one of Chennai's top retail and entertainment centres. The decor uses a fun palette of black, white, red and natural wood, keeping things vibrant without going overboard. The menu balances traditional favourites with contemporary flair, covering Thai, Japanese and Chinese cuisine. Standout dishes include the tempura-fried asparagus, Kung Pao chicken, spicy Thai curries, and Miso Shiro soup. Where: Express Avenue Mall 5. Asian Katha In an age where many restaurants prioritise Instagram over flavour, Asian Katha is refreshingly food-first. Tucked into a convenient location in Chennai's Central Business District, this Pan-Asian spot offers a comfort-focused menu. Expect sushi rolls (the maki is a must-try), dim sums, and deeply satisfying Asian curries. The restaurant keeps things dynamic by introducing pop-ups inspired by different parts of Southeast Asia. Where: Nungambakkam High Road 6. Pa Pa Ya This modern Asian bistro and tapas bar has built a loyal following in Chennai for its dim sums and desserts. Pa Pa Ya continues the formula that has worked across India - blending Asian cooking techniques with a modern presentation. Popular items include stir-fried lotus stems, cream cheese dim sums, and the addictive rock shrimp tempura. Expect crowd-pleasers with an edge. Where: Nungambakkam High Road 7. Nasi and Mee The original Nasi and Mee on Khader Nawaz Khan Road gives off a casual, bustling Asian canteen feel. The newer outpost at Holiday Inn on OMR opts for a more laid-back, lounge-like atmosphere. Inspired by Singapore's Jurong Bird Park and Southeast Asian street decor, this space blends whimsy with comfort. The menu includes a strong line-up of Malay and Indonesian plates, complemented by well-made sushi rolls. Do not miss the soupy dumplings and their take on Nasi Goreng; pair it with their signature Iced Milo.
The Hindu
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Taste Idukki with Chennai's Yura gelato by ITC Grand Chola
Brightly lit and thoughtfully designed, ITC Grand Chola's gelato bar, named Yura – Artisanal Scoops, is inspired by the Japanese word that literally means 'beautiful dream', and offers an imaginative selection of gelatos, frozen yoghurt, sugar-free options and sorbets. Pastry chefs at ITC Grand Chola, Chef Sridhar Manickam and Chef Deepthi Joji who curated the menu, explain that the 10 flavours were the result of extensive experimentation, trial and error. 'We wanted to create desserts that resonate with all age groups, including international guests,' says Chef Deepthi, adding that they will be launching softies next. To support this vision, ITC has brought in state-of-the-art equipment from Italy. 'The stages of pasteurisation, mixing, homogenisation and ageing, are completely automated and precisely controlled. We take great care to ensure we use only the best ingredients, while consciously supporting local produce wherever possible. For example, in our Idukki vanilla flavour, the vanilla is directly sourced from farmers in the Idukki region of Kerala,' says Chef Sridhar. Yura's current offering includes Alphonso mango sorbet, French raspberry sorbet, blueberry yogurt, filter kaapi, miso caramel, chocolate (64% dark), Idukki vanilla gold, cookie and toffee, saffron and apricot and Sicilian pistachio. The sugar-free category features vanilla and chocolate. 'We have adapted the Japanese miso flavour, which traditionally uses fermented soy bean and ensured the salty flavour lends itself well to the gelato texture and taste. Blueberries are slow-cooked for over three hours before they go into our yoghurt. All our gelatos are vegetarian and we do not use additives or preservatives,' says Chef Sridhar. After sampling the range, cookie and toffee emerged as the personal favourite, instantly evoking a sense of childhood nostalgia. A close second was the saffron and apricot, which delivered a rich and wholesome experience, and the filter coffee which carried a warm, familiar appeal. Among the sorbets, the mango stood out with its bright, refreshing flavour. Yura – Artisanal Scoops is at ITC Grand Chola, Guindy. Call on 9840486009. The range of artisanal gelatos and sorbets are available for dine-in, takeaway, and delivery via Swiggy and Zomato.
