Kerala has such a delightful mix of cuisines. Moplah, Syrian Christian, Travancore Hindu Brahmin. We had touched upon the Moplah in one of our past issues, but we always yearned to go back and bring the rest ot Kerala�s foods to you, which we have in this edition. Kerala in totality is an awesome place and each of its districts, cities, towns and tiny villages have a charm all of their own.

Cochin, for example, is so laid back, yet it is one of India�s busiest ports. It has a buzzing spice market, and houses the oldest and largest tea auction houses of the world � J Thomas & Co. Cochin also has one of India�s nicest hotels situated most strategically at the mouth of the river. Completely refurbished, the Taj Malabar offers a spectacular view of the harbour with the famous Chinese fishing nets in the distance and the whole length of quaint Dutch houses of Mattancherry and Fort Cochin just across. You can sit for hours at the Rice Boat Restaurant watching all the ferry activities, provided you have the time and the inclination to do nothing, just sit quietly and allow time to slip by.

But team UpperCrust did not have that luxury, there was work to be done. Turn to the Gourmet Destination pages and savour for yourself! And remember the editor, meaning I, recommend very strongly that you plan your next holiday in the sun, basking at one of the idyllic resorts at Kumarakkom. This area is called the Venice of the East, they should now call it the new Lake District of Kerala. Coconut Lagoon has rooms with private plunge pools and hammocks on the very edge of the lapping waters.

It appears it was in my stars to meet my favourite astrologer. Yes, the same... Marjorie Orr. At a leisurely lunch (where else, but the Zodiac Grill) over Camembert Dariole, Foie Gras, New Zealand Lamb, Kahlua Mousse and a Cabernet Sauvignon from Australia, we discussed how people in different star signs look at food. It�s interesting the way planetary influences affect our eating habits.

Everyone likes people pictures. Well there are some special ones in Guest List, this time. The Afternoon Despatch and Courier, the newspaper �thinking� Bombay swears by, had a street party to commemorate 20 years of being. About 1,800 people turned up to wish the paper Happy Birthday. It�s one party that�s not going to be forgotten easily. There were 12 top restaurants of the city that put out their best fare, there was every conceivable street food, there was even a Jazz Band in attendance. And there were people you don�t normally see walking on the street, dancing in Nanabhai Lane where Afternoon House is situated. It rocked!

Then you have the UpperCrust do. Completing 5 years in today�s media world is no mean achievement. It was jubilation time. And the venue was The Blue Sea. Very New Yorkish, it is the most happening party place in town. Bombay�s beautiful people, all UpperCrust readers turned up to celebrate and were truly in good form... the dancing went on till the wee hours.

Truly memorable.

Farzana Contractor