Page 22 - UpperCrust e-Magazine Third Quarter 2024

STARTERS

India’s First Pasta Champion Eyes Asia

Pasta lovers were thrilled with the first
ever championships held at The St.
Regis Mumbai, organised by Barilla, the
top quality Italian pasta and pasta sauce
brand. Pasta Championship Asia 2024
saw six final contestant chefs from across
the country toss to the best of their ability
with Barilla ingredients and more to wow
the judges and take home the coveted title.
Chef Naresh Hari from The Ritz-
Carlton, Bangalore clinched victory with
his flavourful dish, Spaghetti Uovo with
Smoked Prosciutto Mousse, Parmesan Chive Chef Naresh Hari, Pasta Champion with the Barilla team & judges
Foam and Crisp Green Leeks. The modern
interpretation was inspired by the classic Luigi Cascone, Deputy Consul General of winner gets a tour of Parma among
carbonara, and judges, inclusive of Chef Italy in Bombay, were impressed. other prestigious decorations that come
Andrea, Barilla Executive Chef Asia Pacific; As India’s representative, Chef with the championship title. Parma, the
Chef Swarup Solgaonkar, Corporate Chef Naresh will advance to the Grand Finals place where Barilla originated from, was
of McDonald’s India; Chef Yogesh Utekar, in Manila in October, where he will founded by Pietro Barilla, who opened a
Principal of Ramanath Payyade College compete against winners from seven bakery there in 1877. Today, Barilla is a
of Hospitality Management Studies; and other countries in the Asia region. The leader in all things pasta, the world over!

An Indian Bartender Packs in a Punch

As bartenders were busy shaking up seasonal very own Versova boy, Altamash Gaziyani, and music lover, with an undergraduate
ingredients to present just the cocktail you of Puritan & Company, Cambridge, MA, degree from Culinary Institute of America
need to liven up your night, the Punch team has been featured. What an honour, to be and a MLA in Gastronomy from Boston
were scrutinising 20 finalists for Best New the first Indian in this league in the world University, focused on alcohol and cultural
Bartenders 2024! Among the Top 20, our of bartending! The 28-year-old is a food anthropology. He’s putting his skills to great
use now, as is evident from this achievement
Altamash Gaziyani of Puritan & Company thus far. Altamash will now take over as bar
manager at the new First Street Market and
has successfully launched Versova Social, a
pop-up celebrating South Asian flavours.
Punch, the acclaimed media brand in
NYC, is dedicated to drinks and the culture
of drinking. Six years ago, they decided it
was time the people behind these drinks
be brought to the fore and given their
due. So, what began as the Bartender in
Residence programme is today a platform
to recognise and felicitate the star
bartenders, newcomers, in the business.
Punch has rightly recognised Altamash,
and the regulars at Puritan leave with a
smile on their face thanks to him. Mission
accomplished!

20 | UPPERCRUST | JUL-SEP 2024