Mumbai on a platter

Epicurus himself would have rejoiced at the spread on Sunday night. For it was the Oscars of the food world, The Times Food & Nightlife Awards 2008-09, held at ITC Grand Central, Parel, who were the hospitality partners. And it was a buffet for the five senses indeed! Here���s why...
Sight, because the star-studded gathering featured, among many others, Salman Khan, Ajay Devgan and Kajol, and the lovely Kareena Kapoor - who opened the proceedings, John Abraham, Imran Khan and Subhash Ghai, who all gave away the main awards of the evening.Hearing, because good food and drink was the main topic of conversation that night. Touch, as after the awards, everyone had their hands busy and helping themselves to the smorgasbord of delicacies, ranging from Goan to Sushi served up by 30 of the best restaurants in Mumbai. Smell, because the nip in the night air was delicately spiced with the aroma of fine cuisine. And lastly, Taste, which in a word summed up an evening of great taste!
But before the revelry began, there were 41 awards to be given away. Author of the The Times Food & Nightlife Guides Rashmi Uday Singh thanked Times Group MD Vineet Jain for the entire event and also the people who graced the occasion. Comedian and master of ceremonies Vir Das kept the rib-ticklers coming, modifying the adage that the way to a man���s heart was through his stomach, adding that one should try ���further south!���
For Salman, it was ���more interesting than I thought��� while Subhash Ghai counted the evening as being ���an eye opener and an insight into the foodie world���. Chinese food, he said, is his favourite, a taste he shares with the unbelievably trim Kareena Kapoor who also confessed (despite size zero) to a weakness for a hearty Manchurian every now and then. Some people have all the luck, and the great metabolism to go with it!
That done, it was time for the feasting to begin. Guests made their way to the bar - Seagram���s Blenders Pride was the main sponsor for the night, supported by Kingfisher Beer - and whetted their collective appetites under a starlit sky. For the wine ���n cheese set, there were plenty of choices, ranging from Edam to Emmental. For those who preferred heartier fare, the galouti and biryani were surefire hits, as was the Goan fried bombil and fish curry. The tarapori patia and patra ni machi sated the Parsi palate while the Khau Suey also proved popular.
And later, those with a sweet tooth found refuge in the sinfully delicious Fantasie Fine Chocolates and Bateel dates, both of whom were sponsors as was co-sponsor SugarFree & Nutralite. Indeed, with such a spread, there was something for everyone... After all, didn���t a wise man once say, variety is the spice of life!