Times Food Guide 2011 event in Mumbai

New Year resolutions went flying out of the window at The Times Food Guide 2011 Awards as actors, models and socialites helped themselves to a deliciously vast spread
George Bernard Shaw famously said, “There is no sincerer love than the love of food.” The turnout at the Times Food Guide 2011 Awards was a loud testimony to that. It started even before the three colourful ratnas (the Times Food Guides) for 2011 were unveiled.Guests helped themselves to drinks and tried the starters that were uniquely presented – the fish cutlets nestled across a bowl invited gasps! Host Ash Chandler’s cue to the awaiting feast met with the quickest response. In a matter of minutes, the ballroom was empty and life had moved onto the beautifully bedecked Seaside Lawns.
Kabir Bedi, who came along with Parveen Dusanj, cut his birthday cake and grooved to Arabian tunes with belly dancers. Anil Dharker made it a night of restaurant hopping as he sampled food at all the stalls, praising and thanking each one who served him. Narendra Kumar Ahmed extolled the virtues of Jiggs Kalra’s Punjab Grill, making an exception to dine after his 9.30 deadline of normal nights. The tall and dusky Monikangana Dutta, who was rooting for Olive Bar and Kitchen, was fasting as there was a puja in her Kathak class! Handsome restaurateur couple Deepa and Dr Suhas Awchat chose to dine at stalls other than their own Goa Portuguesa and Diva Maharashtracha.
Kailash Surendranath didn’t miss wife Aarti, so busy was he putting away sushi. Dalip Tahil, who returns to theatre this season, already had fans disturbing his trysts with food. Arjan Bajwa and Bunty Grewal, who made a dashing duo, even shared a plate. While Rocky S and Yana ate desserts like there was no tomorrow. Television hottie Roshni Chopra expressed hunger pangs during the awards ceremony. And the talented Divya Dutta snacked on big chocolate bars for dessert. Singer and composer Shibani Kashyap skipped the ceremony but came in for the festivities. And while the spirits flowed and tables groaned, the clock struck 12 and R Madhavan walked in...