What’s happening in Mumbai’s hotels? A peek into the party circuit and events in the city… By Marcellus Baptista
Theme spirit
Hollywood came to town as the US Consulate General Mumbai celebrated the 239th anniversary of US Independence at Taj Lands End. Guest of honour Amitabh Bachchan and chief guest Sumit Mullick, Maharashtra additional chief secretary and chief protocol officer, joined US Consul General in Mumbai Tom Vajda at this Hollywood-themed night. The talk was that US-India relationship will thrive based on the strong people-to-people ties and shared values. The talk was also on cinema that has always been a great integrator of communities with the box-office not discriminating based on caste, creed or colour. The ceremony featured a Colour Guard presentation by the US Marines in honour of Independence Day, followed by the Indian and US National Anthems. Guests were offered a red carpet entrance to the venue in keeping with the theme. Music by the band Flypsyde put everyone in the mood as did the many bars with Gentlemen Jack from the Jack Daniel’s stable and Hollywood-inspired Skyy vodka cocktails. Of course, there were a variety of food stations, too.
India alive!
It was Indian cuisine that was celebrated at China House at the launch of young chef Saransh Goila’s debut book ‘India on my Platter’ with celebrity chef Sanjeev Kapoor and Ranveer Brar in attendance as also famous foodies like Kunal Vijaykar, Maria Goretti and Rashmi Uday Singh. It turned out to be an interesting interactive session moderated by bestselling author Kiran Manral. You heard of the combo of travel stories, recipes, food tales and Saransh Goila’s adventurous experiences around the country in this book that captures the exciting experience in 60 cities during 100 days. Skyy vodka cocktails and hors d’oeuvres from China House completed the picture.
Craft cheer
The beer cheer was on at the launch of Independence Brewing Co. at Woodside All Day Bar & Eatery. Artisanal premium craft beers including Belgian Wit made of pilsner, wheat malts and oats, Four Grain Saison prepared with four different grains: barley, wheat, rye and oats and Rye Pale Ale comprising a generous dose of rye malt were enjoyed. The launch party at the outlet in Andheri, hosted by Woodside co-owners Pankil Shah and Sumit Gumbir and Independence Brewing Co. owner Shailendra Bisht, was attended by a number of influencers from the F&B industry like owners of Bonobo, The Barking Deer, Brewbot, Bombay Canteen and Café Nemo.
Fashion passion
You know when the stylish Palladium Hotel is getting more fashionable when another season of the Lakmé Fashion Week kicks off. This is pronounced at the model audition that sets the ball rolling. This time there were over 140 aspiring models who participated in the prestigious Lakmé Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2015 model audition at Anais and Exo. After three competitive rounds, the jury comprising top model Sarah Jane Dias, fashion designer Neeta Lulla, fashion choreographer Anu Ahuja, Saket Dhankar, VP and head-fashion, IMG Reliance and Purnima Lamba, head of innovations, Lakmé finally selected six girls, Ashanti Singh, Shreya Chaudhry, Madhu Sneha, Ivana Pesovic, Alice Rosario and Jasmeen Johal, who would be seen on the catwalk along with other established models.
