HYDERABAD: It is a select gathering waiting for the magic to begin at Park Hyatt in Banjara Hills. No, it is not a session of tricks and gimmicks but magic in the hands of chef Chef Xiang Bin Li who is ready to share a secret of hand pulled noodles. With a smile on his face and a gentle demeanour, he takes out a lump of dough and places it on the table.
The gathering is intently watching as he stretches the dough like a rope and holds it with both the hands and twirls it. Now, he dabs some flour on the table and rolls the dough and begins the magic. He twirls, twists, turns and until thin noodles appear. As he proudly displays the noodles, there is a sense of relief and awe. “The dough has to be soft and one has to be careful, balance and exert equal pressure on both the hands otherwise, there is every chance of noodle breaking,” smiles Xiang.
He is the special guest at the Masters of Food and Wine 2015 to be held at Park Hyatt in Banjara Hills. The special feature of the event is that culinary delights of Italy and China will be presented here. Chef Giovanni Parrella, who represents south Italy points towards himself and says, “He (chef Xiang) was like me when he came. But after doing these noodles, he became thin like that,” The gathering burst into peals of laughter. Chef Xiang, who is from Sichuan has learnt the art of noodle making from his uncle. “I even taught it to my wife,” he says proudly. The Masters of Food and Wine event will also have a battle of sorts between Italian chefs who will be cooking specialities of north and south Italy.
