Chef Nachhater Singh brings Amritsari food festival to Mazzo Hyderabad

An Amritsari Food Pop-Up festival showcasing authentic Punjabi cuisine and traditional family recipes was hosted at Mazzo, Marriott Executive Apartments Hyderabad. Curated by Chef Nachhater Singh, a native of Amritsar, the culinary event brought the robust and traditional flavours of his home region to diners in Hyderabad through a specially curated menu.

The festival featured a menu rooted in family recipes, fresh ingredients, and culinary tradition. Chef Nachhater Singh emphasized that the dishes presented are authentic representations of the food he grew up with in Amritsar, including fish, Amritsari Chole-Kulche, and Chicken Amritsari.

The culinary experience began with Paya Ka Shorba, a rich and delicate soup made from slow-cooked trotters. The appetiser selection included Amritsari Fish, which is lightly battered and fried, and Lasooni Prawn, featuring bold garlic flavours. The tandoor menu offered Malai Chicken Tikka, Angara Murgh Tikka, Ajwani Paneer Tikka, and Hara Bhara Kabab.

Chef Nachhater explained that the authenticity of the dishes relies on fresh, home-style ingredients rather than ready-made spice blends. The kitchen utilized fresh onions, tomatoes, cumin, coriander powder, turmeric, desi ghee, mustard oil, and white butter to achieve traditional flavours.

For the main course, the festival offered robust Amritsari Chole paired with Aloo Wadi Amritsari. Other vegetarian options included Punjabi Kadhi Pakoda, Rajma Rasila, Paneer Makhan Wala, Masala Baingan, and Bhindi Do Pyaza. Non-vegetarian curries featured in the line-up were a robust Dhaba-style Mutton Curry and Lahori Chicken.

Accompaniments such as steamed rice and fragrant Wadi Pulao were served alongside the main dishes. The meal concluded with Ganne Ke Ras Ki Kheer, a traditional dessert prepared using sugarcane juice instead of refined sugar. According to Chef Nachhater, this specific kheer is traditionally prepared during the Lohri festival to be shared with family.