Chef Sandeep Pandit Pops Up at Shangri-La Bengaluru 

(Bengaluru, 15 May 2023) Renowned chef and MasterChef Australia contestant, Sandeep Pandit, is set to make a homecoming journey to his motherland through a food festival at HYPE and Ssaffron at Shangri-La Bengaluru this May. The festival will showcase Chef Pandit's journey back to Kashmir, his place of birth, from Australia, where he honed his culinary skills.

The pop-up will commence at HYPE with an Aussie barbecue from 19 to 28 May 2023, featuring Chef Pandit's take on Australian favourites. From 26 May until 4 June 2023, Ssaffron will host a Kashmiri Koshur Thaal and Ghar Atzchun Saal, where Chef Pandit will showcase his culinary expertise of Kashmiri Pandit cuisine with recipes passed on in the family.

The barbecue pop-up menu at HYPE will feature a live BBQ, shared plates and live counters including specials picked from his MasterChef Australia memories featuring Tandoori Lamb Chops, Whole In Shell Tiger Prawns, Smoked Masala Southern Red Lobster, Pulled Jackfruit

Tacos and Curry Leaf Wings, with a side of Chef’s signature George Chutney, named after the ex-MasterChef judge, George Colambaris. Cocktails fashioned by his Masterchef Australia creations including Spicy Kangaroo, Aussie Masala, Coastal Curry Crush, Spiced Ale Shandy and Zero-proof Lemon, Lime, Lemon & Bitters will be available at HYPE

The Kashmiri Koshur Thaal and Ghar Atzchun Saal at Ssaffron is a spread of delicacies from Kashmir. The Koshur Thaal which is a thali lunch will have specials like Koshur Mutton Roganjosh, Koshur Dum Aloo, Syun Kaliya, Tzchaman Kaliya, and a Phirni Brulee for dessert. The dinner menu will be an interactive buffet-on-the-table, sit down meal called Ghar Atzchun Saal that will feature the traditional Kashmiri Pandit delicacies like Kabargah, Nadur Monji, Kann Guchiya Pulav, Nadru Yakhni, Syun Kaliya, Shufta over Apple Custard and Kehwa to wrap up the meal.

Born in Kashmir in 1981, Chef Pandit grew up in a family where food took centre stage. From a young age, he developed an appreciation for traditional Kashmiri cuisine which sparked his interest in pursuing a career as a chef. Under the guidance of his mother, Santosh, he learned the essentials of cooking, paving the way for his stint at MasterChef Australia.

"Cooking is my passion, and I am thrilled to be a part of this festival that celebrates the journey back to my roots. It is an opportunity to showcase my love for traditional Kashmiri cuisine and the flavours of Australia that have influenced my cooking style. I am excited to share my story and my food with the diners at Shangri-La Bengaluru and I hope that they enjoy the experience as much as I have enjoyed creating it,”

Chef Sandeep Pandit.

At MasterChef Australia 2019, Chef Pandit showcased his talent and love for Indian cuisine. His dishes impressed the judges and earned him the title of the best Indian cook in the history of MasterChef Australia. Chef Pandit's signature dish, Lobster Masala, is considered one of the best dishes in the show's history.

The BBQ pop-up with crafted cocktails is available at HYPE on a la carte basis in the evenings from 5 p.m. onwards. Diners can enjoy delicious Kashmiri feast at Ssaffron for lunch and dinner starting at INR 1800 plus taxes per person.

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