A Chef who excels in mergers

Chef Dildar Hussain was born and brought up in Bengaluru. He boarded the train of culinary experiences at a very young age of 18. This quickly led to an apprenticeship at Lalit Ashok in Bengaluru and Dildar's career has been advancing ever since. After spending 3 years working as a station chef under top toque Paul Lance, at Nina at One and Only- Dubai, Dildar’s hard work and dedication to the culinary arts landed him positions at East in London, Al Murooj Rotana in Dubai, Raagini in New Jersey, then Florida and Cruised the world on Carnival. He is gifted to create great food , by gaining vital kitchen experience in top International hotels, progressing all the while up the catering ladder.

Currently he is the Sous Chef at The Chancery Pavilion and in-charge of the newly re launched Indian Affair restaurant kitchen, where he has created an excellent set of menus that speak to the restaurant’s wide variety of clientele.

Chef Hussain says that everywhere he's been, has learned flavors and techniques to add to his culinary repertoire. He has a vast knowledge of Indian foods, but his menu today is mainly Indian fusion food. His love of spices have let him play imaginations and pallets of then PM of Great Britain , Mr. Tony Blair and late Ms. Benazir Bhutto while at the One and Only , Dubai.

From strong to mild Asian spices and neutralizing them with a touch of world cuisine, the gastronomy at the Indian Affair would be a health conscious individual’s delight. From the most succulent Galaouti Kababs, to the rarest Lobster Lucknowi Khorma, to the signature Phattar ka Gosht, Indian Affair would host the first rarest marriage between Indian and world cuisines which would be matched with the best wines of the cellar.

If you're wondering what goes on when opening a restaurant (let alone half a dozen) just imagine this—being responsible to pick up rare ingredients and spices around the world, creating menus, going to places you've never been, sometimes learning a new language, and getting very little sleep. But according to Chef Hussain, these experiences are a passion and more rewarding when people say “ I loved the food” .

Indian Affair would be ready to serve the food lovers of Bengaluru during the 2nd week January 2011.

Lifestyle beyond the streacheables.

How many of us go over board on or shopping spree with a supporting credit card !!!! Answer would be yes for ever 9 of 10 people in a shopping mall. Plastic money is not only a luxury now, but a necessity.

It all begins with a word called " Emergency". We certainly cant save for tomorrow, but at least we keep a borrowing bag ready when it comes for emergency. When this borrowing bag looks empty we slowly begin to fill it up with little necessities and then luxuries.

I have been having a credit card ever since I became legal to pay my taxes. Now I see that my daughter who is two years old enjoys carrying plastic "pesshaa" with her mother's picture on it instead of the real notes with Gandhi's face.

Personalisation of revenue.. can I call it so? But what we forget is that this personalisation comes at a very heavy price of at least 3% interest per month which is quite heavy on the heavy credit card usages.

With technologies overwhelmingly advancing, we also have fear of loosing this virtual money. After an incident that showed a use of good 2000 AED on my CC through fraud and hacking, I have become careful in using the same, but not stopped. This shows how dependant we get on the plastic money that has become the most important phase of our life.

I remember a TV show called " Rendezvous" hosted by Simi Garewal on Star. It was during the interview with one of rich barons of India , Mr. Anil Ambani, mentioning came on how much pocket money he gives his off springs. The instant reply came "nothing". For a moment, it was of shock as how such stinky rich personality can be so humble. Then came a immediate reply " I give them Credit Cards!!!"

During my work at the Chancery Hotels, a walk thought St. Marks road, would astonish me when all the kids at the Bishop Cottons' School would be hanging around the ATM's. When we were kids, I didn't even know how a bank looked.

If this virtual materialisation is good or bad, again depends on the flexibility the parents have to offer their children. However, just hope the smiles don't turn plastic as well.