By Seema Dhawan
A Culinary Journey with Chef Sonal Naik Nimbalkar Mahurkar at Shangri-La Eros New Delhi
I recently had the pleasure of experiencing a unique culinary adventure curated by Chef Sonal Naik Nimbalkar Mahurkar, a descendant of Wathar Nimbalkar family of Phaltan at Tamra, Shangri-La Eros New Delhi, in association with Chef Pin. This family is steeped in history, with Sai Bai, the first wife of the legendary 17th-century Maratha Emperor Shivaji, hailing from Phaltan. Chef Sonal’s deep connection to Maratha cuisine is palpable, and she brought this rich heritage to the capital, collaborating with Chef Pin to showcase the royal culinary traditions of Maharashtra.
Shangri-La Eros New Delhi welcomed me to explore and enjoy the true, soulful flavors of Maratha cuisine.
As a vegetarian, I was thrilled by the flavors of sol curry and enjoyed an array of chutneys like Lehsun Khobra Chutney, made with garlic and coconut; Thecha Green Chilli Chutney; and Shengdana Chutney, crafted from peanuts along with sweet and salty Amti Dal, and Matki Usal, made from sprouts and Rabri.
For non-vegetarian options there were Bhakar Wala Mutton, Prawns in Kala Masala, and a Parsundi Kheema Dish. The mains were equally delightful, featuring dishes such as Tharachi Biryani in Garam Masala Marinade, the richness of Pandhara Rassa from Kolhapur, and delicious Sukkha Chicken.
Rediscovering Culinary Heritage
Maratha cuisine is truly something special, setting itself apart from everyday Maharashtrian dishes with its rich gravies, spice blends, and a generous touch of ghee. Chef Sonal shared that this culinary tradition is steeped in history, with recipes that have been lovingly passed down through noble families. One standout is the legendary chicken parsundi, a dish rooted in Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s era, perfected by the late Shrimant Arunaraje Bhonsle and continued by her daughter Ojaswita Raje Gaekwad. Moreover You can taste the Mughlai influence in Maratha food, a nod to the region’s history under the Nizams. Both cuisines share a love for rich, aromatic dishes, using ingredients like garam masala, cream, and khoya to create sumptuous meat dishes.
This exclusive event allowed me to explore forgotten royal recipes, rediscovered local delicacies, and rare flavors from Maharashtra’s culinary past. Whether you’re a connoisseur of Indian cuisine or simply someone who appreciates fine dining, the Chef Pin pop-up at Tamra offers a gateway to the rich and diverse food culture of the Maratha community. Chef Sonal’s dedication to preserving and evolving Maratha cuisine made this experience truly unforgettable, connecting me with a rich culinary heritage that spans centuries.
About Shangri-La:
Shangri-La, an iconic flagship brand of the Shangri-La Group, puts heartfelt service at the core of its distinctive Asian hospitality experience. Through imaginative and nature-inspired design, delightful culinary and cultural experiences, and its authentic and thoughtful service, the brand enables guests to realise their own moments of Shangri-La.
Today, the brand experience is brought to life in over 90 deluxe hotels and resorts at destinations around the world, including Australia, Canada, Mainland China, Hong Kong SAR and Taiwan, Fiji, France, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mongolia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, the Sultanate of Oman, Thailand, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom.
About Shangri-La Circle Built on the idea that life is meant to be fun, limitless, and full of possibilities, Shangri-La Circle is a contemporary Asian travel lifestyle platform offering members a world of enhanced benefits at every point of their journey at over 100 Shangri-La, Kerry, JEN by Shangri-La and Traders properties worldwide, along with the Group’s portfolio of restaurants, wellness facilities and family experiences.
About Chef Pin
Chef Pin is India’s leading platform for home chefs and home bakers operating across Delhi NCR, Bengaluru, and Mumbai and offers pre-order and same-day delivery. The app has been designed as a one-stop shop where diners can discover and order local, authentic, and home-cooked meals from hundreds of talented home chefs.
The home chef pop-up series is an opportunity for home chefs and expert chefs to showcase their delectable regional cuisine to a larger audience.
Chef Pin’s founders Mr. Rocky Mohan and Mr. Siddharth Mohan are experienced professionals who understand the business of food. They have created a stellar team that has nurtured successful businesses and culinary communities. Through Chef Pin, they are organizing the large and disjointed home chef market in India. The Chef Pin app is available to download on Apple iOS App Store and Google Playstore.
Instagram Handle: @Chefp.in
Facebook: @Chefp.in
Hashtag: #ChefPinPopUp
Website: www.chefp.in
