ELLE Gourmet India: Here's What Went Down At The Official Launch

It was an evening of good food, flowing wine, and great company as ELLE Gourmet made its official debut at Ekaa, Mumbai. With around thirty chefs, food lovers and industry insiders gathered, the night set the tone for a publication that promises to celebrate food not just as sustenance, but as culture, creativity and joy. 

Ushering In A New Era For The Culinary Realm In India

With attendees like Saransh Goila, Aneesh Bhasin, Chef Varun Totlani,  Aditi and Aditya Dugar, and Gauri Devidayal, the evening opened with Ainee Nizami Ahmedi, Editor-in-Chief of ELLE and ELLE Gourmet India, warmly welcoming guests. Soon after, Smriti Sekhsaria, Marketing Director, Moët Hennessy India, took the floor, reflecting on the brand’s 40-year journey. As she spoke, glasses of their signature white wine, Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc, were poured, perfectly timed for the next courses. 

Chef Niyati Rao, the force behind Ekaa, then introduced two dishes specially crafted to complement Cloudy Bay’s hero wine – Sassoon (a brilliant take on coastal fried fish, reimagined with barramundi and flying fish roe) and Young Corn (reminiscent of beloved street snack butta, accompanied with a richness of fresh avocado). The remaining dishes were thoughtful and unexpected, from a toasted sourdough topped with cauliflower, almonds and Tomme de Bombai, to a playful twist on Mac & Cheese inspired by Home Alone’s Christmas dinner scene and juicy house-made sausages glazed with honey for a sweet finish. 

There was an interactive live counter as well, serving a vibrant tomato salad made with six heirloom varieties, kokum and culantro.

To the dulcet tones of the live music, the guests found themselves wrapped in lively conversations, while savouring mouth-watering dishes and refreshing drinks. Desserts continued the fun. From a lush chocolate mousse layered with aerated chocolate and soil, to a warm corn and ginger pudding, and a buttery gulkand financier, each bite was memorable. The final flourish? A nostalgic dessert counter where guests traded 50 paise coins for a whimsical rework of the classic chuski.

A night filled with flavour, stories and a sense of playfulness — the ELLE Gourmet launch was just the beginning of something truly exciting.