Unveiling Chettinad Cuisine: A Taste of Its Mercantile Heritage

Swift Summary:

• The article describes a food-filled journey in Chettinad, Tamil Nadu, focused on the community’s history, cuisine, and culture.
• “Suvai,” a three-day festival celebrating Chettinad cuisine, was organized by The Lotus Palace Chettinad alongside key properties such as The Bangala, Visalam, Chidambara Vilas, and Chettinadu mansion.
• Highlights included meals curated by renowned chefs Niyati Rao and Ashutosh nerlekar blending conventional and modern dishes like almond soup with gundu milagai chillies and lamb brain venpongal.
• Historical insights about the wealthy merchant Chettiar community were shared during property tours. They are known for their trading legacy dating back to the 8th century.
• Unique snacks at Soundaram factory were demonstrated; items like murukus showcased traditional craftsmanship from a women-led enterprise.
• traditional feasts featured dishes such as banana flower ketti kuzhambu and chicken pepper masala served on banana leaves highlighting ingredient-driven cooking techniques of the region.
• Cultural activities involved antique market visits showcasing enamelware collected as dowries and high tea featuring black rice upma at these heritage properties.
• A historian-author session delved into frugal yet hospitable practices revealing aspects of sustainability embedded in their traditions.
• Burmese flavors inspired farewell lunch dishes reflecting intercultural gastronomic influences on Chettiars due to their trading history in Southeast Asia.

Images:
!1200/Vatthal.jpg”>Vatthals from Chettinad
!Soundaram snacks Muruku Mold
![Typical style House of Community Preserved Specialty ](https://IMAGE/Govindsummary