In a celebration of Tamil culture, the aroma of fragrant local spices mingled with the rhythmic beats of live music, setting the perfect ambience for the grand launch of Thalaivan Virunthu, a meticulously curated food festival. Renowned city chef K Damodaran took centre stage, presenting a 15-day extravaganza that pays homage to age-old recipes and forgotten ingredients, offering a delightful medley of seasonal produce and indulgent slow-cooked delicacies.
Thalaivan Virunthu, meaning “Feast Fit for a Leader,” is not just an event for culinary enthusiasts but a journey through time, as Chef Damodaran guides guests back to their roots, unravelling the flavours and techniques that define Tamil cuisine. The festival embodies the philosophy that “Food is medicine,” emphasizing the nourishing aspects of the dishes on offer.
Immersed in the culinary traditions of Tamil Nadu’s villages, Chef Damodaran has meticulously crafted each recipe, adding his personal touch to honour the heritage while infusing a contemporary twist.
A highlight of the festival is the tantalizing varamilagai chicken, where tender pieces of chicken are slow-cooked in a rich curry infused with dried red chillies, resulting in a symphony of flavours.
The multi-course buffet spread beckons diners to embark on a gastronomic adventure. Traditional curries such as meen kozhambu, a tangy fish curry; chicken chinthamani, a succulent chicken preparation; Athangudi Kari chops, fragrant lamb chops; maa inji paruppu urundai kozhambu, flavorful lentil balls in a tangy gravy; and vethalai rasam, a refreshing soup made with betel leaves, offer a diverse range of tastes and textures.
No grand feast is complete without desserts, and Thalaivan Virunthu does not disappoint. Indulge your sweet tooth with delightful creations such as litchi elaneer payasam, a creamy pudding made with litchi and tender coconut; kavuni arisi karupatti halwa, a rich black rice and palm jaggery halwa; and ragi simili urundai, wholesome finger millet and jaggery balls.
Beyond the delectable flavours, Chef Damodaran’s mission is to document and preserve the time-honoured recipes that have been cherished by Tamil families for generations. Thalaivan Virunthu serves as a platform to showcase these culinary treasures, ensuring they are not lost to the sands of time.
Thalaivan Virunthu will continue to enchant food aficionados until July 9. The dinner buffet, priced at ₹2,300 per person, is available from 7:30 pm to 11:00 pm at the Grand Chennai by GRT Hotels, located on Sir Thyagaraya Road in T Nagar. Embark on this gastronomic journey and immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of Tamil cuisine, where flavours come alive and tradition