The city - sliced, diced and served with a dash of sauce
Pic/Nimesh Dave
The real chef’s table at Akerkar’s book launch
Rahul Akerkar’s book, Biting Off More Than I Can Chew (HarperCollins India) launched at Flint, NCPA on Wednesday was literally a mini-Indigo reunion. Family, loyal customers-turned-friends, and chefs associated with his career since the 1990s were present to cheer and take jibes too!
(From left) Atul Kasbekar, Rahul Akerkar, and Aryaman Birla at the book launch. Pics/Special Arrangement
His OG chef gang was in attendance: the elusive chef Nitin Kulkarni, who worked with him at Indigo, and chef Irfan Pabaney, from his days at Under the Over and later, Indigo. Chef Mukhtar Qureshi, who worked alongside him at his catering arm Moveable Feast, and now master chef at Waarsa, Neel, who is chef partner at Waarsa, and Jaydeep Mukherjee, who jammed with Akerkar at Indigo Deli, and heads Flint, were also spotted.
His 95-year-old mother, fondly called Jinx, read an excerpt from a chapter she had contributed in the book. Daughters Amalia and Shaan read a few sections too. Akerkar read an extract from the time he spent with his Aji (father’s mother) in Nashik; suggesting how the food influenced his cooking the most.
Chefs Mukhtar Qureshi and Nitin Kulkarni
Over martinis, his childhood buddy Atul Kasbekar indulged the audience in a light-hearted Q&A. Stories and anecdotes included Akerkar getting Vijay Mallya to fly down a selection of meats for a bash; evolving palates and quirky guest requests. Akerkar, at his nonchalant, honest best, recalled the ups and downs, often ending his experiences with his life mantra: “Life happens.”
Chef Irfan Pabaney
Akerkar, who today is culinary director at Aditya Birla New Age Hospitality (ABNAH), invited Aryaman Birla (newly appointed RCB chairman) to unveil the book at the event. The chef who gave Mumbai its first real taste of European cuisine in the ’90s, always ensured the good times rolled. Even with the book, he dished out a delicious serving peppered with nostalgia and inspiration in every page. We are already a few chapters down!
Rolling the dice on Mumbai
Designed on spun Khadi, the game also features Mumbai landmarks
Ahead of World Heritage Day (April 18), the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) Mumbai chapter will launch a board game that captures the hustle and buzz of Mumbai.
“We were ideating on ways to encourage members of all ages to be involved in the heritage of the city, and that’s how the idea of designing a game along snakes and ladders emerged,” shared Rajul Dhaimade (left) co-convenor. Designed in collaboration with convenor, Katyayani Agarwal (below), the game titled Flyovers and Potholes will be launched on April 12.
Maharashtra sweeps META awards
Jay Shah, Amol Palekar, and Sanjoy K Roy (right) Dusha with Rajit Kapur. Pics Courtesy/META
Delhi might boast of the best drama schools, but it was all Maharashtra at the recently concluded META 2026 awards. The awards concluded on March 25 with productions from the state taking home awards for Best Production, Best Original Script, Best Actor in Supporting Role for Sahil Ahuja (Mithyasur), Best Actor in A Lead Role (Dusha, Something Like Truth), Best Sound and Music Design (Kaizad Gherda, Chandani Raatein), and Best Costume Design (Ashish Deshpande, Karunashtake).
Veteran Amol Palekar received the META Lifetime Achievement Award. “This year’s festival showcased a diverse spectrum of stories and voices from across the country, underlining theatre’s ability to provoke thought, foster empathy, and spark meaningful dialogue,” shared Jay Shah, vice president, head, cultural outreach, Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd.
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