Indigo Deli organises three-day celebration for Christmas

Even as restaurants gear up for record business during the festive season, the cash registers at burger and fries major McDonald’s will be eerily silent through Chirstmas and New Year as all six outlets in the city have downed shutters.

While store managers said they had run out of stock after supplies ceased a week ago, industry sources believe it is fallout of the acrimonious battle between the American fast food giant and the estranged Indian joint venture partner Vikram Bakshi, who controls the restaurants in north and east India. The franchisee had earlier shut 43 outlets in Delhi and adjoining areas after the eating house’s licence expired.

In Kolkata, restaurants continued to function despite McDonald’s barring franchisee Connaught Plaza Restaurants Ltd (CPRL) from using the brand, trademark and other intellectual properties in September. McDonald’s also told its suppliers that it had cancelled the franchisee agreement but they had not stopped supplies as they had pacts with CPRL.

Manager of One restaurant said “We have a central kitchen in Delhi NCR and national vendors supply to us through a distributor. Nothing is sourced locally. At the restaurants, too, we maintain a stock in the refrigerator but that can last only a few days at most. We have now run out of all stock.”

One of McDonald’s Employee said “We have been told that supplies will resume in eight to 10 days but we don’t see how that will happen as one cannot just pick up any bun and any patty and put them together to claim it is a McDonald’s burger.”

Cake makers are feeling the pinch of demonetisation ahead of Christmas and New Year, their best season for sales.

While sale of cakes in most cities is down by about 10 percent from a year ago, it has slumped by 20 percent or more in semi urban and rural markets.

While increased payment through the electronic mode has cushioned bakers in cities, their counterparts in the smaller markets have had to resort to bringing out smaller packets to boost sales.

TR Raghulal, Managing Director, Elite Group, said, "As a result of reduced cash flow, the home budget has been impacted and sales are down by 10 percent. The size of cakes is shrinking. The earlier 1 kg has become 800 gm while 750 gm has become 600 gm."

Raghulal said the industry is trying to rev up interest through innovation.

He further added, "People are looking for variety. We have introduced novel varieties like pudding cake, jackfruit cake, etc., to stir up interest."

For instance, Mumbai based cake brand Monginis Food has come out with designer cakes.

Ayyappan K Swamy, Head of Marketing and Franchisee Operations, Monginis, said, "In cities the demonetisation impact was severe in the first two weeks but it has eased somewhat now. We are tying up with electronic payment companies and are educating dealers to encourage this mode of payment." 

LURM, a three-day festival of food, music, fashion, film, adventure, camping, beer and wine will be observed from 23-25 December at Sand Dunes, Jaisalmer. Spread across 34 acres of land, the place overtures more than 2000 camps to get hold of almost 13000 people.

Sushil Wadhwa, Founder and CEO, TheStoreHunt.com, "LURM is going to be India's first zero waste and biggest Desert Festival as it incorporates support from the elite institutions."

Wadhwa reckons that the Flea Market set up being marketed by TheStoreHunt.con could have a Christmas Market kind of a feel like they have in Germany during the month of December.

Pritesh Roy, Head of Piggy Bank Films is "proud to be mentoring the film festival which is sure to be different and worth."

Varun Bajaj, the food producer and corporate chef, Varun Bajaj said, "Lovely concept, United planned, Retrieved location, Magnificent offerings that is what LURM is all about. Making your Christmas a gala time with a place of adventure added with fun and garnished with an essence of culture of IndiaWine and Beer Festival Mentor – Archit Singhal affirms, "LURM Festival embodies the spirit of impossibilities."

Tushar Sharma, Founder said, "I am passionately driven by music which has given me a glimpse into every culture of the Earth. Thus to bind people from any background – LURM happened."

Milind Bharti, co – founder believes that "LURM is the most revolutionary excuse which somehow managed to bring the best professionals to initiate innovation in India."

Christmas is soon approaching followed by the new year and earlier it was all about good food especially baked food like cakes and pastries, now it has taken an elevation towards donuts.

Mad Over Donuts, one of the famous donut makers and sellers in the world are all set to launch their signature assorted range of donuts and beverages, designed especially for the Christmas season.

M.O.D. claims to be the 100 percent vegetarian donut maker, which is famed for its handmade dough and freshly added toppings.

Three new flavours, with very Christmas flavours and dashes of white, red and green, are available only for a limited period. Ginger Buddy is made from honey, milk chocolate ganache and ginger glaze, adding a spicy flavour to a sweet donut.

Christmas Tree Donut is the cutest donut you are going to bite into, with its Christmas Tree shape, silver white snow and a tinge of green.

Made from white chocolate and mixed spice buttercream, it is claims to be the flavour of the season!

The Strawberry Santa, made from milk chocolate ganache, rich white chocolate and strawberry jelly, reminds you of why we all love Santa so much!

The Hazelnut Latte and Hazelnut Frappe make for great accompaniments for the delicious donuts.

The Christmas special range of donuts and beverages will be available from December 5th 2016 to January 1st 2017 across Mad over Donuts stores in the country.

Ushering in the Christmas spirit, Chef Akhilesh Jha (Brand Chef Fresc Co) and Chef Sahil Mehta (Brand Chef The Artful Baker) co-hosted a fun cake-mixing ceremony at Fresc Co in Ambience Mall, Gurgaon.

Cake Mixing is traditionally done to celebrate the advent of Christmas and the start of winter festivities. It is also considered to be an usher for good tidings and happiness.

“Cake Mixing is an age old tradition the world over and we are very excited to be hosting this unique Cake Mixing Ceremony as we prepare for a festive season filled with cheer! The soaked dry fruits will be kept for a month before it gets baked as plum puddings, fruitcakes and a range of Christmas cake preparations,” shared Chef Akhilesh Jha, Brand Chef Fresc Co.

Mixing assorted dry fruits, including raisins, red cherries, cashew nuts, almonds, prunes, dates, and figs, along with orange peel, powdered cloves, cardamom and pepper topped with generous portions of liquor, Fresc Co along with The Artful Baker brought in the excitement of Christmas with guests and friends.