A big week of surprises, from an exclusive sneak peek into IKEA to discussing the neo cafe scene of India on our cover
We're only days away from Christmas and there are multiple reminders around us—from a multitude of cutesy Xmas menus to our social media feeds, it's all looking very jolly. Add to that Mumbaikars got an early Christmas prezzie in the form of the new opening of IKEA, the lifestyle store that we all love, but didn't manage to always travel all the way to Navi Mumbai for. Well, the good news is that they now have a home in Worli, making all our kitchen, pantry and living room dreams come true. We got an exclusive, early peek into their kitchen section that featured well-designed crockery, functional kitchen furnishings and uber-smart knick-knacks.
This month and for our last cover story of the year, Food Editor Suman Quazi and I worked on an extra-special story: one where we spoke to women chefs Urvika Kanoi and Hanisha Singh, as two bonafide forces in the Indian culinary space, reshaping cafe food.
Copy Chief Nirupama Chaudhary, like most of you, is also daydreaming of Goa and so, has compiled a list of some of the best cafes in the summer state. Surely check it out if you're heading there anytime soon; and even if you aren't.
For the rest of you staying put at home and planning to binge on #AndJustLikeThat, or maybe that's just me, there are some weekend recipes to bookmark. From our 30 amazing Christmas recipes to our elaborate desi meat roast video, it's all a primer on how-to Christmas the Indian way. After you're done marinating, basting and roasting your meat, go through this compilation of 10 winter dishes. Once the Xmas hangover subsides, it will come in handy.
Let me sign off this letter by mentioning the mega event of December, the #VicKat wedding. As an ode to that, we've released our shaadi wali malai kofta video that is as festive as it's winter-friendly—warming bowls of rich subzi to go with your homemade garlic naan. Until you get invited to the next wedding, this will keep you afloat.
Sonal Ved
Editor
Sonal Ved is the editor at IFN. She is also an author of an award-winning cookbook called Tiffin. She travelled through the first five tastes to be able to tell between a brie and provolone dolce. She can make stellar undhiyu and a green smoothie.
