Český kulinářský festival oslovil gurmány v

Český kulinářský festival oslovil gurmány v

TIC
Velvyslanectví České republiky Dillí
Věc: Český kulinářský festival oslovil gurmány v nejprestižnějším hotelu v Dillí – ITC
Maurya, West View Restaurant
Vůně české tradiční kuchyně, třpyt českého křišťálu a poutavé krásy obrazů „Česká
nej“ ovládly od 16.-26.4.2014 prestižní hotel ITC Maurya, se kterým ZÚ Dillí připravil
ve dnech 16.-26.4.2014 ve vyhlášené restauraci West View „Festival české kuchyně“
doplněný o výstavu broušeného a litého uměleckého českého skla a obrazů věnovaných
českým hradům, malebné české krajině, tradičním pochoutkám, modernímu designu,
českému granátu a dalším českým „nej“. Kromě bohaté české dekorace byla hlavní
pozornost upřena na speciality české kuchyně, které pro gurmány v Dillí připravil
osobně viceprezident Asociace českých kuchařů a cukrářů a vedoucí Gastro Studia
Bidvest Bc. Marek Svoboda, jenž vykouzlil pestrou gastronomickou přehlídku
tradičních i moderně pojatých českých pochutin. Na hosty festivalu navíc čekala i další
příjemná překvapení v podobě ochutnávky českého piva (Budějovický Budvar) a
tradičních českých likérů (Becherovka a Fernet Stock) či české dívky oděné v národních
krojích a živá i reprodukovaná česká hudba. Prezentace české kuchyně se shledala
s výrazným zájmem médií, jejichž výstupy zasíláme v příloze, těšila se velmi pozitivnímu
ohlasu ze strany hostů kulinářského festivalu a dalších návštěvníků restaurace.
Bc. Marek Svoboda, viceprezident Asociace kuchařů a cukrářů ČR, akreditovaný komisař
Světové asociace kuchařů (WACS), manažer Bidvest Gastro týmu, lektor kuchařských kurzů
a četný host celé řady českých televizních kulinářských pořadů, přicestoval na pozvání ZÚ
Dillí prezentovat českou gastronomii v rámci „Festivalu české kuchyně“. Šéfkuchař Marek
Svoboda představil v Dillí pestrý výběr českých gastronomických specialit, které prezentoval
v moderním a tradičním pojetí za pomoci původních českých surovin přepravených za tímto
účelem z ČR, mezi nimiž nechyběly české klasiky jako zelňačka, guláš pražského uzenáře,
pečená kachna na kmíně se zelím, galantina z kuřete, různé variace paštik či pivní sýr a
nechyběly ani slavné české knedlíky a noky. Šéfkuchař nabídl dále i marinovaná kachní prsa
zauzená na čaji, speciálně marinovaného himalájského pstruha či skopovou kýtu na česneku.
Ze sladkých pak bodovaly lívance s jahodami či tvarohová žemlovka nebo jablečný závin.
V rámci programu festivalu se uskutečnily dva večery doprovázené živou hudbou a
představením českých krojů (16. a 23. 4.), současně byla dne 23.4. uspořádána pro
manželky velvyslanců akreditovaných v Dillí ukázka přípravy českých pokrmů v režii
šéfkuchaře Marka Svobody, který manželkám velvyslanců demonstroval přípravu kuřecí
paštiky či marinovaných kachních prsou zauzených na čaji a dalších lahůdek. Po kuchařské
demonstraci následoval typický český oběd (kachní prsa s knedlíky a zelím, pečený pstruh,
palačinky s jahodami atd.), přičemž ani pro manželky velvyslanců nechyběla degustace
českého piva a aperitivů.
Kromě vůně a bohatých chutí umocnily zážitek z kulinářské přehlídky i doprovodné dekorace
v podobě výstavy obrazů „Česká nej“ a českého skla, které byly představeny v prostorách
restaurace West View po celou dobu festivalu. Výstava „Česká nej“ zobrazující české
historické klenoty, Pražský hrad, Český Krumlov či zámek Červená Lhota, ale i nádherné
krajinné úkazy jako Pravčickou bránu v Českém Švýcarsku či podmanivou krajinu povodí
Labe, doplněné o obrazy věnované českému modernímu designu, tradičnímu sklářskému
umění či jedinečnému českému granátu, dodala působivou atmosféru během ochutnávání
českých pokrmů a tradičních českých nápojů.
Jedinečný punc akci dodala rovněž bohatá výstava českého skla, doplněná informací o
historii českého sklářství a aktuálních trendech českého skla. V rámci výstavy byly
představeny rozličné směry českého sklářství, od tradičního ručně broušeného křišťálu (Tom
Bohemia Crystal) přes lité umělecké sklo (František Halama Art Glass) až po nápojové sklo
(Crystalex). Cílem doprovodné výstavy bylo představit indickým účastníkům festivalu
různorodou paletu stylů českého sklářství a přidat tak milovníkům shoppingu vedle možnosti
ochutnat autentickou českou kuchyni i další důvod k návštěvě ĆR. Prvním odběratelem
českého skla se stane již restaurace West View, která po prezentaci výstavy české
sklářského umění projevila zájem o nahrazení současného nápojového skla českým
křišťálem; bude se tak jednat o první indickou restauraci plně vybavenou českým
sklem.
Večery české kuchyně doprovodil rovněž živou hudbou český trumpetista Miroslav Kopřiva,
který svými melodiemi oživil průběh slavnostního inauguračního večera dne 16.4. a rovněž
večer 23.4. Ostatní festivalové večery doprovázela reprodukovaná česká klasická a lidová
hudba. Příjemným oživením byly pro hosty obou mimořádných večerů i české dívky oděné
do národních krojů, které hosty vítaly u vstupu do restaurace.
Kulinářský festival se setkal i s mimořádným zájmem médií, a to jak ze strany indických
deníků tak magazínů pokrývajících gastronomii a lifestyle. Zástupci 11 médií se zúčastnili již
slavnostního zahájení festivalu dne 16.4.2014, další novináři se festivalu účastnili
v následujících dnech. Přehled hlavního mediálního pokrytí zasíláme v příloze.
Komentář: ZÚ Dillí pořádá pravidelné přehlídky české tradiční kuchyně a degustace
českého piva, vína a likérů, kterými usiluje o rozšíření povědomí o českých
gastronomických pokladech s cílem inspirovat indické turisty objevující nové cestovní
destinace k návštěvě ČR. V minulém roce se uskutečnila „road show“ 12 českých
výrobců potravin a nápojů, během které své výrobky představily firmy Hamé,
Kostelecké uzeniny, firma Novotný vyrábějící Pardubický perník, Pravé hořické
trubičky, výrobce piva Bernard, Praguell a Budějovický Budvar, výrobce šumivého vína
Bohemia sekt, vinařská firma Vinselekt Michlovský a výrobci likérů a destilátů Rudolf
Jelínek, Becherovka a Stock Plzeň – Božkov. V r. 2012 zorganizoval ZÚ kulinářský
festival zemí V4, v rámci kterého se ČR představila kulinářskými specialitami
šéfkuchaře pražského hotelu Hilton a degustací 9 značek českého piva. V r. 2011 se
uskutečnila prezentace české gastronomie a českých a moravských vinařství v hotelu
Lalit atd.
Gurmánské akce, v rámci nichž ZÚ každoročně prezentuje kulinářské speciality,
tradiční nápoje včetně slavného piva, moravského vína a typických likérů, tak
představují jeden ze základních pilířů prezentace ČR v Indii, která čím dál více objevuje
krásy „srdce Evropy“. „Festival české kuchyně“ v podání viceprezidenta Asociace
českých kuchařů a cukrářů Marka Svobody, obohacený o prezentaci českého skla a krás
ČR tak potvrdila jedinečnost českého kulturního bohatství, která má stále co nabídnout.
Pozn: ZÚ Dillí by rád využil této příležitosti a poděkoval agentuře CzechTourism za
finanční přispění k realizaci akce a Asociaci kuchařů a cukrářů ČR za spolupráci při
zajištění šéfkuchaře.
V příloze zasíláme pro informaci a další využití výběr fotografií z akce i mediální
přehled.
Vypracoval: PhDr. Andrea Kučerová, Ph.D., Mgr. Jana Peterková
Schválil: Ing. Miloslav Stašek
http://www.dailypioneer.com/vivacity/beer-in-mind.html
BEER IN MIND
Friday, 18 April 2014 | Hamari Jamatiya
The Czech menu at West View, ITC Maurya, reflects the warmth of the country’s
people, best complemented by a mug of chilled beer. Amid traditional music and theme
décor, it doesn’t take long to feel at home with the self-acclaimed hunters who love their
meat as much as they do their beverage, says Hamari Jamatia
It is difficult not to be taken in by a nation where there are 450 different brands of beer and
where the beverage is cheaper than milk. People still gather their own meat during certain
seasons and couple it with local herbs for a hearty meal. Maybe this connection with locally
grown produce is the reason why chef Marek Svoboda landed on the Indian shores lugging
behind him a 40 kg luggage consisting of cooking ingredients. In the city to showcase Czech
cuisine at West View, ITC Maurya, from April 16-26, the chef fishes out a parchment from
his breast pocket to read out the dishes he has prepared, just in case he misses out something.
“You should try the liver dish. It is authentic Czech. I have also made the cabbage and the
duck breast,” he says, adding that he brought fish, flour and meat with him. The Indian
ingredient he most fancies is the paneer which is very much like the one he uses back home.
Describing the Czech food he says that the tastiest dishes are those that have been slowcooked so the meat turns into a melt-in-the-mouth miracle. “My grandmother inspired me to
start cooking. She used to roast and bake at home and I began to pick it up from there,” he
says. True to his penchant for food, the spread laid out is impressive and to heighten the
cheer, beer and little Czech flags are hoisted on each table. There is a combination of meat
and veggies to cater to the Indian palate and some of the dishes are surprisingly simple like
the pacena dyne which is made of pumpkin. The tenderloin carpaccio and the liver dish,
however, are the show stealer for me. With very simple seasoning and clean cuts, they burst
with flavour. The main course is a spread of veggies, different cuts of meat, sole and lobster,
all grilled to order. They are nicely rounded up by an apple strudel in the end, stuffed with
caramelised apple and a hint of cinnamon and cream.
According to Ambassador Miloslav Stasek the celebration is also a way to promote Czech as
a potential tourist destination. The restaurant has therefore been decorated with the country’s
famous crystal glasses and crockery. A musician has also been flown in to charm diners with
his melodious tunes. Three girls in traditional dresses jostle around, completely transforming
the place into a hub of Czech culture.
Jana Peterkova, Third Secretary at the Embassy that has tied up with ITC to organise the food
festival, says that the dishes reflect the culture of her country. “We spend a lot of our time
outdoors. It is not surprising for people to go out in the summer morning to collect
mushrooms which form a big part of our meals. Game meat used to be an important part of
Czech cuisine, but a lot has however changed in the last 20 years. We are preparing less fatty
food ” she says.
According to the Embassy members, depending on the response towards the festival, they
may even open an authentic Czech pub in the city to tingle taste buds with their beers and
meat. Now that is some reason to raise a glass of beer and say cheers!
http://www.newindianexpress.com/thesundaystandard/Highlights-from-the-Heart-ofEurope/2014/04/20/article2178116.ece
Highlights from the Heart of Europe
By Ayesha Singh

As the elevator opens at the 28th floor of ITC Maurya’s rooftop restaurant, West View, a loud
sizzle from the grill section inside guides your steps to the deep brown wooden door, held
open by two attentive waiters and one smiling chef. They subsequently lead you into a mini
Czech land, right here in the heart of Delhi.
Ongoing at the restaurant is the Czech food festival that started on April 16 and goes on till
April 26. Master Chef Marek Svoboda has specially been flown in from the land of castles
and châteaus to the kitchens of what he calls one of the world’s finest Indian and India’s finest
global cuisine chains to get food most loved and cooked by him on its tables. ‘‘Czech cuisine
is very different from the Indian cuisine. Nonetheless, I am sure it will be well accepted. The
last time I was in the country, I gauged what people liked and disliked, thus gaining
knowledge about how to perfect my flavour combinations. Do look out for our sauces, as they
are the mainstay of the Czech cuisine,’’ says Svoboda.
As he hops from table to table, explaining his preparations, the chef makes sure to tell
everyone how he’s always been inspired by his grandmother. ‘‘The Czech cabbage and
dumplings are two of my favourite things that I learnt from her. I can now make them as well
as she did,’’ he says, giving us a shy smile.
The selection being offered is replete with quintessential Czech dishes like Roast Buffalo
Meat, Prague Goulash, Braised steaks, Lamb with Garlic, Lamb with Cream, Lamb with
Paprika, Marinated Pork, Roasted Duck with Caraway Seed and Sour Cabbage, Grilled Perch,
Bread Pudding with Cottage Cheese and a lot more. ‘‘In our cuisine, we usually start with
soup— chicken or vegetarian; the next course is the main dish, followed by a compote or
something sweet. Dumplings too, are a popular side dish,’’ says Svoboda, who can barely
speak English but manages to make his sentences clear by his animated gestures. He’s quite
used to expressing himself by the movement of his hands and eyes. Having travelled
extensively to showcase his food, communication now seizes to be a setback. His food does
much of the talking anyway.
http://rupalideantraveller.blogspot.in/2014/04/czech-promotion-westview-itc-maurya.html
CZECH PROMOTION@ WESTVIEW, ITC MAURYA
Nestled in ITC Maurya’s most upscale location on the rooftop overlooking the verdant
greens, ‘West View’ is understatedly elegant and beautifully spaced. With clean lines and
welcoming seating, the décor is balanced between luxuriously chic and comfortable.
When I heard about the Czech promotion at the West View and that too a culinary feast by
celebrity Chef Marek Svoboda, (also the captain of the Czech
National culinary team)I simply had to go with my daughter
Akanksha in tow (she’s pursuing Hotel Management at the Christ
University, Bangalore and is a complete foodie…all in the family I
guess). Having had travelled to the Czech Republic a couple of
times before, I quite enjoy those flavours and what better if one gets
to relive those food memories, right here in the homeland. Sample
this, svickova -beef fillet served in a creamy juniper berry sauce, a
hot goulash with bread or vepro knedlo zelo- pork, cabbage and
dumplings washed down with a beer. This cuisine has been largely
overlooked by the rest of the world and from my personal
experience I feel some of these Exotic Czech dishes could just rule
the world.
We are welcomed by beautiful young girls
dressed up in traditional attire (read on a
happy note) and settle in comfortably.
We begin with the Goulash. Chef Marek and
we sit down to tussle with the question of
authenticity. Then, we get distracted by that
Goulash. It certainly helps him make his
point though. ‘If the taste is good, if the quality is good…then people will enjoy my cooking.’
On his quest for the perfect meal Chef Marek tends to concentrate on everyday food because
‘people are proud of their local food; it’s the purest expression of a culture’, and Akanksha
and me nod our heads in unison. ‘I cannot talk of Czech cuisine and not talk about the beer,
don’t forget to try some along with your food’, says Chef Marek and leaves us to enjoy our
meal.
As for me I feel Czech beer goes very well with pickled ermine, which is a specific type of
cheese, soft on the inside and covered in a thin white film….a foodie’s delight!
As we eat our salad and soup, I bump into Ritu Agarwal Rohatgi, she is a friend, the editor of
India Today Travel Plus and we have had some fun times on our travels together and her
foodie cousin Rajat, so we shift outside and join them for the rest of the meal. Trust me food
becomes even more enjoyable if the company is good and even importantly if the
conversation is about food, travel and wine.
Coming back to the food, traditionally, the main meal in the Czech Republic is based around
beef or pork which is served with a choice of starchy side dishes such as dumplings, French
fries, or other types of potatoes.
The main course out here is a selection of a number of meats,
seafood and vegetables on display and we could choose
whatever we fancied and the chef promised to grill it to our
liking. Sure enough the grills (mine was a plate full of the
meats, a few vegetables on the side and the Czech dumplings)
came to me exactly the way I like it. By the way Czech
Dumplings are not your ‘momo’ type ones, they are the most
common side dish which is normally made from wheat or
potato flour, boiled as a roll and then sliced and served hot.
Most Czech desserts revolve around three things i.e. sugar, fruit and starch, so I went in for
the Apple strudel, the filling was nice and yummy, but I would have surely liked the crust a
bit more crisp. All in all it was an evening well spent and if you are looking for some
traditional hearty fare this is the place to go.
FAST FACTS
West View @ ITC Maurya, Diplomatic Enclave, Sardar Patel Marg, Chanakyapuri, New
Delhi
The promotion is on from the 16th of April until the 26th of April only for dinner
Pricing: INR 2950 per person inclusive of one drink.
Reservations: 011 2611 2233
http://www.welcomzestlounge.in/article/index/articledetail/id/416
A Celebrity Chef Conducts a Czech Rhapsody in New Delhi
Posted on: Monday April 21, 2014
THERE WAS A TIME in college when I fancied all it took to be Bohemian was to heave into a
pair of fitting bellbottoms and strap on a bandana. Today, I know better. Bohemia is a major
region in the Czech Republic, so the real Bohemian can only be someone with an allegiance to
the place, or at least the country. Nothing could be easier. Czech cuisine is a brazen invitation to
forget about niggling concerns relating to fitting into either your jeans or a clique.
With its German, Austrian, Hungarian, Slovakian and Polish influences, Czech cuisine rallies
together familiar favourites from its neighbourhood and adds a unique dash of its own panache.
It’s an experience best enjoyed at the hands of experts such as the Czech Master Chef Marek
Svoboda. It gives me great pleasure to say that all of Delhi is in luck this month because Chef
Marek just happens to be working his charm at ITC Maurya’s West View all the way up to the
26th of April.
Captain of the Czech national culinary team, Chef Marek is so particular about getting every
dish right, that he carries his own stash of ingredients from back home. The authenticity sings
through in savoury pastries, sandwiches, cold cuts, cheeses, salads, and my personal favourite –
briny mushrooms served with chicken broth and bread.
This is a festival where you can treat yourself to legumes and root vegetables and an
astonishing variety of meat. Lobster tail, tenderloin and even Himalayan river trout marinated
in authentic Czech spices, are high on my list of recommendations. Czech beers and liqueurs take
all this to the next level. Whether you go for a Bude, a Fernet Stock or Becherovka, you will be
treated to the age-old Czech mastery of brewing and distilling.
If you’re anything like me, by the time you’ve rounded it all off with an apple strudel, you’d have
been won over by the benefits of being a true-blue Bohemian.
http://www.zootout.com/delhi/event/west-view-itc-maurya/czech-master-chef-mareksvoboda-7739
Czech Master Chef Marek Svoboda
DATES FOR CZECH MASTER CHEF MAREK SVOBODADATE
Apr 16, 2014 - Apr 26, 2014
VENUE FOR CZECH MASTER CHEF MAREK SVOBODAVENUE
West View - ITC Maurya
Sardar Patel Marg, South Delhi
PHONE NUMBER FOR CZECH MASTER CHEF MAREK SVOBODAPHONE
Click to view phone number
CATEGORY OF CZECH MASTER CHEF MAREK SVOBODACATEGORY
Food And Drinks
ABOUT CZECH MASTER CHEF MAREK SVOBODAABOUT
The Celebrity Chef Series presents Czech Master Chef Marek Svoboda
Watch the dazzling artistry of Master Chef Marek Svoboda as he dishes out authentic Czech cuisine
this month, exclusively at West View. Savor traditional recipes including dumplings, sauerkraut,
risottos and more, as you sample exotic Czech beverages!
http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/entertainment-others/czech-mate-2/
Czech Mate
Written by Shantanu David | April 18, 2014 9:43 am
An antipasti spread; (below) Chicken Liver Pate
Summary
A food festival that plays a meaty role in a 10-day Bohemian celebration
The elevator doors dinged open to a gaggle of young girls dressed in traditional Czech folk
costumes. Behind them, restaurant doors lay open to a riot of colours, tables groaning under
platters of food, a heavyset man in chef whites (doubtless the protagonist) sifting between a
corps of wine-sipping diplomats and other dignified personages, Czech flags in profusion
everywhere. and curiously enough, a jazz band trumpeting out Ricky Matin’s Livin a Vida
Loca. It could have been the opening scene from a comic spy thriller.
The truth, as usual, was a little more prosaic. The occasion was the opening night of the 10day Czech food festival being held at ITC Maurya’s West View restaurant and the chef was
indeed the man of the hour: Marek Svoboda, who has flown in to create and execute a
traditional Czech menu.
Comprising several courses, the meal begins with six Czech antipasti with tongue-twister
names (though they comprise pickled vegetables and meats, savoury pastries and open
sandwiches among other items) as well as cold cuts, cheeses and a salad station wherein you
can construct your own.
The briney mushrooms (the Czech have a particular affinity for the fungi) and traditional
Czech potato soup or chicken broth is served tableside along with breads.
Guests have the option of sampling Bude (jovický Budvar, the country’s best-selling beer),
which is a testament to the Czech people’s centuries-old mastery at brewing, to accompany
their meal, or end it with the digestive liqueurs Fernet Stock or Becherovka.
For mains, the concept of West View’s grill room takes over. Guests are required to arm
themselves with plates and step towards the grill section. Here, myriad meats and just-asextensive vegetarian selection repose, regal and raw, on chilled shelves. One can choose
between lobster tail, tenderloin, lamb chops and steaks, duck breast, pork chops, Himalayan
river trout and a slew of other proteins marinated in Czech spices like majoram. And hand the
piled-up platter to a waiting battalion of chefs who will grill your selection to your preferred
degree of doneness and serve you on your table. The meats are fabulously cut and just as
toothsome, and accompanied by potato pancakes and goulash, both Czech staples, which are
available on request.
The vegetarian section somehow failed to draw our attention but there was a litany of legumes
and a roost of root-vegetables. The food, music and alcohol all combine to make a most
connival evening; no bleak Prague Cemetery this.
The Czech food festival is on till April 26 between 7 pm and 11.45 pm at West View, ITC
Maurya. Priced at
Rs 2,950 plus taxes a person. Contact 46215152 for reservations