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Hindustan Times
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Beyond startups to pop-ups in Bengaluru
Akhila Srinivas may well be Bengaluru's queen of pop-ups. Akhila runs The Courtyard, her family home now transformed into a gathering space, and The Conservatory, which has hosted a number of restaurant pop-ups that are not as expensive as the five-star ones but aren't cheap either (the range is from ₹1,500 to ₹6,000 per person per meal). What distinguishes her curations is that they are rooted in a specific cuisine prepared in a specific way. Consider the recent line-up: Sienna Café's Bengali food, Gingko Pune's Uzuki summer menu, the Maratha Kitchen's food and more. There are a lot of women chefs with interesting takes on their native and learned food, be it Goan or Keralite. A good indication of their popularity is that five-star chefs get on the wait-list to attend. So what's the feedback, I asked Akhila. 'Visiting chefs say that Bengaluru's diners are both adventurous and attentive to food,' she says. 'When a chef comes to explain the concept, the diners actually listen.' At the other end of the spectrum is the recently finished culinary pop-up at The Leela Palace Bengaluru with 3 Michelin-starred Chef Massimo Bottura. Priced at ₹50,000++ per person, the sold-out event attracted visitors from Bengaluru and nearby cities who don't hesitate to spend for high-end experiences brought to their doorstep. Bengaluru a la Delhi, you might say. I think of all this as I talk to Raihan Vadra, during the Bangalore Art Weekend that happened last month. Raihan is 25 and together with Svasa Life magazine, Platform Magazine, The Usual Suspects India community, brand-agency Form & Flow and other collaborators, he put together a weekend of panel discussions, art, music and fashion, all held at Sabha, a restored bungalow in Kamaraj Road. I try not to bring up his mother, Priyanka, his father, Robert, both of whom have been in the news. Instead, I ask the Delhi-based visual-artist about how Bangalore is different from the events that he has organised in Delhi and Mumbai. Well, for one thing, Bangaloreans actually listen, he replies, echoing what Akhila said. In Delhi, young people quickly lose interest in hour-long panel-discussions. In Bengaluru, as I witnessed, there were panel discussions held over two days, on topics ranging from conscious living to making films. A full house of people mostly in their 20s and 30s sat patiently and listened. The second thing Raihan mentioned was the fact that the entire weekend was alcohol-free, which would be unheard of in Delhi. Kombucha was on offer from Dad's Hack, created by Bengaluru boy, Zeshan Rahaman. But the sessions were still packed with folks, chatting and viewing art. In Delhi, said Raihan, unless it is a 'party,' meaning unless there is alcohol, it is hard to get folks to attend. The last thing he mentioned was that there seemed to be a 'hunger for art and culture' here in Bangalore. Now this is something that feels contradictory. On the one hand, talk to art galleries like Sakshi and Sumukha and they will say that Bangaloreans don't buy, or appreciate art. We may have our startup billionaires but culture, we lack. Even Chennai buys more art, they will say. But that may refer to older folks who have the means to buy fine art. The youth of Bangalore have a hunger for other forms of culture including zines (self-made magazines), graphic art and manga. Bangalore Art Weekend was nominally about art, but it also had workshops on zine-making, sketching and design. The panel discussions included performance poetry, ad films, discussions on reclaiming public spaces, mental health, upcycling clothes, getting off social media and living a slower, more intentional life. Designers sold clothes. But most importantly, people stayed back to listen. My favourite recent pop-up was an exhibition of embroidery artworks by 10 Lambadi artisans who undertook a residency under the guidance of Bangalore-based fashion-designer Anshu Arora, who along with her husband, Jason Cherian founded a label called The Small Shop. Anshu connected with The Porgai Artisans Association where over 60 women who belong to the Lambadi tribe relearned the embroidery techniques that was their heritage. What Anshu did over a four-month residency was nudge them into making embroidery art so that it could be elevated to gallery spaces and command a lot more money. So ten women volunteered and created a stunning variety of artworks that were sold in Sabha. I attended a panel discussion on the last day in which the visionary founder of Tribal Health Initiative (under which Porgai operates), Lalitha Regi spoke about how crafts such as the Lambadi embroidery could be brought back from the brink of disappearance. As I stood and gazed at the intricate embroidery panels hung in the museum-like space, I felt as if I were in the beautiful Sittilingi Valley where these women live and work among birds, bees, trees and butterflies. (Shoba Narayan is Bengaluru-based award-winning author. She is also a freelance contributor who writes about art, food, fashion and travel for a number of publications.)
Forbes
01-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
La Paulée Celebrates 25 Years Of Burgundy Wine In San Francisco 2025
(San Francisco, CA) Athénaïs Béru, Owner/Winemaker - Château de Béru is "camera" ready for La Paulée Michel Joly La Paulée just celebrated 25 amazing years of honoring Burgundy wines in San Francisco this March, and what a celebration it was! This iconic event brought together wine lovers, sommeliers, and collectors for an unforgettable tribute to some of the finest Burgundy vintages. The spirit of Burgundy came alive as La Paulée returned to San Francisco in style, marking its milestone anniversary with plenty of generosity, community, and, of course, incredible wines. It's the ultimate event for wine enthusiasts—a chance to rub shoulders with renowned winemakers, top chefs, and passionate wine fans. From grand tastings to multi-course dinners and expert-led seminars, every experience was designed to showcase the magic and diversity of Burgundy wines. Founded in 2000 by Daniel Johnnes, La Paulée takes inspiration from Burgundy's traditional post-harvest festival, La Paulée de Meursault. This centuries-old French tradition celebrates camaraderie and a shared love of wine, and La Paulée has brought that same spirit to a modern, global audience. La Paulée celebrates 25 years with a stop in San Francisco at The Conservatory at One Sansome Michel Joly This year's 25th-anniversary event was something special. It wasn't just about the wines (though they were spectacular); it was about celebrating the people, stories, and traditions that make Burgundy such a cornerstone of wine culture. La Paulée de Meursault, the festival's original muse, dates back to 1923 and is firmly established as one of Burgundy's most cherished wine traditions. It brings together winemakers and wine enthusiasts to celebrate the completion of the harvest, creating an atmosphere of warmth, gratitude, and shared joy. When Daniel Johnnes began La Paulée in the U.S., his vision was clear—to capture the generosity and community spirit of the original and weave it into a series of luxuriously festive events. Over the past 25 years, La Paulée has grown into an internationally acclaimed celebration of Burgundy's rich wine culture. "It was such a thrill to return to San Francisco in celebration of La Paulée's 25th anniversary. The enthusiasm for Burgundy was palpable all weekend. Thank you, San Francisco, for coming out for a convivial celebration!" The 2025 La Paulée events spanned three cities across the U.S., with San Francisco shining as a standout destination. The week-long celebration of world-class experiences reached its pinnacle at the Gala Dinner, hosted in the stunning Conservatory at One Sansome Street. This unforgettable evening showcased culinary excellence with acclaimed chefs Michael Tusk and Charles Phan, complemented by the expertise of sommeliers Loris Anne Jones-Randolph and Elizabeth Harcourt. The Gala Dinner brought together food, wine, and fellowship in a breathtaking display of culinary artistry and Burgundy's legendary winemaking tradition. Attendees mingled with producers, shared wines from their personal collections, and reveled in a dining experience that fully embraced Burgundy's convivial spirit. (San Francisco, CA) Elizabeth Harcourt was one many sommeliers pouring large format wine bottles Michel Joly Caught up in the vibe, I grabbed the unopened 2015 Clos Béru Chablis in front of me and tapped the woman two seats over on the shoulder. 'Mind showing me the proper way to open this bottle?' I asked with a grin. Before she could respond, the guy across from me froze mid-conversation, his eyes wide. 'Do you even know who that is?' he whispered, clearly horrified. I glanced at him, then back at her, and smirked. 'Of course I do. I may be two glasses in, but I know exactly who she is—Athénaïs Béru, Owner/Winemaker of Château de Béru and the genius behind one of my favorite Chablis.' The whole section erupted in laughter as Athénaïs stood up, her amused smile matching mine. We hugged, and naturally, I poured us both a glass of her wine. Because what's better than sharing a bottle with the winemaker herself? (San Francisco, CA) The pouring techniques get creative as the night goes on at La Paulée Michel Joly 1. Exclusive Vertical Tastings: Guests got a rare treat tasting different vintages from some of Burgundy's most iconic producers. These guided tastings were all about diving into the depth, complexity, and evolution of the region's legendary wines. 2. Incredible Dinners with Top Chefs: The food was next-level, with culinary stars like Tusk and Phan creating stunning menus that felt like pure art. Every dish was perfectly paired with Burgundy wines, making each meal an unforgettable experience. 3. Burgundy's Best Wines: Burgundy truly stands out as one of the world's top wine regions, and attendees got to experience it all. Producers like Domaine Dujac, Château de Béru, Domaine Anne Gros, and Champagne Salon brought their finest wines, sharing their craft and passion for a once-in-a-lifetime tasting experience. 4. A Sense of Community and Generosity: One of the coolest aspects of La Paulée is how everyone brings wines from their personal collections to share alongside the winemakers' contributions. This spirit of generosity and a shared love for great wine created a warm, celebratory vibe that you just don't find at other festivals. La Paulée isn't just a wine festival—it's the heart and soul of Burgundy brought to life. It's a way to connect two continents and bring together people who love the art of winemaking and the joy of sharing it. Every event is rich in tradition but always has something fresh and exciting to offer. For 25 years, La Paulée has been celebrating Burgundy's wine culture here in the U.S., creating an unmatched experience for wine enthusiasts. Missed La Paulée in San Francisco or New York? No worries—check out its sister event, La Fête du Champagne. The difference? La Fête is all about the bubbles! Learn more about the upcoming fall event here.
