Latest news with #Yura
The Hindu
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Taste Idukki with Chennai's Yura gelato by ITC Grand Chola
Brightly lit and thoughtfully designed, ITC Grand Chola's gelato bar, named Yura – Artisanal Scoops, is inspired by the Japanese word that literally means 'beautiful dream', and offers an imaginative selection of gelatos, frozen yoghurt, sugar-free options and sorbets. Pastry chefs at ITC Grand Chola, Chef Sridhar Manickam and Chef Deepthi Joji who curated the menu, explain that the 10 flavours were the result of extensive experimentation, trial and error. 'We wanted to create desserts that resonate with all age groups, including international guests,' says Chef Deepthi, adding that they will be launching softies next. To support this vision, ITC has brought in state-of-the-art equipment from Italy. 'The stages of pasteurisation, mixing, homogenisation and ageing, are completely automated and precisely controlled. We take great care to ensure we use only the best ingredients, while consciously supporting local produce wherever possible. For example, in our Idukki vanilla flavour, the vanilla is directly sourced from farmers in the Idukki region of Kerala,' says Chef Sridhar. Yura's current offering includes Alphonso mango sorbet, French raspberry sorbet, blueberry yogurt, filter kaapi, miso caramel, chocolate (64% dark), Idukki vanilla gold, cookie and toffee, saffron and apricot and Sicilian pistachio. The sugar-free category features vanilla and chocolate. 'We have adapted the Japanese miso flavour, which traditionally uses fermented soy bean and ensured the salty flavour lends itself well to the gelato texture and taste. Blueberries are slow-cooked for over three hours before they go into our yoghurt. All our gelatos are vegetarian and we do not use additives or preservatives,' says Chef Sridhar. After sampling the range, cookie and toffee emerged as the personal favourite, instantly evoking a sense of childhood nostalgia. A close second was the saffron and apricot, which delivered a rich and wholesome experience, and the filter coffee which carried a warm, familiar appeal. Among the sorbets, the mango stood out with its bright, refreshing flavour. Yura – Artisanal Scoops is at ITC Grand Chola, Guindy. Call on 9840486009. The range of artisanal gelatos and sorbets are available for dine-in, takeaway, and delivery via Swiggy and Zomato.
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Head of local weather warnings takes early retirement as NOAA cuts continue
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Paul Yura, the warning coordination meteorologist at the National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio office, has announced he has taken the early retirement offer as part of NOAA's recent cuts to personnel and budget. Yura has over 32 years experience, spending more than half of his career at the NWS Austin/San Antonio office. In the process, he gained tremendous experience understanding local weather patterns while ensuring timely warnings get disseminated to the public in a multitude of ways. The warning coordination meteorologist (WCM) is a senior role at a local NWS office. According to NOAA, 'The WCM coordinates the warning function of the office with the outside world. This would include heading the Skywarn Program, conducting spotter training and being a voice to the local media for the office.' Only the 'meteorologist in charge' (MIC) has a higher position within a local office. Yura's retirement is part of an early retirement package offered to National Weather Service employees as the Trump Administration works to slash the budget at NWS and the larger NOAA organization. In an e-mailed message to media partners, Yura said, 'I cannot have asked for a more rewarding career that has spanned over 32 years, with over half of that career right here in South Central Texas as the WCM for the NWS Austin-San Antonio office. And while I am sad that it is ending a few years earlier than I had planned, the friendships and relationships that I have made while being your WCM cannot be replaced.' As for a replacement to the WCM, the current hiring freeze, as mentioned by Yura in his message, may make filling that role more challenging. This comes less than a week after several Regional Climate Center's across the county had their funding 'lapse' with no certainty of it returning. Funding 'lapse' cuts Southern Regional Climate Center at Texas A&M The importance of experience in the WCM role cannot be understated. Ensuring ample and timely warning to the Central Texas counties covered by NWS Austin/San Antonio is among the chief responsibilities. Yura's final date of employment, April 30, comes just before severe weather season in Central Texas typically peaks in the month of May. According to the NWS Austin/San Antonio website, the office is already short two meteorologist positions currently listed as vacant. The positions of 'lead meteorologist' and 'meteorologist' remain open. Separately, NWS Austin/San Antonio have a vacant 'electronics technician' position. In addition to Yura, Science Operations Officer Jon Zeitler is also retiring on April 30, but it is not an early retirement as part of NOAA personnel cuts. Zeitler has worked at NWS Austin/San Antonio for the past two decades and across all types of impactful severe weather and winter weather events in this area. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
