The spice shop suddenly catches my eye while the red bus drives by, I know that Chitra Akkaiya is waiting for me to get nothing but the best of ingredients from Kodagu so that she could cook delicious traditional delicacies.

I must buy the best ingredients to revive, the authentic culinary traditions of Coorg at Zaman, Ista’s fine dining Indian restaurant. My fears have disappeared while I watch sacks of precious spices placed carefully in Bopanna's jeep.The fragrant mountain air, a bridegroom in his native costume, I sigh and smile while I look at the bottles of pure honey, delicately roasted coffee beans, spices, baimbele, jackfruit specially hand picked by my host Bopanna from Crystal Valley estate.

 Back in bustling Bangalore, Chitra Akkaiya has mastered the nuances and intricacies to retain the authenticity of the cuisine apart from being a proud mother of India’s well-known model Shubra Aiyappa and is creating traditional delicacies at Zaman from August 8 to August 15.  Says Nikhil Kapur, General Manager, “Chitra Akkaiya has truly inspired the creation and need to explore Coorg's rich regional cuisine at Zaman and we are delighted to promote the vibrant and rich culture and cuisines of India through many such promotions and festivals."  “Akkaiya has passionately inspired team Ista to recreate the best kept culinary preparation techniques of the Coorgi community,” adds Executive Chef Subroto Goswami.

Chitra Akkiya's menu showcases the best of Coorg, her signature, highly recommended spicy pepper chili pork, otti baimbele, popularly referred to as akki roti savoured with stir fried garlic bamboo shoot flavoured with homemade ghee.

 A traditional Coorgi feast of spicy pork curry, will be served with kadambutt (rice balls), natty koli curry with nuput (chicken curry with rice noodles) and a host of interesting special features on the Kodagu menu and adds to the personal touch of the cuisine.The land of brave warriors, mist covered mountains, picturesque coffee estates, tea plantations, lush greenery and a legacy that is priceless beckons you to savour the best of Kodagu infused with a warm informal elegance and personalised service at Zaman.

Michelle Sebastian