The men in white were on a gallant mission for the ‘Food Lovers Chefs for Charity’ at the Taj West End’s Prince of Wales lawns.

Elegant tents and canopies dotted the verdent green lawns as 21 Executive Chefs from Bangalore’s high end hotels and restaurants dished out 40 of their most exquisite creations from different cuisines for the gastronomic delight of the guests.

Not even the unexpected rains marred their pleasure as they glided from one stall to the next, their plates filled with sumptuous delicacies.

Orgainsed by Hospitality Initiative India’s Food Lovers and the Taj West End, the proceeds of the event will go to Sneha Nilaya, a city based NGO working for orphans and underprivileged children.

The event managed to raise approximately 1.75 lakhs, enough to meet the needs of the NGO for the next five months. Donor passes priced at Rs 500 each served as invites that added up to the impressive sum.

“The Taj Group and our oganization share the same values and this event is a celebration of that spirit. As an industry, our awareness is broadening on a different perspective. Today, 400 Bangaloreans will know about the cause of Sneha Nilaya.

We are looking for long term sustenance of the initiative so that the act of good continues”, says Kripal Amanna, Editor of  Food Lovers Magazine. Speaking of this innovative forum to promote charity he says, “You need an allure to attract people’s attention. Food is something everybody connects with, and the fascination for chefs is universal.” 

A common occurance in the West, this is the first time in India that the chef fraternity has come together in the country on a non-competitive basis, shattering the myth of cold wars existing amongst these magicians of the kitchen.

So what do the stars of the show think about the event? Chef Manu Chandra of the Olive Beach candidly remarks, “By definition we are in the business of hospitality, of feeding people and bringing a smile to their face.

Every hotel does charity in its own way, but cannot manage an impact on such a large scale.” Says Sandeep Kachroo, Chef of Taj Residency, “There was no thinking twice about participating for this noble cause. Charity is not just providing free meals once or twice, it is something more meaningful and responsible.”

In the end, it was humanity’s quintessential need to please the stomach that won out,  with a noble cause at centerstage.