Experiencing the bounty of nature is one of life’s greatest joys: foraging, gardening, fishing, and, ultimately, cooking casual meals, whether indoors or outside over an open fire. The Great Outdoors with Marriott Hyderabad Vol I in association with Jacobs Creek was a rustic yet delicious portrayal of living in harmony with nature.
A two-hour drive from the hotel and we were transported from the hectic hustle-bustle of the city’s life into this quaint and picturesque environment through lush paddy and sugarcane fields. The earthy themes continued as we were greeted by white cabanas of lengthy light-wood table with centerpieces of chrysanthemums running down the center. Every detailing done was something interesting to look at, be it a suspended bicycle from a tree with an open bar, or an impressive collection of culinary books placed on the tables – the entire setup was impressive!
As with any impressive setup where so much care is taken over outward appearance, there is always a concern that substance has been sacrificed in the name of Style. Thankfully, that was not the case, Chef Aungshuman and his team’s emphasis on variety, abolished the notion that dining rustically inexorably eradicates choice. From lamb chops to chicken, fresh seafood and corn on the cob coupled with flavorful biryani and churros – each dish were prepared on-site at the farm.
“Finding the perfect spot that showcases the beauty of Telangana has been a top priority” says Chef Angshuman pointing towards the open paddy fields and boulders. “It’s not about the fancy food or over the top food presentation, it’s purely about the soul-satisfying homely preparation of earthy ingredients” he continues as he explains how he and his culinary team built the clay stove from the scratch and supervised the rustic preparations.
All in all, an otherworldly atmosphere coupled with rustic yet flavourful dishes made The Great Outdoors with Marriot Hyderabad an edible experience which would be cherished for a long time to come and I can’t wait for its next edition.
Vishal Fernandes is a seasoned traveller and a widely recognized blogger who has established himself as an authority on all things luxury. He loves wearing a blazer and has a fine collection of brogues. Vishal can mainly be found travelling the world and stopping off at some of the best hotels sampling their food & wines, or at some of the most prolific events. Along with his love for Food, Travel and wines, comes a massive enthusiasm for cars & watches.
