Chef Veena Arora is so synonymous with the award-winning Spice Route restaurant at the Imperial Hotel that it is impossible to imagine visiting the restaurant without her presence. Her happy demeanour, her sweet smile and friendly repartees are something one enjoys while enjoying each and every dish that gets a motherly touch from her. This time Chef Veena, Chef de Cuisine at the Spice Route decided to delve deep into nostalgia and her love for ducks back home in Thailand combined with dishes from Vietnam, Malaysia, Kerala and Sri Lanka as she delicately curated the first every Duck Tasting by Chef Veena Arora in association with USAPEEC (US Poultry & Egg Export Council) where we were invited to taste the delicacies with light banters that seemed to make the Delhi winter lunch even more enjoyable. 

Each recipe discovers the finer nuances of regional flavours to bring the exquisite culinary preparations at the restaurant, till 17^th December 2021.

Talking about the concept behind this promotion, Chef Veena Arora said “ Duck has been my favourite dish as it is nutritious and versatile and I can enjoy it in any form whether in curries or dry roasted, even more during my trips abroad. So my recipes in the Duck Tasting menu made with U.S. Duck features Duck curry, Roasted Duck served with fresh vegetables in rice sheets which is extremely healthy, Duck with rice vermicelli noodles and many more flavourful delights. After decades of experience in the industry, I realize that going back to our traditional cuisine is something we can never miss out on. I decided to look inwards and spotlight various regions of South East Asia while taking inspiration from some of my favorite traditional delicacies like, Mutton pepper fry from Kerala has been revisited as a Duck specialty with Taarav Pepper Fry. Also Sri Lankan Fish Thel Dala which has been extremely popular at The Spice Route, is Duck Thel Dala in this menu, to present something unique, healthy with diverse flavors and ingredients.  These recipes are a complete departure from the regular ones, generally associated with these regions.

“Local food culture not only inspires us in our daily lives but helps us to stay connected with our roots. As I was born and brought up in Thailand, my biggest dream has always been to bring the traditions of South East Asia to the Indian Palate at The Spice Route. Now with Duck Tasting, I am happy to bring forth traditional dishes which have not been explored earlier and have not been part of this restaurant’s menus, ever,” she adds.

The menu offers Chef's Special (roasted duck and fresh vegetables wrapped in Vietnamese rice sheets) Mee Ped Yang (Thai rice vermicelli noodles stir fried with roasted duck), Kaeng Phed Ped Yand (roasted Duck, Rambutan, cherry tomatoes simmered in Thai red curry) Duck Thel Dala (roasted duck stir fried with Worcester sauce, tomato with bell peppers Sri Lankan style), Duck Rendng(roasted duck in Malaysian curry) and many more satiating recipes.

While the duck tasting lunch covered a vast array of conversation ranging from duck eating in parts of India to recipes, the highlight of the afternoon was a quick cook-out by the chef showing us how to make yummy spicy roasted duck salad the Yum Ped Yang. As always it is her way of giving her signature touch to a fine afternoon and for us a brand new recipe to explore at home. 

Duck tasting is on at The Spice Route till : 17^th December 2021

Timings: 12:30-2:45pm | 7:00pm-10:45pm | For table reservations, call 41116605

Meal for one: INR 10000 + taxes, without alcohol