EVENT & EXHIBITIONS 2 CHENNAI INSPIRING ENTREPRENEUR 14 SPICE CONTENTS 21 PARENTAL EXPECTATIONS 23 KITCHEN KEMISTRY 24 CELL PHONES BOON OR BANE 27 EVENT & EXHIBITIONS 30 HAIR RAISING QUERIES 37 TETE- A- TETE 41 ART & CULTURE 43 WE LOVE THIS STUFF around Chennai this week.
Parveen Sikkandar, CEO, Damini Artisans shares her views on entrepreneurship.
Can it motivate children? Dr.Mini Rao analyses.
Cheryl Rajkumar’s Banana Bran Muffins
Sheethal Jayakrishna takes a look.
Last week in Chennai
Dr. Talat Salim replies.
with Kamalika Krishmy, Super Chef Contest Winner
Learn & Play with AIMA
Product Catalogue by Paisley Bay
CHENNAI SPICE | FEBRUARY 9th 2013 | 3
EVENTS
CinC
AROUND CHENNAI THIS WEEK.
EDGE DESIGN HOUSE, CHENNAI.
& EXHIBITIONS
CLARITY IN CONFUSION
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2013. 6:00PM - 8:00PM.
CinC - A Melodic Rock, Alternative, Fusion & Indian Light Music Band. CinC consists of a blend of musical influences. Arjun Menon is trained in the varied elements of vocals ranging from Carnatic to Hindustani and Western and currently works with well known names in the industry such as Mr. Harris Jayaraj. Bharath Ram is an extremely talented and motivated bass guitarist who constantly pushes himself to outperform himself and also represents popular bands such as Oxygen. Karthik Ananth, the primary composer for CinC is a grade 3 Trinity student who focuses his musical skill to compose songs for the band and also numerous jingles, some for Websites as well. Rahul Ramachandran is a professionally trained Carnatic percussionist who has now forayed into Western percussion to improve his understanding of music. Eric Irani is one of the well known Western Classical guitarists in Chennai. He plays for some of the top bands in the city.
Registration fee of Rs.100/- is payable at the venue, Edge Design House, Chennai. Limited seats. Entry by RSVP only.
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T: +91 44 24413343
facebook.com/cinctheband CHENNAI SPICE | FEBRUARY 9th 2013 | 4
EVENTS
By Hand From & EXHIBITIONS The Heart AROUND CHENNAI THIS WEEK.
FEBRUARY 2013 SHOW, GALLERY SRI PARVATI, ELDAMS ROAD, TEYNAMPET
FRIDAY & SATURDAY 8th & 9th FEBRUARY 10.00AM - 8:00PM
10th Edition & our 1st event for the new year! 1. THE HANDMADE MARKETPLACE: A marketplace for all things handmade presented by participants from Delhi, Rourkela, Satara, Vijayawada, Bangalore and Chennai. This segment at the event will showcase handmade, handwoven, handcrafted and homemade creations in different areas of craft and design. 2. CRAFT SHOWCASE: FOLDING FOR A CAUSE - a display of Origami sculptures by Kartik & Subash, Co-Founders of Origami Society of Madras. The sale proceeds of the Origami Sculptures will go towards funding Origami Workshops for under-privileged children. 3. SATURDAY LIVE!: Ojo-de-Dios Workshop - A Native American Hand Weaving Art, workshop will be conducted by Ms. Jayashree & Sandhya (Chennai). Stay connected to the event page for Vendor announcements, product previews, product spotting, contests and workshop info.
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M: +91 94444 14227
facebook.com/byhandfromtheheart CHENNAI SPICE | FEBRUARY 9th 2013 | 5
EVENTS
Chennai Rises With & EXHIBITIONS One Billion Rising AROUND CHENNAI THIS WEEK.
PHOENIX MARKET CITY MALL
THURSDAY, 14th FEBRUARY 06.30PM - 8:30PM
One In Three Women On The Planet Will Be Raped Or Beaten In Her Lifetime. One Billion Women Violated Is An Atrocity One Billion Women Dancing Is A Revolution On 14 February 2013, ONE BILLION women and those who love them will WALK OUT, DANCE, RISE UP, and DEMAND an end to this violence. What does ONE BILLION look like? On 14 February 2013, V-DAY, CHENNAI RISES to support this GREAT fight against gender-based violence! Join us at the brand new Phoenix Market City Mall, at 6:30 pm for an evening of ACTION, for an evening of CONNECTION through ART and an evening of SOLIDARITY! Performance by various bands and dance troops Appearances & motivation by several celebrities & artists Call to action by established activists and organisations This is the most unique & energetic way to raise our voices... Be there!
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facebook.com/ChennaiRisesWithOneBillionRising CHENNAI SPICE | FEBRUARY 9th 2013 | 6
EVENTS
Madras & EXHIBITIONS Shopping Sandhai AROUND CHENNAI NEXT WEEK.
EXPRESS AVENUE, ROYAPETTAH
THURSDAY, 16th & 17th FEBRUARY 06.30PM - 8:30PM
The biggest flea market cum carnival that Chennai has ever seen! Catch a celebration of arts, crafts, music, flea market, food and more at the Madras Shopping Sandhai! Catch live bands, folk performances, arts & crafts activity center for kids and more! A flea market by artists, designers, hobbyists etc! A bazaar cum carnival which has something for everyone!A platform to showcase your products! There is also a Baker’s Bazaar for the home bakers, competition for kids and women! Gear up Chennai for a soul filling weekend in Feb! Express Estates, Whites Road. Feb 16-17, 2013. Interested in keeping a stall or conducting workshops or sponsorships? Mail us at madrasshoppingsandhai@gmail.com Want to just volunteer and have fun? We would love to have u on board! Just mail us what your interests are!
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M: +91 97909 82025
facebook.com/madrasshoppingsandhai CHENNAI SPICE | FEBRUARY 9th 2013 | 7
EVENTS
Palash presents & EXHIBITIONS Valentine Bazaar. AROUND CHENNAI THIS WEEK.
AMBUJAM’S LOUNGE, WHITES ROAD, ROYAPETTAH
SATURDAY & SUNDAY 9th & 10th FEBRUARY 10.00AM - 8:00PM
This exhibition is for your loved ones. Gift your loved ones with lots of exciting stuffs. Designers from across India are coming down to Chennai only for you and your loved ones. Products on display are -
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Exclusive Sarees
Salwars
Kurtis
Designer Womens Hangbags
Designer & Customized Jewelry
And Much More.
M: +91 9841840055
facebook.com/events/560994753930035/ CHENNAI SPICE | FEBRUARY 9th 2013 | 8
EVENTS
Landmark Sale & EXHIBITIONS Upto 70% off AROUND CHENNAI THIS WEEK.
UPTILL MONDAY 25th FEBRUARY 10.00AM - 8:00PM
ALL LANDMARK STORES
Landmark Sale – Upto 70% OFF! The sale is on till the 25th of February, the Landmark sale has never before discounts on products across all categories. And to make this Sale even more enticing, Landmark has tied up with Axis Bank, to offer customers an additional 10% discount on bill values over Rs 1500/-, if they use their Axis Bank debit or credit cards, to make the payment. This year’s sale outdoes the last year, with heavy discounts on assorted merchandise. The highlights of the sale include: bestselling books at a starting price of Rs. 49/-, 3 for 2 on the Top 500 new releases and bestsellers in books, 70% OFF on Graphic Novels International Magazines at the Landmark price of Rs. 99/-, Upto 50% OFF on toys with great discounts on Squap, Scrabble, Pictionary, Puzzles, and a whole range of remote controlled toys that will ensure that there’s something for each one in the family!
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facebook.com/landmarkstores CHENNAI SPICE | FEBRUARY 9th 2013 | 9
EVENTS
One Day Study & EXHIBITIONS Management AROUND CHENNAI THIS WEEK.
SCHOOL OF SUCCESS, R A PURAM; MAHALINGAPURAM
MONDAY 23rd FEBRUARY 10.00AM - 4:00PM
It’s Exam time! Creative techniques to stay focused; increase memory; concentration skills. And most importantly, Helping children take charge and make studies FUN! :-)) School of Success, a Chennai based organisation that conducts ‘transformational’ programs for children helping them take charge of their lives at an early age, announces its Study Management Leadership. Price: Rs. 850/- per child (includes snacks and lunch)
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facebook.com/schoolofsuccess.in CHENNAI SPICE | FEBRUARY 9th 2013 | 10
EVENTS
Organic Tasting & EXHIBITIONS Session AROUND CHENNAI THIS WEEK.
NATURE’S NEST, G-1, GEMS COURT, KNK ROAD
SUNDAY 10th FEBRUARY 2.00PM - 6:15PM
Is Organic Food More tastier than the conventional food? Is Organic food healthier? Is Organic Food better for my Child? Well these are some of the questions that we have. Get an Answer to all your questions. Drop in on 10th Feb 2 pm - 7 pm and get a taste of Organic at our “Special Sunday Tasting Party”.
STYLE
QUOTIENT THIS WEEK
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M: +91 9962020205
This season, get stylish with watches from French Connection. Rare and highly sought after British design features have been combined with perfection in this new timepiece by French Connection. The casing, polished ion-plating in yellow gold with stainless steel, are enhanced with a single row Czech crystal stone bezel, all encasing an elegant black mother-of-pearl 39.5mm dial. The inner standout features of gold indices at 12, 3, 6 and 9h, highlight the centrepiece brand name, flowing into the natural beauty and sleekness of a black calf leather strap/ bracelet. This timepiece connects British style with French elegance, creating a timeless and fashion forward statement every woman spends their life searching for. These exquisite time pieces are available at Helios stores, Shopper Stop, Lifestyle stores and select multi-brand outlets. CHENNAI SPICE | FEBRUARY 9th 2013 | 11
EVENTS
Organic Terrace & EXHIBITIONS Garden Workshop AROUND CHENNAI THIS WEEK.
ASHVITA BISTRO, NO.11, BAWA ROAD, ALWARPET
SUNDAY 17th FEBRUARY 4.00PM
Eco Alternatives and Ashivta Bistro invite you to an ‘Organic Terrace Garden Workshop’. All gardening enthusiasts keep yourself free on Sunday, Feb 17th. By popular demand we are having our rooftop gardening workshop once again between 4pm - 6pm at Ashvita Bistro, Chennai. Horticulturalist Mr. Harish Krishnamoorthy will tell us simple traditional organic farming techniques that can be applied to your home garden. A good way to learn the basics of growing your own veggies at home. Special topics include a practical look into the usage of Panchagavyam, Vermicompost ,Coir Pith for potting, hints on pest, disease management, identifying and trouble shooting disorders in plants.
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M: +91 9444163129 CHENNAI SPICE | FEBRUARY 9th 2013 | 12
EVENTS
Cocktail Fashion & EXHIBITIONS Collezione AROUND CHENNAI THIS WEEK.
ARINGAR ANNA ARANGAM
MONDAY 6th & 7th MARCH 10.00AM - 8:00PM
50 Unique Designers under one destination, presenting the finest collection of Haut Couture, Pret Wear, Indian Couture, Designer wear, Jewelry, Accessories, Home furnishings, other lifestyle products and much more. Stall bookings open.
STYLE
QUOTIENT THIS WEEK
CONNECT
M: +91 88700 59294 / +91 98418 40055
Get ‘Tagged’ this Valentine’s Day The laws of attraction are brought to life with Titan’s exciting range of watches Valentine’s Day has found its place as a special occasion that draws people of a kind together. The new range of watches for young men and women recently added to the Tagged collection from Titan gives relevance to these laws of attraction. Starting at Rs. 1495/-, these watches are colourful, bold and reflect the attitude of young adults who know what they want and choose to play for keeps. The name itself is derived from the popular Internet term of ‘tagging’ yourself to all that you feel a part of. The collection represents coming together of like minded individuals making it a perfect gift for the occasion. Tagged by Titan is available in all Titan stores, Departmental Stores and all leading Multi-Brand Outlets. CHENNAI SPICE | FEBRUARY 9th 2013 | 13
CHENNAI SPICE FEATURE
INSPIRING ENTREPRENEUR PARVEEN SIKKANDAR CEO, Damini Artisans IN CONVERSATION WITH
Sumita Pai
Ask yourself if you would do this on a daily basis for the next 10 years! PARVEEN SAYS
SHOP NOW
Q.What do you typically tell people when they ask you what you do? A.The first thing I check with them is whether they know about
my brand DAMINI? If they do, I go on to tell them that I head the team. And if they don’t, I still tell them that I am the Creative Head / Founder-Director of DAMINI ARTISANS. I am also a freelance food critic, a broadcast journalist and a visiting faculty at a number of colleges in Chennai. Q.How did you come to be an entrepreneur? A.I was widowed in 2002 at the age of 27 with my seven-year-
old son by my side. I didn’t have to worry about my finances as everything was taken care of. But I felt a need to make something of my life. I used to get frustrated as I didn’t know about anything beyond the confines of my household. So, I enrolled for a correspondence course in MA Journalism. While pursuing my degree, I applied to Doordarshan’s National News Channel for a job in political news reporting for the Metro Scan segment. The turning point came one day when I was doing a documentary on rural craftsmen selling their wares at the Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple. Most of the shops from where I had purchased little things during my childhood were gone. Many sellers blamed the advent of malls for this decline. And, I noticed how even the wealthy buyers haggled over the prices with the craftsmen. But then, these shoppers would never bargain at malls. M: +91 44 4218 8774
www.daminiartisans.com CHENNAI SPICE | FEBRUARY 9th 2013 | 14
CHENNAI SPICE FEATURE
INSPIRING ENTREPRENEUR PARVEEN SIKKANDAR CEO, Damini Artisans
I thought about this for many days and found the answer to why we bargain with poor vendors. It is because all of us are inherently afraid when we look at modern-day systems. From credit cards and security checks to computer generated bills, bar-coded products, fancy carry-bags and so on. The rural vendors do not have any of these contraptions. Hence, we haggle with them even if we know they are offering us the best price. I wanted to build a brand where vendors could sell their products at a fair price under a trusted label. So, I set up the brand DAMINI ARTISANS within a month.
from such reactions, nor did it bother me as it was I who was heading the brand. No one knew how I operated, or what my long team plans or goals were. I had started the business with the sole objective of running it successfully and not closing it at any point in time.
Q.When you started out in business, what specific idea,
at Damini, now with Landmark, Dubai), “Ms. Parveen is extremely honest and punctual. Timely payment of salary to the staff and ensuring their well-being is high on the list of priorities for her company. Ms. Parveen believes in 100% adherence to the payment of taxes and duties to the government.” Syed Imran (former staff member at Damini, Kozhikode), “Ms. Parveen places immense faith in people. She never hesitates to tell them on their faces if they had done something wrong. She ensures timely remuneration to her employees and is extremely focused on her business.” Dinesh Jain (Designer based in Meerut), “Ontime payment, every single time, is her strength.
purpose or vision was your key driving force? A. The purpose of the business was to provide a global platform
for skilled artisans. The only way to reach the masses was to piggyback on chain stores in prime locations. When I spoke to the merchandisers of chain stores, they liked the idea of selling products I had sourced from villages. I had a vision to establish the brand in all major metros, which became a reality in 2007. Q. What’s the toughest feedback you’ve ever received and how did you learn from it? A. Many in Chennai said that the brand was too small to
make it big and would not sustain even for a year. Even members of my family thought it was some sort of a pastime and that I would eventually give up. I didn’t imbibe anything SHOP NOW
M: +91 44 4218 8774
Q.If I called three people who have worked with you, how would they describe you? A. Thomas Joseph (former manager
www.daminiartisans.com CHENNAI SPICE | FEBRUARY 9th 2013 | 15
CHENNAI SPICE FEATURE
INSPIRING ENTREPRENEUR PARVEEN SIKKANDAR CEO, Damini Artisans
Parveen is brutally honest and will call a spade, a spade. She would never sit around and make small talk when on business. She always has her agenda marked clearly. She has a wonderful sense of humour and is totally committed to her work.”
achievement as the brightest minds from the IITs and IIMs were competing in this event.
Q. What makes you stand out from the others?
A. Sometime back, at an investor meet in New
A. Our products are not generic or factory-churned replicas.
We specialize in jhumkas and we are clearly a monopoly in this category. Q. Who has inspired you in your life and why? A. I draw my inspiration from small
scale vendors who are specialists in their businesses. They aren’t armed with the financial backing of multi-Crore bank loans or a rich uncle who can fund them. They work harder than a colony of ants and ensure that they sustain their business inspite of all hurdles, because for them, it is their only source of income.
Q. What’s your most memorable experience as an entrepreneur?
Delhi, I was explaining my business model to a panel comprising three Canadian bigwigs. They were all smiles throughout my presentation, much to my wonder. Towards the end of the session, the trio fished out a set of wind chimes made by Damini Artisans. Apparently, they had bought the chimes at the Indira Gandhi International Airport that morning, en route to the meet.
Q. What do you consider to be your greatest achievement? A. Setting up a sustainable business model and knowing that it
is one of India’s top business ideas in recent years. I was selected as a finalist in the Economic Times Power of Ideas (2009) from 17, 800 entries across India. I consider this to be a huge SHOP NOW
M: +91 44 4218 8774
www.daminiartisans.com CHENNAI SPICE | FEBRUARY 9th 2013 | 16
CHENNAI SPICE FEATURE
INSPIRING ENTREPRENEUR PARVEEN SIKKANDAR CEO, Damini Artisans
Q. What does a day-in-the-life of Parveen
Q. What’s the biggest issue you struggle with as an
consist of?
entrepreneur?
A. I am a newspaper junkie. I read five
A. In business, 90% of the people you encounter are never
newspapers in a day. I don’t have a set routine and I still love cleaning the kitchen! I used to do that full time before I became an entrepreneur. I call my mom every day and give her a roundup of all the gossip in the city. Mornings I spend replying to emails, meeting up with staff and new vendors, finishing bank work, sorting out bills and running a few errands. Lunch is usually at home. At noon, I watch something on the telly or read a book and rest for an hour. In the evening, people would drop in to meet me and discuss ideas to help run their business. I then meet a few staff members informally over tea and snacks, spend some time with them and inquire about their families. My dinner is always early – at 5. 30 or 6 pm max. I eat out a lot. Since most restaurants in Chennai open at 7 pm, my son and I often have a good sit-down dinner and talk about the day’s happenings and share jokes. I have lots of friends living overseas. I chat with them for a while before calling it a day at 11.
Q. How do you generate profitable customers for your
SHOP NOW
M: +91 44 4218 8774
honest. Honesty is certainly my greatest asset, but it’s also a liability in these times. I expect honesty from everyone. However, even artisans tend to mislead me. There was this one craftsman who told me that he made original, exquisite jewelry boxes all by himself and sold a huge quantity to me. But I spotted his same ‘unique creation’ in the Thai Exhibition at Chennai Trade center. Every day, I get to meet dishonest people. As an entrepreneur, I find it tough dealing with them on a regular basis. Most of them have no respect for other people’s time and seldom keep their word.
business? What unusual approaches do you adopt for marketing your products/services? A. Repeat customers are our greatest strength. We have
exceptional products desired by customers all over the world, who want to own exclusive items. Our staff members are taught to be polite at all times and dissuaded from arguing with customers, even if the latter are in the wrong. We are present in high profile stores like Odyssey and Landmark, which again offers a wider reach. Damini, as a policy, does not use pictures or stories of artisans to market its products. We believe the product sells by itself. www.daminiartisans.com CHENNAI SPICE | FEBRUARY 9th 2013 | 17
CHENNAI SPICE FEATURE
INSPIRING ENTREPRENEUR PARVEEN SIKKANDAR CEO, Damini Artisans
Q. If you could be anything other than an entrepreneur,
Q. What creative things do you do to
what would it be and why?
develop a friendly corporate culture?
A. I would just like to read a book, sit at home and cook a
A. I do not do anything ‘creative’ to form a
meal for my family. We constantly look forward to approval and acknowledgement from others. I guess that’s why many of us run around in circles. I don’t want to be anything if I were not an entreprenuer.
company culture. I believe people gravitate towards you if you are genuine, truthful and do not put on an act. Birds of the same feather flock together, don’t they? (laughs)
Q. Looking back, what’s the one thing you would do
Q. How do you think being an entrepreneur
differently?
has turned you into a better person?
A. I was very focused on setting up the business on a solid
A. I am more tolerant towards the viewpoints of
foundation. I wouldn’t do anything to disrupt that plan. I got the formula right and if I were to change that, I could go wrong. So, I would not have done anything differently.
others. I have also learned to exercise patience on the home front. I value money as it is never easy to earn. I am more at peace knowing that life is so unpredictable and fragile.
Q. If you could offer a first-time entrepreneur only one piece of advice, what would it be? A. Ask yourself if you would do this on a daily basis for the next
10 years. If the answer is no, never get into business. Q. When starting out on a new business, who are the likely possible partners or professional service providers you would recommend every entrepreneur work with? A. Work with someone who has more experience than you. Go
with a professional service provider who has noteworthy clients and ensure they do not experiment with you. SHOP NOW
M: +91 44 4218 8774
www.daminiartisans.com CHENNAI SPICE | FEBRUARY 9th 2013 | 18
EVENTS
Chennai Adoption & EXHIBITIONS Drive (CAD) AROUND CHENNAI THIS WEEK.
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78/1, MCNICHOLS ROAD, CHETPET
M: +91 89393 11148
SUNDAY 17TH FEBRUARY 10.00AM - 3:00PM
facebook.com/ChennaiAdoptionDrive CHENNAI SPICE | FEBRUARY 9th 2013 | 19
EVENTS
Chennai Adoption & EXHIBITIONS Drive (CAD) AROUND CHENNAI THIS WEEK.
CONNECT
78/1, MCNICHOLS ROAD, CHETPET
M: +91 89393 11148
SUNDAY 17TH FEBRUARY 10.00AM - 3:00PM
facebook.com/ChennaiAdoptionDrive CHENNAI SPICE | FEBRUARY 9th 2013 | 20
CHENNAI SPICE FEATURE
PARENTAL EXPECTATIONS
DR MINI RAO
There is nothing wrong in parents having expectations from their children but very high expectations are very damaging for their children’s self-esteem and confidence.
Parental expectations can motivate children to build a strong mind and encourage them to achieve their best academic performance.
school/college and added nagging by parents to achieve makes their lives miserable. Let’s face the truth. Not every child is extraordinary or an achiever. The extraordinary
But to expect them to reach the impossible will only lead to
ones comprise only 1-3 percent of the child
disappointment and lowering of their child’s self confidence
population. That is to say, most children are
in the long run. Parental expectations should be realistic
ordinary and should seek an ordinary development
and achievable as parents are the ones who know the exact
path. Sadly, many parents have unrealistic
potential of their children. Pushing them to achieve what
expectations for their children which results in
is beyond their capabilities leaves a long term negative
a huge gap between expectations and actual
impact on their child who may suffer severe consequences
achievement.
due to the failure.
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PSYCHOLOGIST
Why the focus only on only academic
Parents attach overriding importance to education instead
performance?! It is well known that a child’s
of focusing on the all-round development of their child.
comprehensive development involves physical and
The need of the hour is to emphasize on values, ethics
also cognitive, intellectual, emotional and moral
and developing the child’s personality. Academics are very
development. Every parent wants their child to
overrated compared to an all-round development which is
achieve to their potential but it is time for some
underrated. Many children get depressed and stressed by
parents to curb their expectations and keep
the fierce competition that they face from their peers at
them realistic.
M: +91 9841132702
facebook.com/pages/Psychologist/166879676732186 CHENNAI SPICE | FEBRUARY 9th 2013 | 21
CHENNAI SPICE FEATURE
FROM CHILDREN TO PARENTS
FOR PARENTS
1. We know ourselves better than anyone else. Listen to us
If you want to have your children behave well, achieve to
and we’ll listen to you.
the best of their potential, it’s not going to happen if you
2. We have our best interests at heart and also yours in
nag or reprimand them. You will have to tell them how and
mind.
in a positive way. Negative words like “don’t” or “no” will
3. Learn to appreciate our strengths and acknowledge our
never work.
weaknesses.
1. Explain to your child what you expect of him or her.
4. Talk to us. We want to know what is happening.
PARENTAL EXPECTATIONS
DR MINI RAO PSYCHOLOGIST
With children... it is a fact that most parents criticize children more than they laud or congratulate them. We tend to be quick to
2. Give them positive reinforcement like appreciation or a
criticize, slow to praise. We should be careful
little gift for the good things they do.
to keep the praise and the expectations far
6. Be honest with us and we will do the same.
3. Have your child repeat back to you what you
ahead of the criticism.
7. We all have limitations. This is all we can do, don’t push
expect him/her to do and how it will benefit him/her.
us beyond that.
4. Wait for your child to start meeting
8. Smile, laugh, and enjoy life. Your enthusiasm is
the expectation, and then give
contagious to us, your children, you are our role models
positive attention or any other
after all.
reward to reinforce
5. Initiate communication with us, we would really like that.
that behaviour.
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M: +91 9841132702
facebook.com/pages/Psychologist/166879676732186 CHENNAI SPICE | FEBRUARY 9th 2013 | 22
CHENNAI SPICE YUMM SERIES
BANANA BRAN MUFFINS CHERYL RAJKUMAR FOOD BLOGGER Wholesome breakfast muffins made with ingredients right from your pantry. Ripe bananas lend sweetness, plain yogurt lends moisture and wheat bran lends texture to these fibre rich nutritious muffins.
MAKES 12 STANDARD MUFFINS INGREDIENTS 3/4 cup all purpose flour or Maida ¾ cup wheat bran 1/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar. Can be replaced with jaggery 1 cup mashed ripe banana ½ cup plain yogurt/curd, lightly whipped 6 tbsp unsalted butter or 5 tbsp oil 1 ¾ tsp baking powder 1 egg * can be replaced with flax meal substitute for egg free muffins Pinch of salt ¼ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
METHOD • Preheat the oven to 350 degree F/ 180 degree C. Line the muffin pan with liners or grease with oil. • Cream butter/oil and sugar until fluffy. Stir in egg/ flax meal sub until combined. • Mix bananas and yogurt. Mix flour, bran, salt and baking powder. • Fold in the butter mixture with banana mixture. Now add the flour mixture gently stirring only until combines. Do not over mix. • Spoon the mixture into liners or greased muffin pan to twothirds full. Sprinkle nuts on top of the muffin batter. Gently press. • Bake for 25-30 mins or until a skewer inserted in the center of a muffin comes out clean. • Cool muffins in the pan for 5 mins and then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. • Serve warm or store at room temperature for 2 days. Refrigerate for a week or deep freeze for a month. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and microwave for 15-20 seconds before serving.
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NOTE – Ripe bananas can be frozen until ready to use. The skin turns black upon freezing. Don’t worry, the banana flesh is perfectly good for use in cooking. Peel and defrost for few mins and use as per the instructions in the recipe.
http://kitchenkemistry.wordpress.com/ CHENNAI SPICE | FEBRUARY 9th 2013 | 23
CHENNAI SPICE FEATURE I wake up and lazily stretch my hands out to pull aside the curtain. The sun is not fully up Cell Phones yet, but in the hazy morning light I can see BOON OR BANE all the plants lined up outside my balcony. SHEETHAL JAYAKRISHNA The Ceenias are still in full bloom and the LANGUAGE MENTOR little tomatoes on my little tomato plant seem to be a tad bigger than yesterday. I doctor’s clinics and hospitals. Their home being far away smile contently glad to have woken up with from the city, this gadget gave her parents some comfort. the alarm. But usage was heavily restricted as the incoming and
Automatically my hands stretch out pick up my phone and click on the Facebook icon. No, no, screams a little someone in my head, not now. But I find myself glancing quickly through status updates. It barely takes a few seconds if not a minute, before I put the phone down and plunge headlong into the morning rush of getting the family off to school and work. Okay let me make something clear here. I am not talking about Facebook but about the ubiquitous Mobile….what it has come to mean in our lives today. I remember my friend getting her first mobile phone in 98’or 99’ a giant Motorola. A heavy thick instrument which she purchased and which was approved by her parents only because she had started working with a reputed pharmaceutical company and her job meant long hours at the
outgoing charges were at Rs. 8. I marvelled at the phone which my friend claimed could also be used as a selfdefence weapon. Believe me that phone weighed nearly 500 gms and if used correctly, could prove lethal. My sister got herself a Nokia a couple of years after she started working, for similar reasons as that of my friend. Being in an AD agency meant late hours and I harassed her happily on the phone. My boyfriend then went on to get himself a phone which again piqued my interest. This was much smaller, a Mitsubishi which had to be flipped open to dial or speak. I thought it was smashing as I had always been a huge Star trek fan and his phone reminded me of The captain and Dr.Spock. Around this time, on a holiday to Hong Kong, I came across a street sweeper busily chatting with somebody on her mobile phone. This completely threw me!! Note, that I still did not have a phone of my own even though I was working for a reputed airline at this time. CHENNAI SPICE | FEBRUARY 9th 2013 | 24
I am sure on some level this spurred me on to finally get my own phone. By this time, Prepaid plans suited to the pocket saw the usage of mobile phones shoot up. Free Sms or Sms packs spurred us on. As the software developed, we could even express our emotions, which until that time, was restricted to the correct combination of symbols. Emoticons had arrived! As the software developed more and more it seemed ironically that people grew more and more apart. Were we more connected, or on another level, starting to completely disconnect from those around us.? Have you ever met up with friends or family and found them more deeply engrossed in some virtual conversation with a friend, rather than with you who is with them in person. How did it make you feel? Have you ever felt annoyed or have you become indifferent and started a conversation of your own on your phone. Then again there are another section of people who become completely oblivious to their surroundings the moment they are on a call. It would be wise to contemplate for a moment as to what this states about your relationship with each other. DO CHECK
Today there is so much being said and written about Mobile phone etiquette and it would be wonderful if all users could abide by some rules and regulations. Sometimes I wonder if Mobile phone etiquette should actually be included in some part of the school curriculum. So what is Mobile phone etiquette? In simple terms it is the common courtesy used while using a mobile phone in public. How many of us get annoyed when a person is seen talking loudly in public. While many of us can ignore such an occurrence, the same cannot be said of a person who finds themselves stuck near such a stranger for e.g.; in a public transport or a queue at some place. Another major irritant is when you are engaged in a deep conversation with someone and they choose to answer a call. This causes a complete break in our thought process and also makes you question if the other person was paying any attention to the conversation. Answering calls at private social engagements is also considered rude by many. There are a few simple dos and don’ts that should be followed by all Mobile phone users. Firstly
CHENNAI SPICE TIPS
COOK’S
TIP SHEET CHITRA VISWANTHAN
HOW TO PRESERVE FRESH CURRY LEAVES WITH FLAVOUR INTACT The best way to preserve curry leaves is to wash, dry; microwave & powder, every time you buy curry leaves with vegetables. 1. Wash and dry the curry leaves completely. 2. Remove the leaves from the stems and spread them in a microwave bowl. 3. Microwave the leaves for 2-3 minutes on high. The time should be increased if you are planning to preserve more leaves. 4. Cool and transfer to a small mixi and powder them. Powdered, the flavour remains fully. Directly use this when you temper or in cooking. The flavor is so good. The leaves are not thrown away, but used up in food.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/janell-burley-hofmann/iphone-contract-from-your-mom_b_2372493.html CHENNAI SPICE | FEBRUARY 9th 2013 | 25
switch to the vibrate option when at restaurants, waiting rooms, private social engagements etc. Switch off the phone when at places of worship, funerals, doctors and most importantly interviews. Believe me, I have personally seen a candidate who was applying for a very senior post, walk into an interview with the VP and Chairman of a certain company with his blue tooth device stuck to his ear. Needless to say he was excused from the interview in a matter of minutes. Do not answer calls while at the check-out counters or at the cashiers. They can be very distracting for you and annoying for others. If you do need to answer urgent calls, excuse yourself and make it a point to step away from the person, group or queue, and talk in a low tone, thus ensuring your privacy and respecting others. Make calls taken in public as brief as possible. One of the most important rules is to avoid talking while driving a vehicle. A huge section of people are afflicted today with a Mobile phone related illness. TSG. Short for Texting, Surfing, Gaming. Perhaps some of you may not agree to calling these activities an illness. But when these three facilities are over used or abused it is DO CHECK
most definitely an illness. When used wisely, these facilities can be great for communicating, entertaining and gathering information. But more often than not, we find people especially teens who have finally got their own device feverishly engaged in one of these activities oblivious to all that goes on around them. One can easily imagine how dangerous that can be in today’s world. Another concern among parents today is that they seem to be unsure on how to monitor their child’s activities with the phone. With the number of apps available today that password protects just about everything on the instrument, snooping around their rooms late at night hardly helps. To all those parents out there who are giving their child their first phone, it would be wise to sit down with them and outline the rules and regulations that go with the phone. If in doubt as to what should be communicated to the child , perhaps we could all take a few tips from this mother who has made out a set of rules to be followed by her son. Perhaps many of you have already come across this piece which has been
viral for a short while now. But for those of you who haven’t here’s the link. http:// www.huffingtonpost.com/janell-burleyhofmann/iphone-contract-from-yourmom_b_2372493.html I, for one definitely plan to write out a similar contract for my daughters!
CHENNAI SPICE TIPS
USEFUL
TIP SHEET HEMA VASUDEVAN
Mix a tablespoon of lime juice with a teaspoon of honey and apply on your face and neck for fifteen minutes. Wash away with normal water. This works as a natural bleach and can be done every week. To keep mosquitoes away keep a bowl of water with camphor pieces dropped in it in any corner of your room. Ensure that it us out of reach of pets or children.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/janell-burley-hofmann/iphone-contract-from-your-mom_b_2372493.html CHENNAI SPICE | FEBRUARY 9th 2013 | 26
EVENTS LAST WEEK A CS REPORT
Beauty Because Club THE LAUNCH
FRIDAY 1st FEBRUARY
Whether it is the cutting out of sagging skin by a cosmetic surgeon, chemical peeling supervised by a dermatologist, undergoing the alternate treatment of Unani, Homeopathy, Ayurvedic massages and medicines, or the relaxing gold facial at a beauty parlour, the ways of enhancing one’s beauty are many. Beauty Because Club is the single space at which ideas can be exchanged by experts who have shown results to give individuals the best possible options. “Often, I get models and people in the lime light who come to me with the lament that during photo shoots, photographers want them to look a certain way. They want to achieve that ‘certain’ way. And going On Feb 1st Chennai Plastic surgery opened a new
under the knife every time may not be the best option. I thought about
chapter in its young history.The Beauty Because
it for months on end, wondering how I could help them, when the idea
Club is a unique concept: totally conceptualized
of this club came up,” says Dr. Karthik of Chennai Plastic Surgery and
and thought out by Dr. Karthik, the founder of
now founder of Beauty Because Club.
Chennai Plastic Surgery.
“When Dr. Karthik approached me to inaugurate Beauty Because
What makes Beauty Because Club different is
Club, I was impressed by his unique concept and was more than
because it is confluence of all genres of beauty
willing to be a part of it. I know that everything Dr. Karthik does is for
coming together under one roof. This is to explore
the good of the beauty industry, and yes, everybody has a right to be
possibilities that support the cause of beauty.
beautiful,” says Mr. Kumaravel, founder and CEO of Naturals.
Because everybody has a right to be their best.
All experts at beauty enhancing are welcome to be part of Beauty
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EVENTS LAST WEEK A CS REPORT
Beauty Because Club THE LAUNCH
FRIDAY 1st FEBRUARY
Chetpet lane, Chennai Plastic Surgery has brought together dedicated doctors and other beauty specialists to form its team. Every team member has been carefully chosen for their genre of specialization and the individualized personal attention they give each patient, while making them feel completely comfortable. Dr. Karthik Ram: Specializing in Cosmetic Surgery and all kinds of liposuction, fat transplants, body sculpting and body contouring, Dr. Karthik has the expertise of a surgeon and the finesse of an artist. As word of his dedication to liposuction and the various other cosmetic surgery procedures spreads, his popularity increases, making him Because Club from Chennai Plastic Surgery. It is
a sought after expert. Celebrities and media stars seek him out for
a holistic approach to the real you.
liposuction and body sculpting procedures. His work is behind many
About Chennai Plastic Surgery: Located in a quiet
of the perfectly proportioned bodies we see on celluloid.
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CHENNAI SPICE QUERIES
HAIR RAISING QUESTIONS Q&A WITH
CS’s HAIR EXPERT
Till date i have not been able to judge my hair type, the scalp is very oily, where as the strands are ultra-dry, frizzy and rough. What kind of shampoo should i use?
ANSWER Many people have this problem, as your hair roots are closest to your oil glands the distribution of oil from scalp towards the hair is minimal. That is why your scalp is oily and hair is dry and frizzy. The best treatment is, Wash your scalp 3 times a week with a shampoo meant for oily hair, but lather the shampoo into your hair only twice a week, washing it lightly. When you need to wash only your scalp, avoid lathering into your hair. Use a conditioner meant for dry hair. Apply a serum or protective spray to your hair while it’s still damp. Do a deep conditioning or protein treatment at least twice a month to give your hair that extra nourishment it needs. Do a warm oil treatment at least 3times a month. Massage the oil well into your scalp to help increase blood circulation and stimulate the oil glands. Keep the oil on for no less than twenty minutes and no more than 2hrs, then shampoo it off. Brush your hair regularly, from root to tip,as this too will help stimulate the oil glands and carry the natural oils from your scalp to your hair.
DON’TS Avoid overwashing your hair. Don’t apply any oil to your scalp, unless it’s recommended by trichologist. Avoid overbrushing your hair as that will overstimulate the oil glands on your scalp to your hair.
MAIL US
DEEP CONDITIONING HAIR MASK
This is very rich treatment which is great for dry, damaged hair. Makes 1 portion: Fully ripened avocado 1 Egg yolk 1 Honey 1 tbsp Sweet almond oil 1 tbsp Plain yoghurt 2 tbsp PREPARATION: 1. Peel away the skin avocado. Cut into halves and remove the seed. 2. Place avocado in a food blender and blend until smooth. 3. Beat egg yolk, sweet almond oil and honey together until homogenous. Add yoghurt and mix until smooth. 4. Pour the mixture into the food blender together with the avocado puree. Blend until smooth. APPLICATION: 1. Dampen hair and pat dry with a towel,. Leaving the hair slightly damp. 2. Stir the mixture before use. 3. Apply the hair mask evenly onto hair, section by section. Apply on your hair shaft only, avoiding the scalp. 4. If you have long hair, bun it up before covering it with a shower cap. Then wrap with a towel to keep the hair firmly in place. 5. Allow the mask to work on your hair for 45mins before rinsing off thoroughly with warm water. 6. Shampoo your hair as usual. 7. Finish with apple cider vinegar conditioning hair rinse if you wish.
send in your hair related queries to chennaispiceletter@gmail.com CHENNAI SPICE | FEBRUARY 9th 2013 | 30
CHENNAI SPICE PANEL
HAIR RAISING EXPERT DR. TALAT SALIM
Dr. Talat Salim is a professional Trichologist (specializing in treatment of Hair and Scalp disorders) She is one of the very few Trichologists in south India. She completed her graduation from Dr. MGR Medical
CHENNAI SPICE
VALUE FOR MONEY
EAT OUT
University Tamil Nadu. She was awarded Gold Medal for securing highest marks in her batch. She completed her post-graduation (Doctor of Medicine) in alternative medicines from Indian Board of Alternate Medicine, Calcutta. She graduated Tricology from ‘The Trichological Society London’ UK with highest honours. She is a fully qualified Trichologist and Licentiate of Trichological Society, UK. Her unique specialism is the diagnosis, counselling and treatment of National & International patients suffering Scalp and Hair Diseases and Disorders like dandruff, scalp scaling conditions, scalp itching, seborrhoeic eczema, contact dermatitis, psoriasis, folliculitis, pigmentation of skin and warts removal. From her long established Sehat scalp and hair clinic in Chennai, she has successfully researched and developed her own products dealing exclusively with problems associated with Hair and Scalp. She has a wealth of expertise and experience in the successful treatment of the many conditions that can affect the hair and scalp.
MAIL US
Come enjoy the Weekday Buffet offer at Crimson Chakra Adyar! (Monday to Friday) The buffet option is available for Rs.500 only (inclusive of all taxes).
EVENTS LAST WEEK SUMITA PAI REPORTS
Baker Showcase Edition 3 EDITION 3 SLURPED UP BY CHENNAI-ITES!
This brilliant idea by KP Balakumar and Nanditha
tools and accessories on sale while Gourmet Market gave away their
Sashidharan has sent waves of delight through
ecofriendly bags and discount coupons. Both were co-sponsors of
many a foodie and dessert lover in the city. What
the show along with restaurant Crimson Chakra, which hosted the
idea you ask? The Baker Showcase event,
earlier two Baker Showcases last year.
that’s what! Started by the two above-mentioned
Each Baker Showcase event sees a number of new and aspiring
founders of the Home Bakers Guild (a Facebook
bakers along with those who have over a decade or two of baking
group), the Baker Showcase Edition 3 was a
experience. Almost all the home-bakers are homemakers. The few
super sold out success in less than 2 hours!!
that are still holding a day job, one day aspire to quit corporate slavery
The spacious auditorium with ample parking on
and start their own bakery/café/restaurant, or at the very least, set up
the school grounds of Asan Memorial School,
a home-based enterprise.
Anderson Road, Egmore, on the 2nd of February
An array of goodies ranging from Arabian desserts (Baklava), Orange
2013, saw many a footfall. Indeed, a sweet way
Tea Cakes & Lime Bars, Mixes-in-Jars, Exotic Berries-based Curd
to welcome the month of love with everyone’s
Jars, Pannacottas and Parfaits, Coloured and Flavoured Homemade
common passion for food! :-) All 14 participating
Chocolates, Pizza Muffins, Mini Pizzas, Bengali Sweets, Paan
bakers had empty tables and practically nil
Flavoured Cupcakes, Masala Chai Biscuits alongside the wide range
leftovers proving that Chennai-ites have a
of Brownies, Cupcakes, Puddings & Muffins were up for grabs. To
major sweet tooth! Their membership with the
add flavour to the Showcase and spice it up a bit, this time Biryanis,
Facebook group has propelled them out of their
ancient Muslim Sweets, Malabari Combo Meal Specialities, Quiches
kitchens and turned them into entrepreneurs with
and Lasagnes were added to the menus. Needless to say, each and
successful businesses almost overnight.
every item grabbed eyeballs and filled tummies, in that order!
SATURDAY 2nd FEBRUARY
Passionate Baking’s stall had colourful baking
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EVENTS LAST WEEK SUMITA PAI REPORTS
Baker Showcase Edition 3 EDITION 3 SLURPED UP BY CHENNAI-ITES!
SATURDAY 2nd FEBRUARY
For more coverage of the event, click here: http://suetospeak.blogspot. in/2013/02/humane-hbg-and-smash-hit-showcase.html. Many of the bakers have been profiled in detail on the blog as well. If you missed out on the event, their write-ups will give you an idea of what they offer and you can place orders for their signature dishes. Meanwhile, give your eyes a feast for the soul by ogling at the photographs of their goodies! The Baker Showcase is a quarterly event and if you’re a baker/chef or aspiring to be one, this is the page to follow and keep abreast of all things sweet, sugary and salted.
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EVENTS
Super Chef Chennai
A CS REPORT
THE PARK HOTEL, CHENNAI
LAST WEEK
CONNECT
SATURDAY & SUNDAY 2nd & 3rd FEBRUARY
Bringing to Chennai a first-of-its-kind cooking competition
women and children - with one common characteristic- the love of creating great food.
called SuperChef Chennai, the Madras Cosmopolitan Ladies
Best of all – proceeds of Rs 10 lakhs went to the Mahesh Memorial trust of the Adyar
Circle (MCLC) 38 had a two-day, high profile, competitive cook-
Cancer Institute for children.” says Farheen Pasha, Chairperson, MCLC 38.
off over the weekend of 2nd-3rd February 2013. The event was
The event was open to non-professionals and amateur cooks, aged above 15 for the
sponsored by the top German Kitchens Brand, Poggen Pohl and
general category, and 8-14 years for the Junior SuperChef category. The event called for
The Park Hotels, Chennai.
the whipping up of fantastic signature recipes in any of four categories – Entree, Main
“We at MCLC 38 have brought to Chennai a LIVE cook off
courses (either vegetarian or non-vegetarian), Desserts and the ‘Juniors’ category. There
- never before been done at this scale. We are very excited
was an overwhelming response of close to 500 applications across these 4 categories,
to have tapped the very current & very relevant trend of
from applicants from different walks of life in both English and Tamil.
competitive live cooking - that has dominating our collective
40 recipes in each category that impressed the judges on criteria of originality, creativity
conscience through our TV screens! We have targeted men,
and complexity made it to the Precooked Preliminary round on February 2, 2013. The
facebook.com/SuperchefChennai CHENNAI SPICE | FEBRUARY 9th 2013 | 34
EVENTS
Super Chef Chennai
A CS REPORT
THE PARK HOTEL, CHENNAI
LAST WEEK
CONNECT
SATURDAY & SUNDAY 2nd & 3rd FEBRUARY
Park hotels was a hub of activity as 160 contestants vied and
SuperChef pantry with undisclosed contents, all in front of the media’s and the celebrity
plated their dishes to impress The Park judges, comprising
judges’ watchful eyes. Up for grabs was the grand first prize in each category of exotic
Chef Rajesh, Chef Santosh and their teams, along with celebrity
holidays for two to Kumarakom or Goa sponsored by Jet Airways and The Park hotels
judges like Tarla Dalal and Vicky Ratnani of NDTV Good Times.
and high end kitchen appliances by Weber and Butterfly and gift hampers by Peekaboo
The Juniors Round was the most popular with the judges
Patterns and Naidu Hall.
bowled over by the knowledge of the children about cooking.
The result was a cracker of a competition with the most innovative and creative recipes
12 finalists in each category won and were presented their
taking center stage and the most dynamic cooks winning the hearts of the judges.
coveted ‘SuperChef Chennai Finalist’ aprons and were to be
The winning recipes were Zuchini Jalepeno Cheese Balls on a bed of capsicum salad
present for the final round the net day.
with herbs served with mint chutney by Kamalika Krishmy in Appetizers. Manoj
The Ultimate final cook-off took place on February 3, 2013 and
Padmanabhan won the Main Course category with his rendition of Caper & Orange
surpassed all expectations of participants, audience and judges
Glazed Fish. Mehak Melwanis Western Twist to an Indian Sweet- floored the judges in
in terms of organization, enthusiasm and culinary expertise.
Desserts whereas Roshan Raj won the Juniors segment with his Roasted Bell Pepper
This round comprised the 12 finalists being given their well
stuffed with Risotto.
earned spots in the SuperChef Chennai Kitchen with complete
The Madras Cosmopolitan ladies Circle felicitated the Mahesh Memorial Trust of the
individual workstations for the ultimate cooking challenge of
Adyar Cancer Institute for Children and presented a cheque of Rs 10 lakhs to them at the
their lives- live-cooking with a surprise ingredient box, and a
Awards banquets night as part of the proceeds of the event.
facebook.com/SuperchefChennai CHENNAI SPICE | FEBRUARY 9th 2013 | 35
EVENTS
Super Chef Chennai
A CS REPORT
THE PARK HOTEL, CHENNAI
LAST WEEK
CONNECT
SATURDAY & SUNDAY 2nd & 3rd FEBRUARY
facebook.com/SuperchefChennai CHENNAI SPICE | FEBRUARY 9th 2013 | 36
EVENTS
Super Chef Contest Winner
A CS REPORT
TETE-A-TETE WITH KAMALIKA
LAST WEEK
SATURDAY & SUNDAY 2nd & 3rd FEBRUARY
Q. How did the journey into Chennai Super Chef begin?
to make and then proceeded to the pantry to collect the necessary items. I kept cleaning
I saw the ad in Hindu and three of my friends had passed on this
my table while cooking and kept a close watch on the time running
information to me. Then I went on register myself in all the three
Q. Describe how you came up with the winning entry.
categories. Two reasons why I registered under all the three, one
Appetizers are otherwise also known as finger foods or bite size foods. I wanted to make a
chances of getting selected is more and two, the noble cause for
finger food kind of thing and wanted to make it look and sound exotic. that is how I came
which the money collected was going to. The proceedings of this
up with zuchini Jalepeno cheese balls served on a bed of capsicum salad served with a
competition goes to Adyar Cancer Institute.
mint dip.
Q. What was the most exciting moment in the contest apart
Q. A brief recipe summary of the winning entry.
from the winning moment under the appetizer category?
I decided to make zuchini Jalepeno cheese balls. Made bread crumbs from the bagel
The moment I was called to receive my SuperChef apron after
given. Cut zuchini and jalepeno into small piecesI used Parmesan and Cheddar Cheese
the semi final round. I did not think for a minute that I will cross
that was scrapped and readily available. Added some fresh herbs, parsley and thyme to it..
that hurdle. It was god s blessings that helped me sail through
Made small balls with the mixture , stuffed it with red pepper and tomato mixture. Rolled
all the rounds and win the title.
these balls in maida flour. Dipped it in Maida and Corn flour batter, rolled it on freshly made
Q. Describe your experience during the final contest
bread crumbs. then deep fried them. I served it on a bed of Tri color capsicum salad and
The final cook off was very exciting and it was something I was
Minty dip.
looking forward to the most. It excited me that I will be cooking
Q. Describe your experience through the entire Chennai Super Chef contest.
in The Park with ingredients from their pantry. We were given
Very very exciting and wonderful experience. It is a dream come true for me. Cooking
a mystery basket with three ingredients. And were asked to
has always been my passion. I had always regretted that realisation of my passion came
prepare an appetizer using any of the two and all the three
very late in life. I would have been a very good chef. Im happy that , I achieved this level.
ingredients. I was given Zuchini, Jalepeno and Bagel.
Winning the SuperChef Title under the appetizer category. I dedicate this title to my
The moment the basket was opened..absolutely nothing struck
grandmothers , Muthulakshmi Paati , who left us 4 years ago and Janaki Paati who still
me. I was staring at the basket for about 5 minutes, while my
inspires me with her cooking skills. She was very thrilled to know that I won the title. Im
fellow contestants were already running to the pantry to collect
satisfied by the fact that I made my family proud.
ingredients to make their dishes. I made a note of what I wanted
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E
SPIC I A N N HE
A E L F ARKET
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Product: Mhc-Gzr5d/Ce12 (Mini Hifi System) Waranty:
March 2014
Date Of Purchase: 05.02.2013 Product Price:
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Resale Price:
Rs.10000 (Not Negotiable)
Reason For Sale:
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Dhathri Shampoo: Rs. 88 Dhathri Hair Oil: Rs. 196
Black Sandals Size: 6
Original Price:
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Giveaway Price:
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Self Pickup:
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Reason For Sale:
Not Used As It
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Contact: beenu.beans123@gmail.com
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Product: Paperbacks Five Point Someone Chetan Bhagat:
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Love & Marriage Bill Cosby:
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The Negotiator Frederick Forsythe: Rs. 50
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The Ultimate Entrepreneur Glenn Rifkin and George Harrar: Rs. 200
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CHENNAI SPICE
VALENTINE’S DAY OFFERS Celebrate Valentine’s Day with Taj Hotels, Chennai Come February and the colour of the season changes to romance and love as Valentine’s Day takes center stage! Taj Hotels, Chennai presents and exciting array of dining and stay packages to make your Valentine’s Day special this year… VIVANTA BY TAJ CONNEMARA THE VERANDAH: For a romantic rendezvous this Valentine’s Day, whisk your loved one away for a culinary treat at The Verandah. Be prepared for the feast of love as you together explore the vast spread that promises to tantalise your tastebuds! Views of the pool, the music of rustling leaves, whispers of sweet somethings and a lavish spread to linger over make for a very special Valentine’s Day. INR 1750 AI per person
DISTIL
VIVANTA BY TAJ FISHERMAN’S COVE
Distil is the place for the young at heart to soak in the vibes of the high energy nightspot on the most romantic day of the year. This Valentine’s Day, treat your loved one to a choice selection of spirits. Lift your moods with peppy tunes by DJ Savio, turn on the romance and watch your partner being swept off the feet.
BBQ BY THE BEACH: The culinary experiences at the Vivanta by Taj-Fisherman’s Cove are heightened by scenic views, intuitive yet unobtrusive service and excellent local fare. Powder soft sand, barbeques prepared to your taste and a panoramic backdrop of the Bay of Bengal lends a perfect backdrop to a memorable romantic dinner on Valentine’s Day, with live grills, scrumptious barbeques, choice of seafood delights and unlimited select spirits.
INR 1,999 per couple inclusive of unlimited alcohol and snacks For more information: +91 44 66000000 TAJ COROMANDEL As Cupid plays his magic this Valentine’s Day, Taj Coromandel provides a perfect ambience to take you and your sweetheart on a memorable dining experience. Savour the exclusive table d’hôte menu specially crafted by our expert chefs at our three specialty restaurants: enjoy the best of Cantonese and Sichuan cuisine at Golden Dragon, savour the best of multi-cuisine at the all-day diner Anise; and revel in authentic Italian fare at Prego, all with unlimited spirits.
INR 12,000 plus taxes per couple UPPER DECK: Take your loved one on a trip through the Mediterranean at our specialty fine dining restaurant that is sure to replicate the romance of the region. Savour Chef’s special four course meal peppered with the most exotic aphrodisiacs, paired with unlimited wines. Rs. 10,000 plus taxes per couple For more information: +91 44 6741 3333
For more information: +91 44 6600 2827
CHENNAI SPICE | FEBRUARY 9th 2013 | 40
CHENNAI SPICE
VALENTINE’S DAY OFFERS Solitaires are best way to celebrate
secret getaway, take her out for a dinner and seal the
love as they are the epitome of classic
day of love by surprising her with the perfect solitaire
diamond jewellery and symbolic of
ring or pair of earrings and win her heart all over again.
purity in a relationship
Make it a ‘Solitaire’ valentine Jewellery that inspires Love! Breathtaking masterpieces, each unique and splendid in design for the new age women
No gemstone expresses human emotions more
This valentine, celebrate your love in an eternal
powerfully than a solitaire and Tanishq transforms
fashion with Solitaires from Tanishq. Solitaires
these precious stones into breathtaking masterpieces,
are the epitome of classic diamond jewellery
each unique and splendid in design. This valentines,
and symbolic of purity in a relationship. As much
go on an exhilarating and unique experience of finding
as it makes for a coveted gifting option for that
the perfect solitaire for your lady love with Tanishq.
special someone, solitaires have always been the
Cut and crafted with utmost care, Tanishq’s Solitaire
ultimate expression of love and commitment. A
collection has the most subtle and elegant range of
solitaire strengthens and completes the bond in
pendants, earrings and rings to choose from.
a relationship. It’s invincible purity and simplicity represents a promise for eternal love and togetherness than just a piece of jewellery. It is
Collection represents purity and
occasions like this which makes us express and
simplicity which is a promise for
celebrate the joyous triumph of togetherness with
eternal love and togetherness
the true and priceless symbol of love. So plan a
Tanishq, with its range of Solitaires, makes an attempt to make the symbolic moments of life like this complete and memorable!
CHENNAI SPICE | FEBRUARY 9th 2013 | 41
CHENNAI SPICE
VALENTINE’S DAY OFFERS This Valentine’s Day Purple is the Colour of Love “If you thought Valentine’s Day was all about Red Hearts, think again! Purple is the new colour of Love. Spreading some purple cheer this season, is Naturals Spa and Saloon, giving you some amazing offers! Head to Naturals to avail 25% flat off on Hair color and Facials, all through February 1 until March 15, 2013. The offer on Facials are valid only on facials worth Rs. 1000/- and above, while for Hair Colour, the offer is valid on Fashion hair colour and global hair color services, in ALL outlets across India! Download YOUR voucher from Naturals’ Facebook Page, and be sure to carry a print-out of the voucher with you, to redeem the offer! www.facebook.com/NaturalsSalon Please take appointments to help us to serve you better.” Contact: +91 9092626262
CHENNAI SPICE | FEBRUARY 9th 2013 | 42
CHENNAI SPICE
ART & CULTURE
DID YOU KNOW?
ACADEMY OF INDIAN MUSIC& ART
Indian music scenario only from the later half of 18 th
CONTENT BY
Violin ,one of the most integral part of today’s south Indian music /dance concert was introduced to century. Even though India was not in dearth of stringed or wind instruments like veena, flute etc, the tone of the Violin which matched the human voice ,and the facility to use the instrument to produce the nuances of Indian music gave Violin the edge over the other prevailing instruments and gifted the stature it has today. Baluswami Dikshitar (1786-1859),a resident of Ettayapuram,near Tanjavur and the brother of Muthuswami dikshitar, has been credited with the
The Academy of Indian Music & Arts (AIMA),founded in 1984 by the legendary musician Padma Bhushan Dr. T.V.
introduction of the violin in India. Introduced by Sri. Manali Muthukrishna Mudaliar (interpreter to the then British Governor ) to Western music at a performance
Gopalakrishnan and is registered Charitable
of the European orchestra (or band as it was called),
Trust. Starting off with humble beginnings, it
attached to the East India Company, Sri.Baluswami
has enabled its students to grow holistically.
Dikshitar trained for three years on the violin from the East Indian band.
46, Al Khauser, First Floor, 4th Main Road, Gandhinagar, Adyar, Chennai,
A very gifted musician, he contributed much towards
Tamil Nadu 600020
adapting the instrument for use in Carnatic music.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL: +91 44 24466678 / +91 8754402523
This resulted in his appointment as State Vidwan of Ettayapuram in 1824.
AIMA 1
AIMA CULTURE
CHENNAI SPICE
ART & CULTURE
QUIZ 0001
CONTENT BY
ACADEMY OF INDIAN MUSIC& ART
REALITY SHOW TRAINING Basic & Advanced 15 Sessions Each
PLAYBACK SINGING TRAINING Basic & Advanced - 15 Sessions 46, Al Khauser, First Floor, 4th Main Road, Gandhinagar, Adyar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600020 FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL: +91 44 24466678 / +91 8754402523
Across
Across
Down
2. The instrument Goddess saraswathi is alwaysDown
1. The first part of a Carnatic composition is called.
depicted 2. The instrument Goddesswith. saraswathi is always 1. The first part of a Carnatic is called. 3. Acomposition famous south Indian king composer. depicted with. 4. The Sanskrit name for the seven musical notes. 3. A famous south Indian5. king composer. Violin has this many strings. 4. The Sanskrit name for the seven musical like notes. 6. What is an instrument Tabla called? 5. Violin has this many strings. 7. The dance form of Orissa is called this. 6. What is an instrument like Tabla called? 7. The dance form of Orissa is called this. 10. The music of the Northern part of India is called?
10. The music of the Northern part of India is called?
8. The earliest western instrument which is now an
8. The earliest western instrument which now an music. integral part of is carnatic integral part of carnatic music.
9. A Carnatic music concert is also called this.
9. A Carnatic music concert is also called this.
Email the answers to chennaispiceletter@gmail.com The winner will be announced in the next issue. CHENNAI SPICE | FEBRUARY 9th 2013 | 44
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Paisley Bay the newest destination for quirky, stylish and funky jewelry, bags, hair accessories , kids stuff and much more. Find our entire collection at Paisleybay. com. Register and get Rs.100 off on purchases above Rs.800. Free shipping on all orders above Rs.500.You can also place your orders by calling Bhargavi on +91 9444548590 or +91 44 26201693 or mail at contact@paisleybay.com.
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Diamante garden clutch: This elegant clutch purse is made of satin and has stunning diamante work on it.
Rs.575
Peacock feather clutch: Beautiful sequin clutch that is nail beaded by hand that depicts the regalia of the peacock feather. Comes in 3 colours
Rs.750
Rs.750 Vespa girl earrings: Story earrings depicting a free spirited girl on a scooter. Also available as a necklace.
Mermaid puppet set: A perfect gift for your lil’ kids, nephews and nieces.
Rs.2700
Baroque Filigree necklace: Super classy necklace with a delicate baroque design
Snakeskin pattern clutch: Snakeskin pattern box clutch. Made of PU leather, metal alloy, rhinestones and satin. Available in 4 colours
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Rs.575
Tangerineweds Turquoise necklace: A colourful bib necklace that will jazz up any outfit.
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Pheonix flies earrings: Rhinestone enrusted dangle earrings crafted out of metal alloy.
www.paisleybay.com CHENNAI SPICE | FEBRUARY 9th 2013 | 45
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