Families plan feast for Thanks giving with chicken roast, pie

PUNE: For most Indian families, Thanksgiving is now much more than the famous episode from the sitcom F.R.I.E.N.D.S where Brad Pitt makes a guest appearance.

Thanksgiving which will be celebrated on Thursday is increasingly becoming a day for get-togethers and parties, popularising the very essence of the festival of being thankful.

The aroma of chicken roast, pumpkin pie and mashed potatoes will fill Elizabeth Coutinho's residence as she plans to host a Thanksgiving dinner for her friends and neighbours.

"My family lives in the United States. Every year we make an effort to meet for Thanksgiving. However, it was not possible this year. Hence, I planned to have it with my friends and neighbours. At the end, the whole idea of the festival is being around people you love and being thankful for whatever you have got ," the 62-year-old resident of Pudumjee Park, said.

For those who are not with the thought of spending hours in the kitchen on a festive day, home-chefs are at their rescue.

"From the orders that we have received it is evident that roast, which is a classic associated with Thanksgiving is a big hit. However, catering to Indian taste buds we have chicken and mutton roasts rather than turkey. Apart from the classic dishes, people are also trying out fusions like rasmalai shots in which layers of cake are served with rasmalai and chocolava buns," Saket Khanna, founder of Mealtango, a website for community chefs, said.

The past one week has been chaotic for Natasha Liberatus, a former IT professional, who quit her job to follow her food dreams. She has been spending hours looking for the right packaging material for the roasts that she needs to deliver on the day of the festival.

"I have been struggling to get the packaging material as Thanksgiving is all about the entire roast. There is no point cutting it down and then serving it into pieces. I have chicken and mutton roasts as turkey is not something that people in India have a liking for. Even the roasts are put in a spice blend that suits the Indian crowd," Liberatus said.

Apart from home chefs several restaurant chains and local cafes are putting in efforts to make festive specials by offering Thanksgiving dinner.

"Thanksgiving provides an opportunity for families to wine and dine together at leisure. We generally offer a buffet system where families can enjoy their meal as per their preference along with a few live stations. We have laid down a special menu this year which includes Porchetta, roast fingerling potato, pork jus and Californian Civet de lapin (rabbit stew with red wine)," Mandar Madav, executive chef at Conrad, said on Wednesday.