The aroma of Tunday kebabs sizzling over charcoal, the delicate fragrance of Lucknowi biryani, and the warmth of slow-cooked dishes fill the air. This is not a scene from the lanes of old Lucknow, but the heart of Delhi’s Aerocity. From February 6 to 15, Holiday Inn Delhi Aerocity is hosting Daawat-e-Ishq, a culinary festival curated by chef Mohammad Hassan that celebrates the timeless elegance of Awadhi cuisine.
A culinary tribute to Lucknow
Curated by Lucknow-based chef Mohammad Hassan, the festival offers diners an immersive experience of Awadi nafasat (refinement) and nazakat (delicacy/elegance), giving Delhiites a rare opportunity to savour the region’s royal culinary heritage. For many, the dishes served here are more than food; they are stories of tradition, patience and craftsmanship.
“Actually, Lucknowi food is not food,” chef Hassan said. “It is a culture, which is decorated on our tableware. That tableware presents our culture in front of the world. What are we? What is our culture? What is the culture of our India? There is patience in every food. And when we put a bite in our mouth with patience, I feel the spices. Here, we don’t cook food in public. Here, we give time to the taste. As it used to be in the Nawabi kitchens, we still cook with love and honesty.”
He added that the tradition continues through the festival. “And to make people feel the food of Dastarkhwan, Holiday Inn Aerocity has come. And we want you to come and be a part of our gathering. Encourage us, so that we can give you the best food.”
Bringing Awadhi heritage to life
Chef Hassan’s signature menu includes Tunday kebabs, melt-in-the-mouth Galouti kebabs, soft and fragrant Sheermal, aromatic Lucknowi biryani, and Shahi Tukda, a spread designed to transport diners straight to the lanes of Lucknow.
Guests have noticed the finesse in every bite. Saima Khan, visiting with friends, said the experience felt intimate despite the hotel setting. “Usually hotel food festivals feel elaborate but impersonal,” she noted. “Here, the flavours feel quiet and thoughtful. The biryani especially has a very comforting aroma.”
Rohit Malhotra, a Delhi-based food enthusiast, pointed to the subtlety in spicing as the highlight. “Awadhi food is about subtlety, and that’s what stands out here,” he said. “The kebabs don’t rely on heat or oil. They are soft, fragrant and very well-balanced.”
For first-time Awadhi diners like Neha Verma, the festival challenged expectations. “I always thought Lucknowi food would be heavy,” she said. “But everything here feels light and elegant. Even after a full meal, you don’t feel weighed down.”
Mohammad Irfan, guest, found nostalgia in the menu. “The sheermal and galouti kebabs taste very close to what we used to eat years ago,” he said. “It brings back memories of old Lucknow and its tehzeeb.”
Arjumand Qadri, visiting with his family, added, “The kebabs are extremely soft and gentle on the palate. Nothing feels overpowering. It feels like food that has been cooked with sabr. You can sense the patience in every bite.”
A feast for every sense
The festival menu offers a journey through Awadhi cuisine. Starters include Subz ki Mukhtalif Shami and Surkh Paneer for vegetarians, while non-vegetarian options feature Gosht ke Pasande and Nazuk Murgh ki Boti.
The main course includes Paneer Begam-e-Jaan, Anjeer Sabz Kofta, Urad ki Khudai, Kute Dhaniya ke Aloo, Dal-e-Awadh, and Lazeez Hare Moong, each dish slow-cooked to perfection. Rice offerings such as Badam Khubani Pulao and Gosht Dum Biryani are aromatic and rich, while breads including Sheermal, Bakarkhani, Ulte Tawe ka Paratha, and Rumali Roti add texture and warmth to the meal.
“At Holiday Inn New Delhi Aerocity, we are always looking for ways to offer our guests unique and immersive experiences,” said Shuvendu Banerjee, General Manager. “After the wonderful response we received last year, we are delighted to bring back Daawat-e-Ishq, especially during Valentine’s Week, where guests can celebrate love with the royal flavours of Awadhi cuisine.”
Guests are welcomed with the warmth of Lucknowi ‘Pehle Aap’ hospitality, creating an atmosphere of charm and elegance. Chef Sumit Sabharwal said, “Awadhi cuisine is very close to my heart, and it gives me immense joy to present these timeless recipes in their authentic style. Bringing Daawat-e-Ishq back this year feels special, especially in the season of love, because food is one of the most beautiful ways to celebrate together.”
Whether one is a connoisseur of Indian cuisine or looking for a memorable Valentine’s Week celebration, Daawat-e-Ishq promises a journey through royal flavours, patience and history.
