Tea was more than a beverage at DoubleTree by Hilton, Bengaluru Whitefield, it was a celebration of culture, cuisine and creativity. Excerpts On 18th July, 2025, the hotel’s elegant eatery, 1882, became a sensory sanctuary for an intimate evening of tea-inspired culinary brilliance along with the house of Mittal Teas. The result? A gastronomic odyssey of taste and style.
An Artful Beginning to the Evening
It started with a stunning visual and flavour tour de force – compressed cubes of mango and apple on the plate, with dribbles of a minty spice emulsion. Accompanied by house-baked tea-infused breads and a citrusy mocktail, it was a calling card for what was to be a theme: ingredient-forward plating with subtle riffs on tea infusions.
Modern Comfort with a Twist of Tea
Guests were then presented with a luscious mushroom ragout on smoky roasted oyster mushroom, a star of smooth oolong cream sauce reduction and most amazing, softest piped potato purée. This was earthy, umami-rich comfort food that was also almost elegant and extremely layered.
Innovative Plates and Indian Elegance
A wisp of eggplant mille-feuille, framed by a crackling sabudana crisp, lay over jasmine tea-laced rice. Plump pickled vegetables lashed with a chive ribbon contributed not just visual balance, but a bracing bite to offset the mellow spice notes. Here and there he paid homage to regional cuisine, like an Indian platter reimagined with skewers of smoky tandoori chicken, curry leaf-laced coconut gravy and raisin-studded lemon rice. Each was delicate but firmly based in the traditions of spice, and further given a twist with an unusual addition of Assam tea stock to the meat marinade.
Ending on a High Note — The Dessert Quartet
Dessert was a feast for the eyes, as well as the taste buds, featuring a four-part medley:
- Chia Seed Pudding – blue with fresh raspberry.
- Panacotta al cocco con composta di rose
- Flan de té de jazmín con glaseado de caramelo
- White chocolate mousse on mashed tea cookies
Each bite was a nod to floral tea notes and creamy textures, balancing freshness with decadence. A perfectly orchestrated end to the evening.
Ambience Meets Artistry
With live mixology, curated tastings, and a refined yet welcoming atmosphere, The Alfresco Dinner wasn’t just a meal, it was a celebration of tea in all its versatile forms. The setting was equal parts intimate and elegant, with soft lighting, floral centerpieces, and handpicked tableware enhancing the aesthetic.
Chef Shyam Kumar, Executive Chef at DoubleTree by Hilton, helmed the evening, presenting every course with care and narrative — blending the culinary heritage of Indian tea with modern European plating.
Written by Harshita R G
