Boss, ek modak dya

That's what Shubha Raul hopes customers will say if hoteliers agree to her proposal of having Maharashtrian cuisine on the menu

That's what Shubha Raul hopes customers will say if hoteliers agree to her proposal of having Maharashtrian cuisine on the menu

In one of her last days as mayor, Shubha Raul came to the rescue of Maharashtrian cuisine.

Saying that the modak should be a part of all restaurant menus in Mumbai, Raul had sent a letter to the municipal commissioner and the education minister.

She also wants Maharashtrian cuisine to be added to the syllabus of hotel management studies.

"Modak is a very popular Maharashtrian dessert, but it is not available in all restaurants.

There is a vital need to promote Maharashtrian cuisine worldwide. This can only be done if restaurants, guest houses and hotel management schools include Maharash-trian food in their menu and syllabus," said Raul.

FINAL REQUEST: Former mayor Shubha Raul says hotel management students should be taught to cook Maharashtrian food.

'Bad idea'

Predictably, neither restaurateurs nor hotel management colleges are happy with this proposal.

"Maharashtrian food was always the part of our hospitality syllabus. Our industry caters to tourists and so equal emphasis is given to every cuisine.

It is our job to teach our students all cuisines, as they travel all over the world.

She should look at out syllabus first before making such comments," said B P Sahini, director of Ramnath Payde of College of Hospitality management studies, Kurla.

Added Sachin Sawant, a hotel management student, "We are here to learn world cuisine and not only Maha-rashtrian cuisine. Learning Maharashtrian food is of no use," he said.

Narayan Alva, president of Indian Hotel and Restaurant Association, an umbrella body of over 8,000 members, too isn't fond of the idea. "Zayka means variety of food.

Mumbai is looked upon as an international hub and we can only maintain this image if we serve the patrons what they want and not we want."

Jai Maharashtra

Some of the famous Maharashtrian dishes include Puran Poli, Thaali Peeth, Ukdiche Modak, Aamti, Zunka Bhakar, Bombil, Pithla, etc