Mumbai Diary: Tuesday Dossier

Riyaaz Amlani addresses the audience

Better late than never
"This time, we really begin in five minutes. Teer kamaan se nikal gaya hai," NRAI (National Restaurant Association of India) President Riyaaz Amlani announced at the launch of the India Food Services report 2016, updating the crowd that the chief guest, Minister of Tourism Jayakumar Jitendrasinh Rawal was on his way.

The event began an hour and a half late, but we're not complaining; for Rawal made up for his delay by promising to support the food and beverage industry, to relax licences, extend deadlines and set up a separate department. The self-confessed foodie even announced a Sunburn edition in Maharashtra.

A question posed to him by Subham Chaudhuri, founder of The Food Truck Association (TFTA), on permissions to open food trucks in Mumbai won our vote. "It will take a month to organise a meeting in Mantralaya." When Chaudhary pointed out that an officer had promised him the same thing a year ago, and that nothing had come of it, he replied in a flash: "It is tougher for an officer and easier for a minister."

Made in India
If you're looking to add eclectic and desi handmade products to your wardrobe or walls, drop in at ARTISANS' next week. The gallery curates a collection of over 10 Indian groups dabbling in fashion, homeware and lifestyle products for a three-day exhibit-cum-sale.

But it's not just another handicraft display as all the products bear Craftmark seal (which celebrates 10 years) - a certification licensed by All India Artisans and Craftworkers Welfare Association (AIACA) for craft-based businesses, cooperative and NGOs.

Check out satin weaves embedded with zari motifs crafted by Mubarakpur Weaves, an ancient handloom cluster in Bhopal, and kiln-fired wind chimes brought down by Ochre Ceramics from Gujarat. Meanwhile, Kadam Haat from West Bengal will showcase products using sabai grass, bamboo and sitalpati - natural fibres from the region.

Supernatural star at Comic Con
The Mumbai Comic Con is poised to return big this year with exciting news for fans. Actor Jim Beaver Supernatural, the ragingly popular fantasy horror show, will jazz up the event with his presence.

Jim Beaver

The Vietnam war veteran says, "I'm excited to visit Mumbai and meet fans. India has a remarkable history and culture, and it will be wonderful to learn more about both." In Supernatural, Beaver starred as demon hunter Bobby Singer. On the hit Western series Deadwood, he played the gruff but tender prospector Ellsworth.

Ready For The Naipaul Trilogy?
In what is surely the best addition to bookshelves this season, you can now take home three of author and Nobel Prize winner, VS Naipaul's iconic tomes on India in one volume. The Indian Trilogy has an introduction by Paul Theroux and has been published by Picador India.

The three books are An Area of Darkness - his semi-autobiographical account of his first visit to India; India: A Wounded Civilisation - an analytical look at a country that's been wounded by the Emergency of 1975 and is still unable to regenerate; and India: A Million Mutinies Now, in which he focuses on the country's development since Independence.

Hey bartender, shake it again
The zonal rounds of The Monin Cup, a prestigious bartending championship, were held in Mumbai last evening.

Tanvi Joshi, Pratik Pawar and Rakesh Moulik (in pic) emerged as city champs. After zonal rounds, and an all-India head-off, the lucky winner will represent the country at the Monin Cup 2016 in Paris. We'll be keeping tabs on our stirrers and shakers in Paris. Pic/Bipin Kokate

I won't let go, David!

Pic/Nimesh Dave

David Dhawan seems to rely on Farah Khan for some support as he rose from his chair on a stage during a book release at a Juhu five-star last evening.