Varanasi Chefs

Indian / Asian

The Varanasi Chefs is named after a city of Northern India called Varanasi, also known as Banaras. The city of Banaras is situated on the west bank of the holiest of all Indian rivers, the Ganga or Ganges. The relationship between the sacred river and the city is the essence of Varanasi - 'the land of sacred light'.  It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Mark Twain, the American author and literature, who was enthralled by the legend and sanctity of Banaras, once wrote: "Banaras is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together."   Most people believe that the origins of Indian history and therefore the cuisines are as old as mankind itself. The earlier formal civilization is the Mohenjedaro and Harrapan Civilization, which is at about 2000 BC. In Banaras, the cooking tradition has however evolved significantly over time and the varying influences brought into the cuisines by the various rulers and travellers, but it has not lost its original identity, rather become richer with the assimilation of the myriad influences. Banaras inherits the Ayurvedic tradition of cooking which is a complete holistic approach to cooking, evolved at this point in time. This lays the foundation of the concept that everything we eat affects both our body and mind; therefore food should be pure, from nature, and balanced. The core balance consists of balancing the six tastes – Sweet, Sour, Salty, Pungent, Bitter, and Astringent. These tastes relate to the attributes of Essence and Effect. The Varanasi Chefs endeavours to bring the cooking tradition of Banaras and other parts of India to Battersea.  We offer the varied delicious tastes and cuisines of India, from homes, wayside stalls and palaces presented in style, retaining its authentic nature.  REAL Indian cuisine – which is the specialty of the Varanasi Chefs – is distinctive. It is exotic, aromatic and flavourful, relying on a subtle blend of herbs and spices, and provides an interesting contrast with Curries – the sauce based foods, Chats - the Indian street foods and with Tandoori- the clay oven foods. Not to be forgotten the Mo Mo – the local delicacy of Darjeeling.

to 142 Battersea High Street
Battersea, London, SW11 3JR

81, 1 reviews

Indian

ADVANCE, opens 17:45, 1807

0% 45 0 17:45-22:30

19 April 2012 20:15