Gaggan - A remarkable gastronomic experience

It just so happened that this year's list of top 50 restaurants was unveiled at around the same time I was checking out Gaggan. Yes, Gaggan, the world's 4th best restaurant according to this list: https://www.theworlds50best.com/The-List-2019/1-10/Gaggan.html

I am not a food connoisseur, nor deeply knowledgeable about Indian cuisine. I wish I wa, I would have enjoyed Gaggan's progressive Indian more. Nonetheless, it was a one of a kind experience. It felt like being part of an experiential show, being asked to lick a plate of curry or eating some brain-looking food blindfolded.

I must say, taking a 25-course tasting menu at one of the world's best restaurants was a deeply empowering experiencing to me. Here I was, with my hard-earned money, enjoying fine food with strangers who queued up for weeks and months to get a seat at this most coveted table. It felt liberating to a woman whose past 6 years have mostly been consumed with mothering and raising a family. Wow, I am one lucky woman! Let me remain humble despite all these blessings.

But kids, this is for you! May you have the drive to strive and give all your best while you're young, for the fruits of your labor - when enjoyed at the appropriate time - will be the sweetest. 

Next time, I hope to enjoy this experience with my loved ones. I had thought about my father while dining. But maybe not Gaggan, he is likely not adventurous enough to try different renditions of Indian food. Of course, I would save another experience with Rene, and hope to be able to tag my cousin chef Chris as well.

***First posted on Facebook on 28 June, the day I dined at Gaggan.*** 

In Bangkok, on the way back home from Naypyitaw.

Fortunate to get a seat at Gaggan, the world’s 4th best restaurant and Asia's best, before it closes sometime next year. Yeah, still have a reason to celebrate on my birthday month. 😆

I didn’t realize that I had signed up for a 25-course tasting menu until I asked my seatmate at the chef’s table. 😅 Seatmate hails from Sweden and had been on the waitlist for half a year. I signed up in mid-May and got a confirmation 2 weeks later. 😆

I must say, it was as much a performance as it was a gastronomic delight. Imagine the team’s creativity and playfulness coming to life in every dish that was served, which was also accompanied with lively music and an early evening drizzle in the sun room. I was blown away by the whole set-up. 😍

Sharing the photos and some videos - watch me eat some brain blindfolded, and being served the loveliest birthday cake ever (thanks to the edible candle!). What a memorable experience, during the month I turned 36. 😊

My seatmate became my dining buddy

Mr. Sommelier was so nice to let us try 3 different types
of white wine 'coz I couldn't make up my mind whether I wanted earthy or full-bodied.
In the end, I ended up with neither and chose a Riesling, something sweet. =P

The long, emoji-filled menu!

First course

Second course - the famous yoghurt pops!

Oh yeah, third course!

Fourth course

Fifth course

Sixth course

Seventh course

Eighth course

Ninth course

10th course - a fave. They made it look like truffles, but it
really was some well-made bread with some filling.

11th course

12th course

13th course

14th course

Preparing the 15th course, a tribute to sushi

15th course

16th course, a tribute to chawanmushi

17th course

18th course

19th course

20th course

21st course

21st course

23rd course, Gaggan's mango lassi

24th course

25th course

And because it was my birthday month, I got an extra course.

Lovely birthday cake concept!

Revealing what the emojis meant. I still wish we got more description of each course.

Happy birthday, Papa Oscar!

***First posted on Facebook on 8 June 2019***

Happy birthday to my favorite Papa Oscar!!!

Papa Oscar with Gabo

I am so proud to be your daughter, so blessed to have grown up under your constant presence and 

sacrifices. You are most generous of your time and others resources, this I deeply appreciate. You took joy in driving us to and from school as we kids were growing up, many times welcoming our friends to hitch a ride with us as well. It just didn’t seem a burden to you. And the fact that you were always there - never late - waiting for us by the time school ends has given me the assurance that you will always be with me and my siblings no matter what. That I was able to explore the world, pursued dreams that you didn’t understand yourself, and yet, you continued to hear me out and supported me financially (hope no need to do so going forward haha!). I owe much of the life I have now to you, ‘coz you had set the bar high in terms of the privileges we kids were going to get - no matter how difficult for you - and gave me the liberty to find myself, my passions without letting me worry about finances even if you didn’t have much.

Pa, I wish you good health and joy in your heart so you can continue to spread the love to us and your grandchildren. And that you get to enjoy the privileges and more that you yourself strived to give your children. I love you, Pa. 😘

Happy birthday, Mama Cora!

Date with Mama, sometime in 2016

***First posted on Facebook on 7 June 2019***
Happiest of birthdays, Mama Cora!

I have been blessed to be raised by parents who have not only given their all to me and my siblings, but have also encouraged and supported us to explore life, take risks, and make mistakes.

To Mama, thank you for being a living example of a woman with a can-do attitude, a woman with a strong will and determination to pursue what piques her interests against all odds. Because of your example, it was never a question for me whether I can do things. Know that during tough and stressful times in my adult life, I would constantly remind myself that I am my mother’s daughter after all, so I should be able to get through...

I am also amazed at your ability to find joy in difficult situations as well as your ability to seek help when necessary - to God and others. You are to me, someone who has been able to live life, crying and laughing with little inhibition. I used to think that you must be proud of me to be able to live the life that you never lived - being able to enjoy a job and all its perks while raising a family. But now, I think you have actually lived, however difficult the circumstances, even if the odds may be against you, for that requires a lot of character. Praise God for blessing my mother, for blessing you with resilience and that undying faith in you, no matter how flawed.

Thank you for showing me and my siblings that it is okay to make mistakes. What is important is we stand up, and learn from our failings and shortcomings. It was not articulated, but that way actually, life is more meaningful. Thank you for instilling in us the desire to give back to people’s generosity, and for showing us the importance of coexisting with a bigger society beyond the immediate family (that is, with our relatives and friends). Thank you for being a prayerful mother whom I desire to emulate.

Ma, on your birthday, I wish you good health and a heart exuding with gratitude. God has never left you. I know He will never leave you. I love you, Ma. Thank you for everything. 💛

Food for thought - on the need to help impoverished kids go to school

Was listening to a podcast over lunch featuring Michelle Obama.

I find these lines by Michelle really moving. It resonates with me because I myself am a living example of how education can change lives, and open a door of opportunity after another..

I took out the emphasis on girls or women, as these could apply to boys or men, too.

"The difference between success and failure when you…are a minority is really slim. If you get the wrong message, it sits with you the wrong way. And if you do not have an advocate, no opportunity, then you are sunk."

"Just imagine – there was something that was in you from the time you were 4 or 3. You talk to your parents, they could see that in you. So imagine that part of you that would never get educated, how you would feel, how frustrated, how angry you would feel? And to know that there are millions of girls (and boys) around the world (who do not get educated), 'coz talent, potential knows no country, knows no gender. The mirror image of both of you is sitting somewhere in Uganda (or just about anywhere), not being educated because of some cultural norm, or some closedmindedness, or some ignorance, (or simply no opportunity), and how that girl (or kid) feels – how you would feel in that situation?"

Food for thought on a Friday, and over the weekend...