‘Taste of America’ Seminar curated by the Food Blogger Association of India (the FBAI) and the Taste of America

The Taste of America event was hosted by the FBAI and the Taste of America organization at THE CLUB, Juhu. The event began with a spirited opening by Salloni Malkani, co-founder of the FBAI, and Rhiannon Elms, USDA Senior Agriculture Attach

Many Influencers and Home chefs were invited to the seminar. The aim of the seminar was to raise awareness about American ingredients available in India like fruits, dry fruits, and poultry products, which are essential for our health.

Sumit Saran opened the event with a talk on the power of fruits such as USA pears and Washington apples. He showed us the importance of these ancient cultivars that are very popular all over the world. Both fruits are very nutritious, healthy, cholesterol-free, and have low calories. He also talked about US cranberries and American pistachios and their benefits. We learned that US cranberries are very healthy and American pistachios provide a complete protein and are also great as a post-workout snack. The USA is considered one of the largest producers of pistachios.

Later, Sachin Khurana and Shruti Gupta from California walnuts talked about the versatility of American pulses in Indian cuisine. We also learned about the healthy California walnuts, which boost the immune system and ensure a healthy life.


The seminar was not only about informing us the healthy things but also showing us how to use these ingredients in our dishes at home. The demonstration was conducted by Chef Gaurav Madan, Head Chef of The Club, Mumbai. The other participants in the seminar were Shorya Kapoor, Peush Narang, Riya Singh, and Sameer. They drew our attention to the fact that we can bake with blueberries, which are healthy as well as unique in taste, fresh, and frozen, Oregon hazelnuts contain vitamin E and you can make a dessert with them, and also spoke about the U.S. Poultry which is the most active organization processing eggs, turkeys, ducks, etc.

Finally, they talked about the current food trends in India. After the seminar, all the guests had lunch in the open area of the club. It was served buffet style and only healthy ingredients were used for the food. There were so many options for dessert that give you mouth water. Every bite made you want more of it. Each guest received goodies and aprons at the event.

This event brought many people together and made the whole seminar perfect. People exchanged their ideas about the seminar. The entire event was a great success for the FBAI and the Taste of America. Let’s make our lives healthier by incorporating these ingredients into our daily meals  

California walnut event- Masque Restaurant

California walnut event was held at the Masque restaurant. It was mainly based on the dishes made with California walnut. The event was organized with the thought of keeping customers healthy. The lead for the event was taken by the Head Chef Varun Totlani. He is one of the famous Chefs who focuses on producing food which will always be the customer’s preference. BENEFITS OF CALIFORNIA WALNUT Dishes made with California walnut can be a key to healthy body and happy taste buds. California Walnuts are effective in reducing fatty acids if you have heart diseases. It works like a gem if added in the dishes of people suffering from cholesterol, heart diseases and they don’t have to compromise with their taste. It works like a protein bar for people who are on diet and want to avoid unhealthy food. It is considered to be very healthy for a diabetic patient. The risk of many more diseases are reduced with California walnut and it improves bone health too.

DISHES MADE OF CALIFORNIA WALNUT IN THE EVENT

(KATLAM) Sweet potato with walnut rhubarb crispy rice. Potato melts in the mouth with the flavour of crisp rice. It was a surreal combination of ingredients that gives you a mouth craving.

CORNCURD The dish was very light and preferable for people who are dieting. Perfect presentation of Corncurd dish with a fabulous mixture of California walnut. 


Food can be the reason behind holding society together. Famous public figures were part of the event. People were welcomed by Ms. Rhiannon Elms who is the senior agricultural attache at USDA.

There was non-stop conversation with a lot of drinks and some similar topics to discuss. People were enjoying the drinks along with interactions. The common thing which brought everyone together was their love for food.

At last! the delicious dessert with beautiful presentation was served. It was called a Chocolate easter egg. Coated with chocolate and filled with ice cream. The presentation was so impressive that anyone can indulge in the dessert.

Some goodies from the California walnut and lots of good memories were taken by everyone. Thank you Head Chef Varun Totlani for being the part of event and working with us. Thank you Masque Restaurant for working with us to held the best event.

Masque Restaurant- Mahalaxmi References: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/309834 https://www.masquerestaurant.com/the-living-room 

A SPECIAL EVENING WITH THE US POULTRY


The Food Bloggers Association of India (the FBAI) hosted an exquisite evening with US Poultry at Indigo Deli. The ambiance was sophisticated and welcoming, with a beautifully decorated bar where guests could enjoy their drinks.

The guests were greeted with a refreshing welcome drink and mouth-watering starters like taco mushrooms and Salmon Rillette. The influencers were busy socializing and taking pictures. During the event, Sameer Malkani, co-founder of the FBAI, expressed his gratitude to everyone present. He gave a brief introduction to the event, along with Sahiba, US Poultry. Chef Rohan informed the influencers about the demo session.

Chef Rohan gave an excellent demonstration on how to cook US duck and turkey in India, preparing dishes such as duck scotch eggs and duck fat potatoes. The guests enjoyed a delicious dinner of tender duck and turkey, which was a delightful pleasure to every chew. The dinner was served with white and red wine, making the evening more beautiful for everyone.

It was an honour to see the happy faces of the guests, who left with gifts and unforgettable memories.

American Pistachios Event

In 1929 an American botanist named William E. Whitehouse embarked on a journey to Persia to gather pistachios. Upon his return to the United States, he brought back a haul of 20 pounds of nuts. However, one nut among his collection proved to be of value. Pistachio trees take decades to grow. The American Pistachio industry emerged in California in the 1960s after years of research and experimentation. It is one of the contributors to the economy of California. The American Pistachios event was on 1st November 2023 at the Estella, Juhu. The event aimed to create awareness about the benefits of Pistachios and how they can help people live a healthy life. Many influencers were present for the event.

Dr. Siddhant Bhargava started off by speaking about the several benefits of American Pistachios.

1. 2 servings of Pistachios a day can help maintain good health.

2. Pistachios contain Vitamin B6 which is essential in controlling blood sugar and the formation of hemoglobin.

3. Pistachios have High antioxidants which reduce the risk of severe diseases.

4. Pistachios are low in calories and high in protein.

5. Unsalted Pistachios are also available for people who are suffering from high blood pressure. Dr. Siddhant Bhargava started off by speaking about the several benefits of American Pistachios. 

Dishes made by Chef Vicky Ratnani Influencers were indulged in a unique culinary experience with Chef Vicky Ratnani's flavourful black rice dish, layered with tender chicken cooked in a delectable blend of yogurt, ginger, garlic, and pista purée.
Topped with a refreshing cucumber salad and crunchy pistachios, the dish was sure to tantalize our taste buds. And for the crispy snack, dal vada was made with the same original recipe but with the added goodness of pistachios and a zesty green chutney. Garnished with micro greens and edible flowers, this dish is as beautiful as it is delicious.

Several well-known influencers and personalities attended the event. Some of the guests included Ananya Banerjee, Roopa Nabar, and many more.

Reference https://americanpistachios.org/growing-and-harvesting/history https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/9-benefits-of-pistachios#8.-May-help-lower-blood-sugar

USA Poultry Egg Export Council(USAPEEC) event at Mainland China Restaurant

The FBAI curated the USA Poultry Egg Export Council(USAPEEC) event at Mainland China, a Chinese restaurant which is now known as Mainland Asia and it’s famous for its amazing dishes.

The USA Poultry Egg Export Council (USAPEEC) event started with excitement as guests arrived.

The standout feature of the event was a delicious lunch menu with duck and turkey that pleased everyone present.

In the lively setting of Mainland China, guests enjoyed welcome drinks while influencers captured the essence of the tasty dishes.
The drink choices ranged from white and red wine to flavourful mocktails, each beautifully served and full of taste.
Later, a variety of dishes were served, including Crispy Duck with Chilli Plum, Duck Meat Sushi, Braised Noodles with Roast Duck, and many more irresistible dishes.

The Crispy Duck with Chilli Plum gave a delightful combination of crunchy texture and spicy flavour, making each bite deliciously satisfying.

The Duck Meat Sushi was exceptionally tender, with perfectly cooked meat that melted in your mouth. 

As we savoured these dishes, we had the opportunity to learn more about the cuisine from Head Chef Rajesh Dubey, who skillfully prepared the entire lunch for us.

Lastly, we indulged in a delectable dessert of cheesecake paired with vanilla ice cream, a truly delightful treat! 

The influencers enjoyed a wonderful time together, connecting over the delicious cuisine and engaging in a foodie conversation about the duck dish and various other topics.