'Char Magic: The Return of Woodfire Cooking at Hotel Holiday Home'

Hotel Holiday Home, catering to the Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha, reintroduces traditional woodfire cooking due to LPG shortages. The switch extends preparation times but enhances food flavor. Despite logistical challenges, the hotel has adjusted practices and staffing to continue serving quality meals, focusing on Indian dishes and sourcing firewood sustainably.

In response to LPG shortages, Hotel Holiday Home, the official caterer of the Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha, has returned to traditional woodfire cooking methods. Known as 'chulhas', these woodfires have replaced gas stoves, requiring the cooking staff to start preparations as early as 7 am to manage the extended cooking times needed to prepare meals for hundreds of people daily.

The shift, however, has brought minor challenges, including additional time and resources. Dishes like Chinese cuisine, which require high-flame cooking, have been removed from the menu. Instead, focus has shifted to Indian staples like rajma, dal, kadi, and various paneer dishes, with additional cooks recruited for the busy Budget Session.

Despite these changes, the flavors have improved, according to staff and Vidhan Sabha legislators alike. The hotel sources its firewood from local depots, ensuring that operations continue smoothly while maintaining the high quality of meals. Patrons appreciate the richer flavors and the purported health benefits of woodfire-cooked meals.

(With inputs from agencies.)