Mumbai ka mirchi seth kaun?

Worli's Cool Chef Cafe imports chillies from Egypt and Indonesia for a one-of-a-kind fiery festival

An old style bungalow stands in a corner of Worli village, now converted into a restaurant, adding some spice to the briny air that characterises the seafacing locality. Barely two months old, Cool Chef Cafe is set to organise a one-of-a-kind chilli festival, complete with a 'who can eat the most chillis?' contest.


Prakash Thadani has been making chilli pastes for 15 years.
Pics/ Datta Kumbhar

"I like my chillies hot!" says Prakash Thadani, manager and co-owner. Thadani has been selling bottled chilli pastes as a hobby for more than 15 years, but he is going mainstream now with a new range of pastes. The Prakash Chilly range will be retailed at the Cafe . The pastes come in over 12 varieties including Resham Patti Chilly, Burnt Chilly, Baydi Chilly, Kashmiri Chilly and a Jain special called Sweet chilly, available minus garlic.

"We use only natural ingredients, and there was a time, when I used to grow my own chillies," says a nostalgic Thadani. "India alone has 40 varieties of chillies. For the festival, we have even imported some varieties from Indonesia and Egypt."

This weekend, the Cafe plans to serve regular dishes that feature on the menu plus a few that go particularly well with the pastes. Thadani's son Chef Kaviraj offers some advice: "The point is to do justice to all flavours on your plate, and have the chilli compliment the dish in front of you."

Recommended dishes include Crispy Thread Chicken (Rs 150), Thai Samosas (3 pieces for Rs 120), Pop 2 Burgers (Rs 150 to Rs 200), Onion Pancakes (Rs 110) and Burnt Garlic Rice (Rs 110).

Prakash Chilly uses a secret sauce that Thadani has created himself. While he refuses to spill the beans on his secret ingredient, he is more than ready to share a taste of the chilli pastes he sells at Rs 140 a bottle.

Those with a more adventurous appetite can take on the chilli challenge. If you are hot on chillies, let your palate prove it with a plateful of some Bird's eye chilly from Thailand. They may look small but pack in a seriously pungent punch.

The winner will enjoy a burning belly and gift vouchers from the Cafe , plus goodies from Tent gift store located within the eatery.

At: Cool Chef Cafe , Thadani House, 329/A Worli Village, next to Indian Coast Guard
Call: 9699508368