With an aim to nurture hyperlocal communities and showcase Bengaluru’s culinary culture, SOCIAL is starting a month-long showcase of Karnovore Kitchen as part of its new IP Local Heroes. This new initiative will be led by home chef Kalyan Gopalakrishna in collaboration with SOCIAL’s city Chef Saurabh Arora.
Speaking about the new IP, Ranveer Sabhani, Business Head – South, Impresario Handmade Restaurants says, “The pandemic has been particularly tough on the F&B industry. During these testing times, we at SOCIAL are creating opportunities for meaningful collaborations that will help the industry benefit from each other. Apart from providing a platform to the local culinary maestros to showcase their talents, we will also be sharing a percentage of proceeds from the collaborations with the chefs.”
Kickstarting in Bangalore this month, the first edition of Local Heroes features a purely non-vegetarian menu inspired by old Bangalore Naati Oota cuisine. The menu features classic Naati Oota dishes limited to Mutton (Sheep) & Naati Koli (Country Chicken).
Speaking about the inspiration behind the menu, Chef Kalyan Gopalakrishna says, “I’ve always been fascinated by carnivorous food, be it meat shopping, butchering, or cooking. Growing up in Mysore, I remember ditching friends and Sunday cricket just so I could tag along with my dad for Mutton or Naati Koli shopping. While I took the plunge into the F&B industry in 2013, all the love and encouragement that I have received from the community over the years has culminated in the creation of Karnivore Kitchen, my home-based venture that I started in April 2020. So it’s wonderful to have an opportunity to showcase my family recipes from this traditional Bangalorean cuisine via this collaboration with SOCIAL.”
Over the years, SOCIAL has become synonymous with trailblazing experiences that make it one of the most exciting F&B brands in the country. Famous for putting an experimental spin on classic dishes, going through the SOCIAL menu is no less than going on a culinary adventure. It was natural then for the brand to curate a special Naati Oota inspired menu, which originated in the early 20th century and is one of the only cuisines whose origin can be attributed to Bangalore.
Says Saurabh Arora, City Chef, SOCIAL, “The Local Heroes menu in collaboration with Karnivore Kitchen has been created using authentic Old Bangalore recipes that are entirely inspired by local culture, and are nutritious, organic, and home-style. The limited period menu includes Chef Kalyan’s all-time favourite dishes, such as Chilli Pork, Bannur Mutton Palav, Karnivore Chilli Chicken, and Pork Belly Fry, to name a few.”
To accompany some of the authentic Naati Oota dishes, the menu also features special cocktails like Aam Yourself – an extra dry martini made from with raw mango-infused vodka; Gin Fizz – a SOCIAL take on Gin with a special homemade carbonated Panaka; Whiskey Tart – made with an egg white foam, sweet & sour mix, and fresh jamun and Sweet & Sour Gin – Gin with Kokum syrup and fizzy ginger ale.
The first edition of Local Heroes goes live across all 5 SOCIAL outposts in Bangalore starting August 13th to September 28th, 2021 for both dine-in & #OrderDirect.
