Moti Mahal Delux

Moti Mahal is a chain of restaurants with over 90 franchisees in India. Starting with Moti Mahal restaurant established by Kundan Lal Gujral in Daryaganj, Delhi. ^[1] It was the first Indian restaurant to introduce tandoori cuisine to the world^{[citation needed]}. Some of the restaurants are popular for reasons other than their food, too - the Moti Mahal Restaurant at Metrowalk Mall Rohini, Delhi, holds the record for constructing the longest aquarium in India in the Limca Book of Records^{[citation needed]}.

History

Moti Mahal was first set up in undivided India in 1920 by a Hindu Punjabi, Kundan Lal Gujral. Following the partition between India and Pakistan, Gujral found himself one among many Hindu refugees fleeing the rioting and upheaval by moving to India. He moved his restaurant to Delhi in a place called Daryaganj. Kundan Lal Gujral is famous for inventing tandoori chicken^[2]. He also invented other Indian dishes, such as butter chicken^[3] and modern dal makhani.^[4]

Kundan Lal Gujral was born in the first decade of the 20th century in Chakwal, in undivided Punjab. Having lost his father at the age of ten, he started looking for avenues to support the family. Kundan Lal was the first in Peshawar to dig a tandoor right in the middle of the eatery. Since then, Peshawar was introduced to the culinary art of tandoori chicken by Kundan Lal. This was a grand success. Soon, Kundan was in demand for tandoori delicacies at social gatherings and wedding feasts, where he would use an improvised tandoor.

The new contemporary look

Moti Mahal Restaurants changed its name to Moti Mahal Delux - Tandoori Trail, which was started by Monish Gujral as a tribute to his grandfather Kundan Lal Gujral. Presently, Monish Gujral is the MD of the Moti Mahal chain of restaurants, with over 90 franchisees spread throughout India.

Motimahal Ready to Eat

Moti Mahal has launched its new range of processed food products known as Moti Mahal ready to eat.^[5] The food products include specialties like dal Motimahal, butter (Makhani), gravy channa pndi, aloo zeera, navrattan curry, subzi Moti biryani, etc.

Specialties

Butter chicken

Butter chicken is one of the most renowned Indian dishes. Originated in the land of Punjab by Kundan Lal Gujral, it is now savored by people all over the world. At Moti Mahal Delux Tandoori Trail, it is known as the special Signature butter chicken.

Tandoori chicken

Tandoori chicken is the legacy of Moti Mahal Restaurants. Previously, earth and clay tandoors were used to prepare chapattis and naans. It was not before Kundan Lal Gujral that anyone thought of preparing chicken in tandoor. Tandoori chicken was a great creation that grabbed the attention of international cookeries to explore more about Indian culinary art.

Dal makhani

Dal makhani is one of the most characteristic dishes of North India. It is usually prepared slowly on low heat and blended with butter or cream.

Awards and accolades

Kundan Lal Gujral has received several awards and recognitions, such as:

• Indian Association of Tour Operators lifetime achievement award^[6] for introducing tandoori cuisine to the world in 1991
• H&FS Award for his lifetime contribution to food and beverage industry in 1995.
• World Tourism Promotion Award in recognition of his innovation, the tandoori chicken, and contribution to hospitality industry.
• Trans Himalayan Selection Award -Gold Medal for introducing to the world tandoori cuisine

Other awards given to Moti Mahal Delux Tandoori Trail Restaurants

• Winner Coca Cola Golden Spoon Award for the Most Admired F&B Retailer -chain of restaurants of the Year 2009-2010^[7]
• A Moti Mahal cookbook authored by Monish Gujral was awarded the Best Easy Recipe Book of the World by Gourmand Book PARIS on 11 Feb 2010.^[8]
• Winner the BEST of Best Restaurant in Delhi and NCR by Mail Today 2009- 2010
• The Franchise India Holding Ltd. – Franchise Awards 2006 on 3 December 2006 for the best in food and beverage category
• Awarded as “Best of the Best” Delhi-NCR’s Finest Restaurants by Antiquity and Mail Today
• Editor’s Choice Award – HT City Eating Out Guide

External links

• Moti Mahal Delux -Tandoori Trail website
• Monish Gujral's website

References

1. ^ "100 years of Dilli Khana". Business Line. 2011. http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/features/life/article2071297.ece. 
2. ^ http://www.indianexpress.com/news/motimahal-celebrates-kabab-festival/734816/
3. ^ Butter Chicken: The Immortal Echelon Of Indian Culinary http://www.articlesbase.com/restaurant-reviews-articles/butter-chicken-the-immortal-echelon-of-indian-culinary-1979320.html
4. ^ The modern dal makhani was invented by Moti Mahal Vir Sanghvi website.
5. ^ Cooking made easy http://www.hindustantimes.com/rssfeed/food/Cooking-made-easy/Article1-576575.aspx
6. ^ http://iato.in/awardees.html
7. ^ Most Admired F&B Retailer of the Year: Dine-in Indian Origin Winner: Moti Mahal http://www.indiaretailing.com/News.aspx?Topic=1&Id=4558
8. ^ The Moti Mahal Cookbook - Best Easy Recipe Book in the World http://www.penguinbooksindia.com/NewsDetail.aspx?NewsID=44