Chef Season at Benares Bar with Dhruv Baker

Michelin starred chef Atul Kochhar has joined forces with some of the country’s leading chefs to create a series of fusion menus to be served at the stylish Benares Bar in Mayfair. The Chef Season has so far included names such as Anna Hansen (The Modern Pantry), Richard Corrigan (Corrigan’s), David Thompson (Nahm), Shelina Permalloo (Masterchef) and Jose Pizarro (Jose and Pizarro). Next month on 22nd October Atul will be joined by Dhruv Baker (Masterchef Winner 2010) and the menu will be available until 27th October.

Each chef works closely with Atul to prepare a menu of small plates reflecting the layers of flavours and spices Atul is so famous for, combined with their own signature style.

Guests will be able to choose from a menu consisting of nine dishes designed to share (3 dishes priced at £21 per person) made by both Atul and the guest chefs. Atul’s selection will include: Bengali style potato chops with chickpea salsa, soft shell crab and puff rice salad and lamb seekh kebab with mint and tamarind glaze. Dishes will be complemented by the Benares signature cocktails such as The Benares Bellini mixed with Cartron liqueur – mango, passion fruit or strawberry – topped with prosecco and passion fruit and Chutney Martini and Atul’s very own Domaine du Grand Mayne designed to perfectly complement the dishes by softening spices and reinforcing aromas.

Dhruv’s dishes will include seared pigeon breast with a spiced pea puree and tamarind sauce; Mussalam lamb, saffron pomme anna and beetroot chutney; squid stuffed with fennel seeds, chilli, salmon and prawn mousseline with a lemon mayonnaise and crispy fried aubergine with truffled honey and bhartha purée. Dhruv’s cocktail of choice will be spiced rum, cloudy apple juice, lime juice, angostura, vanilla, cinnamon and star anise sugar syrup with a maraschino cherry.

Since opening in May 2003, Benares has gone from strength to strength. Never complacent with the quality of his work, Atul has been instrumental in redefining the perception of Indian cooking that captures the spiritual and uplifting essence of Northern India. The Chef Season marks an exciting new episode for Benares and a unique opportunity for visitors to enjoy the work of some the world’s finest culinary talent.