Thursday 29 October 2015

Mumbai Farmers' Market by Karen Anand is back at The Westin Mumbai Garden City!!

After almost 30 successful Farmers’ Markets across the country, with 80 local restaurants, dozens of avid home bakers and amateur chefs, wineries, organic produce and 100,000+ visitors, Karen Anand and her team are back with the Mumbai Farmers' Market at the beautiful Westin Woods at The Westin Mumbai Garden City in Goregaon on a bright Sunday 1st November 2015.

In the age of home gourmets, culinary adventures and a return to natural foods, finally a lifestyle market which is a source of exceptional Indian produce. The city’s foodies congregate to explore curated culinary experiences including cookery demonstrations by Master Chefs and our very own Executive Chef Rahul Dhavale, meet a fresh and novel array of exhibitors from across the country and diverse spaces such as horticulture, kitchenware, artisanal cheese, home chefs, masalas, boutique food manufacturers, vegetable and fruit farmers and start up vendors who will come together to offer a super gourmet shopping experience.

At this Mumbai Farmers’ Market, look out for new restaurants like The Stick House, Pak a pav - kebabs in a pav, Junos pizza and Desi Deli with different types of hotdogs with an Indian twist. Executive Chef Rahul Dhavale and his talented team from The Westin Mumbai Garden City is all set to tempt you all with a variety of delicious sliders, Barbeque and tempting gelatoes.  Pop-ups by Guppy at Olive Bistro and Punjab Grill.


Exhibitors include our regulars - Raw Pressery and Jus Devine with healthy juices, Green Tokri from Pune for fruit and veggies, Yubbie packaged coconut water and Pride of Cows for unadulterated cow milk.  Flavoured teas and tea infusions by Taatva, Chado tea, Exalte teas and Brewlette; Bon Homia for coffee capsules and Nespresso like coffee machines. Kale chips by The Green Snack Co, raw banana flour by Kadhali, honey by Sanjeevani organics.


New to the market is Stahl India with their International looking brushed steel quality cookware. Your natural bath and body care needs will be fulfilled by Waterline Cosmetics, Shuddhi Therapy, Bliscent and new comers Ursha Innovations - the Kingfisher Bar and a foodie treasure hunt by Food Bloggers Association of India (FBAI)

Taste and buy the recently launched Pune Farmers’ Market range of conserves, dressings and sauces with a limited edition organic marmalade made by Karen Anand.  And don’t forget to pick up something to remember us by from the PFM merchandise counter – mugs, badges, fridge magnets, shoulder bags and T shirts.

For your spiritual needs, we have a host of your favourite Indian wineries to choose from - Sula, Reveilo, Rio’s fizzy wines, York and Charossa.

Mumbai Farmers' Market is the perfect opportunity to spend a Sunday leisurely enjoying the beautiful weather, walking around the gorgeous alfresco space at Westin Woods, eating, drinking, learning and meeting other food and drink enthusiasts. Let yourself go in the evening by shaking a leg to fabulous duo Mike and Sandra from 4pm till we shut.

Come this Sunday from 11 am to 8 pm for the Mumbai Farmers' Market which is a brilliant opportunity to experience a market that represents sustainability, quality food, drink and lifestyle….and a super fun day out!




Friday 23 October 2015

Westin Hotels & Resorts Welcomes Lara Dutta as Newest Well-Being Brand Advocate for Asia Pacific!!

Former Miss Universe and Bollywood actor joins Forces with Global Hotel Chain Westin Hotels & Resorts to help guests achieve a holistic approach to Wellness as Part of The Westin Well-being Movement.


Westin Hotels & Resorts announced its partnership with Wellness expert and Ex Miss Universe Lara Dutta as the newest Asia Pacific Westin Well-Being Brand Advocate. The partnership continues the momentum of The Westin Well-Being Movement, a $15 million brand-wide campaign launched last year designed to enhance the well-being of guests and associates around the world.


In her role as a well-being brand advocate, Lara will share her holistic lifestyle tips of restoring calm and balance at home or on the road with guests and associates; and how despite her hectic schedules, she is able to maintain a balance of work and life.  She will also create content and share her wellness and fitness choices on social media channels in order to reach a wider audience of guests and associates around the world.




“I am delighted to be a part of the Westin Well –Being Movement” said Lara Dutta. “I have always believed in a holistic approach to wellness; what one eats, what exercise regimen one follows and how one counters stress. The key to wellness is balance and positive thinking. I have benefited from this in my profession and personal life. Through this association, I look forward to sharing my own knowledge and experience with others.”





As a former Miss Universe as well as in her current role as a film actor, Lara Dutta has become a wellness inspiration to many. She has been practising yoga for over 12 years and has also launched her Prenatal Yoga CD, helping pregnant women and young mothers to adopt a balanced and stress-free lifestyle. Her proactive approach to well being suitably aligns with Westin brand’s six pillars of wellness: Sleep Well, Eat Well, Move Well, Feel Well, Work Well and Play Well. Westin Hotels & Resorts has been an industry innovator with a history of firsts in the wellness space, and partnering Lara as the first Well-Being Brand Advocate in India reinforces the Westin brand’s continued push to deliver wellness on the road.




“We are thrilled to have Lara Dutta on board as Asia Pacific’s newest Well-Being Brand Advocate for Westin,” said Vincent Ong, Senior Brand Director, Brand Management, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Asia Pacific. “What makes Lara’s association with the Well-Being movement relevant is her holistic approach to life as well as her enthusiasm for healthy living throughout her career from Miss Universe to a working mother. We see this partnership with Lara as yet another innovative way the Westin Well-Being Movement transcends to our guests and associates; inspiring them to lead a healthier life.” he added.

With a brand positioning rooted in wellness for more than a decade, Westin Hotels & Resorts is dedicated to ensuring that guests leave feeling better than when they arrive.  In March 2014, the brand launched The Westin Well-Being Movement – a global initiative designed to enhance the Well-Being of guests and associates with the introduction of a string of innovative partnerships and programs across the brand’s six pillars of Well-Being.  Building upon its existing healthy SuperFoodsRx™ menus, Westin recently introduced new delicious and nutrient-rich offerings including Westin Fresh by The Juicery, featuring energizing juices and smoothies, and kid-tested nourishing dishes developed in partnership with SuperChefsTM on the Westin Eat Well Menu for Kids. The inspiration for Westin’s wellness strategy, the iconic Heavenly® Bed is lauded as one of hospitality’s great innovations. WestinWORKOUT®, RunWESTIN™ and Westin Gear Lending with New Balance® are some of the other initiatives of the brand, designed for wellness.

Monday 5 October 2015

‘Together as One’ gear up for 5 k Hotel Charity Run - Run to Give!!

This Sunday 11th October 2015 in the bustling city of Mumbai, as part of the Starwood Asia Pacific-wide initiative hotels The Westin Mumbai Garden City and St. Regis Mumbai will integrate together to organize a philanthropic fitness event in support of Make-a-Wish Foundation India helping critically ill children realize their hearts desire . All the proceeds collected will be dedicated towards the fundraising for Make a Wish - India Foundation, supporting as an aid to meet the wishes of young children diagnosed with Cancer, Thalassemia, HIV, Muscular Dystrophy etc.



Run to Give is the continuation of Starwood Asia Pacific charity movement Together As One (TAO), Starwood’s annual global volunteer campaign. The inaugural Hotel Charity Run in 2014 saw an overwhelming response of over 20,000 runners raised a total of close to USD 228,000. This unique run will take place in 105 locations of Starwood hotels across Asia Pacific, with an aim to raise funds for the NGO or local community cause.  Starwood has dedicated the entire month of October to encourage additional volunteer efforts and also celebrate its associates’ volunteer work that takes place year-round throughout the world, making a positive impact in their communities.



Sharing thoughts on the altruistic movement  General Manager, Ashish Kumar Rai said “We are delighted to take forward Starwood’s commitment to make a difference to our community. Run to Give is a charitable movement that encourages a fun and healthy activity and inspires our guests to discover new approaches to well-being at Westin and beyond. Through our association with Make a Wish - India Foundation, the benefactions we collect will provide aid in gratifying wishes of Children diagnosed with life threatening medical conditions. Our team is looking forward to lend a hand in the enhancement of our community”



The race category in Mumbai will be 5 KM category, where the lush green environs of Goregoan will turn into the running track for the participants. Participants can register at INR.500. As part of the registration package, participants will receive a running kit with T-shirt, bottled water and refreshment. Interested participants can contact Marketing Communications at The Westin Mumbai Garden City, reach out at marketing.mumbaigardencity@westin.com

Come unite with The Westin Mumbai Garden City & St. Regis Mumbai to lend support to NGO Make-a-wish Foundation, India.