“Zayeka” Food Fest Creates A Palate-Pleasing Culinary Extravaganza At iLEAD Group”

The Fairfield by Mariott witnessed a unique event on 23 December 2023. Employees of the iLEAD Group transcended daily boundaries to step into a world of flavors, aromas and culinary creativity to participate in ‘Zayeka 2023’.

Zayeka is an annual event conceptualized by the iLEAD Group to give a platform to its employees and their families to celebrate diversity, teamwork and the universal language of delicious food! Armed with cooking skills, secret recipes and unquenchable passion for food, employees are encouraged to form teams and compete to showcase their gastronomic talents.

The focal point of the event was the amiable competition where teams concocted an assortment of mouthwatering starters and desserts. From savory delights to sweet temptations, Zayeka true to its name, presented a tantalizing feast for discerning palates.

The first round kicked off with starters crafted around the theme of ‘India’s Breakfast Cook-Off.’ The delectable lineup included stuffed Idli, mughlai parantha, succulent green kebabs, and mouth-watering spiral rolls. This round challenged teams to blend cuisines from different cultures, to create fusion dishes that surprised and delighted.

Similarly, the dessert round was centered around ‘Celebrating Festivals Of India’. From winter favorites such as cupcakes and truffles, to traditional Indian delights like Halwa, Ghewar, and Indrani, this round was all about innovation, inviting teams to reimagine classic desserts, infusing them with unexpected twists and turns. The presentation of these sweet creations transformed the event into a true paradise for those with a penchant for all things sweet.

iLEAD Group brings together the combined talents of employees of Synapse XTL, Ecosystem Ventures and FinStack under its banner. The strength of iLead Group lies in this diversity and collaborative spirit.

Abhishek Sanghvi, the visionary Founder, partner and director of iLEAD Group, expressed his excitement and appreciation for the remarkable culinary talent within the organization as Zayeka 2023 unfolded. He remarked, “We are thrilled to witness our team members’ incredible talent and passion for food. Zayeka is not just a food competition; it’s a celebration of collaboration, diversity, and the shared success of our vibrant community. We’re already looking forward to the next one!”

Some of the key highlights of Zayeka 2023 were:

1. Maasi ki Rasoi: A stall at the event showcased an enticing fusion creation called “Spiral Rolls,” seamlessly melding Indian fillings with zesty Chinese sauces to deliver a uniquely spicy and tangy culinary delight with an Indo-Chinese twist.
2. Mishty Delights: For the Zayeka event, they embraced a Bengali theme with the delightful group name ‘Mishty Delights’, presenting the exquisite Bengali dish ‘Rasmalai’.
3. Flame Kings: A compelling combination of Mughlai and Stuffed Parathas, delivering a crispy and mouth- watering experience. Their stellar performance earned them the distinguished 1st runner-up prize in the starter category.
4. Indori Tummy: with a culinary flair that combined South Indian breakfast traditions and the distinctive flavours of Indore, it presented a delectable dish of roasted Stuffed Idlis.
5. Nutcracker Noshers: The Nutcracker Noshers adorned their stall with a festive Christmas theme, showcasing a delightful pair of desserts – cupcakes and truffles. The cupcake flavors ranged from Butterscotch, Chocolate to Mango, Blueberry, and Strawberry. On the other hand, the truffle offerings included the delectable flavors of Oreo and coconut.
6. Jai Shree Krishna: brought forth the divine sweetness associated with Lord Krishna through their offering of Prasadam. This delightful creation, Haandwi, is a sweet dish crafted with love and devotion in Gujarat. Comprising Milk, Ghee, Semolina, and an abundance of nuts, it paid homage to ShreenathJi and earned them the esteemed 1st runner-up prize in the dessert category.
7. Jashn – e – Mithas: The participants crafted a homemade delight, Ghewar, an authentic Rajasthani dish bursting with flavours of saffron and cardamoms, bagging the first prize in the dessert category.
8. Baa Ke Deekre: The stall proudly presented the culinary masterpiece “Haro Bharo Daado,” a nutritious Gujarati dish accompanied by a complimentary Paan shot. Their exceptional creation earned them the first prize in the starter category.

Overall, Zayeka proved to be an outstanding success, sparking anticipation for the next delightful culinary experience. As the event concluded, children were treated to enchanting gifts from a beloved Santa, adding a touch of magic to the festivities. Here’s to the joyous blend of delectable cuisine, memorable moments, and engaging employee activities. The event concluded with a Christmas spirit and even saw Santa Claus bearing gifts for all the kids at the event. Zayeka 2023 was a testament to the power of collaboration and the magic that happens when all come together.🥂