Let’s do an exercise. Close your eyes and picture where you want to be after this long week is done. Chances are you transported yourself to Goa, am I right? Last week The Park Hyatt Resort And Spa hosted the Cashew Trail 2016 and they had an entire bunch of activities that showcased Goa’s favourite fruit. First conceptualised in 2012 in partnership with Madame Rosa Distillery, it happens every year in April just in time for the harvest.
There were a bunch of really cool activities, starting with a biking expedition from the Madame Rosa Cashew Farm to the hotel where the bikers enjoyed an entire farm to table brunch. The next few days saw masterclasses on the famed feni and urak, a cocktail making class with cocktail master Maynard D’costa and a cocktail clash between the biggest bartenders in Goa. Then, kickstarting the weekend was a heritage walk through South Goa with acclaimed artist Dr. Subodh Kerkar, which was a treat for history buffs for sure. Finally, Friday night saw an amazing five-course sit down dinner with feni and urak pairings that was undoubtedly more interesting than a run-of-the mill food and wine kind of experience. and finally there was a family brunch with a cashew cook off and stomping and so much more. There was a kiddie play-zone and free-flowing cocktails for the adults!
This festival happens every year in the summer and is an experience like no other! We can vouch for that. Here are some glimpses into the entire week’s worth of activities for you to get a sense of the experience:
Farm to table
Roasting cashews
Lime is an essential ingredient when enjoying a glass of Feni
Chefs picking fresh seafood
Tour
Dinner being plated
Cashew Brunch
Cashew Brunch
Cocktail Class
Brunch set up
Salmon with Choriçp, Balchao oil and sweet potato and potato two ways
New Zealand Lamb Chop with Chilli Tomato Tartare, Chilli & Crab Croquette & Chilli Capsicum Jam
Sweet Potato & Potato Two Ways with Homemade Queso & Roasted Cauliflower
Helicopter rides
Picnic table setup
A visit to the bakery
A visit to the bakery
Cashews at harvest
Cashew Stomping
Cashew themed cook off
Cashew Trail Brunch
Doesn’t it look like the perfect summer excursion?
P.S: The festivities might be over, but just in case you find yourself in Goa you can enjoy some offers that are on till the end of the month like the cashew spa treatment at the hotel or even a lunch at the spice plantation with an excursion to a cashew factory!
This post is in partnership with The Park Hyatt Resort & Spa, Goa.