A Culinary Celebration at HT City Unwind 2026
On February 7, 2026, the vibrant atmosphere of Delhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium was alive with the flavors of India at the fifth edition of Autotope presents HT City Unwind – The Ultimate Food & Music Carnival. Co-presented by Krasa and co-powered by Zappfresh.com and Prestige, this event was a delightful blend of food, music, and laughter, showcasing the rich culinary heritage of the region.
Chef Tarun Sibal: A Taste of Delhi
Returning for his third stint at HT City Unwind, Chef Tarun Sibal kicked off the festivities with a tribute to Delhi’s beloved comfort food: chaat. His session began with the ever-popular dahi puri, instantly captivating the audience. Sibal described Delhi’s palate as “phenomenal,” inviting home chefs on stage to create an interactive cooking experience filled with humor and camaraderie.
Following the dahi puri, he introduced a winter delicacy: Amritsari macchi in a brown butter reduction, complemented by his signature peeli chutney and homemade tomato butter. The dish was a celebration of seasonal flavors, with unmistakable notes of sarson (mustard) that resonated with the chilly weather.
Sibal’s engaging personality shone through as he shared a humorous family anecdote, revealing, “Mera beta meko number deta hai jab bhi main khana batata hun. Mujhe kabhi 8 se zyada nahin mile. Kabhi bahut khush ho gaya toh maybe 8.5!” His light-hearted approach made the cooking demonstration not just informative but also entertaining.
Home Chefs Take the Stage
Among the enthusiastic home chefs was Vaishali Arora, a homemaker from Paharganj, who relished both dishes despite her dietary restrictions. The atmosphere was filled with laughter as Chef Sibal joked about “Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday” vegetarians, encouraging everyone to enjoy food without guilt. Vaishali chimed in, “Main toh Tuesday Thursday Saturday bhi nahi khaati lekin ye toh khana banta tha! Waise maine non veg bahut late khana shuru kiya aur ghar wale nahin khate. Lekin main unke liye paneer mein isko banaungi.”
This exchange highlighted the joy of cooking and sharing food, transcending dietary boundaries and bringing people together.
Chef Harpal Singh Sokhi: Humor as an Ingredient
As the event progressed, Chef Harpal Singh Sokhi took the stage, infusing his signature namak shamak style into the cooking demonstration. His menu featured Chicken Cordon Bleu and a vibrant vegetable stir fry, but it was his comedic flair that truly captivated the audience.
Sokhi’s quick wit was on full display as he responded to an audience member who admitted to using free oregano sachets from pizza deliveries. “Pizza ke saath jo free mein milta hai na oregano. Uske chakkar mein koi pizza company pause nahi kar paayegi,” he quipped, eliciting laughter from the crowd. His ability to blend humor with culinary expertise created an engaging atmosphere that encouraged audience participation.
Fans, Selfies, and Foodie Love
The excitement reached new heights when influencer Mallika Banati, known as @imtoocheesyforyou, made a special appearance during Chef Sokhi’s session. Joining him on stage, she expressed her admiration for his culinary creations and posed for selfies, much to the delight of the audience.
Jasmeet Kaur, a 24-year-old paralegal from Gurgaon, encapsulated the event’s spirit: “The food is fab. Chef is so nice. He’s so funny. His coordination with the people, his attraction with the people…. The namak shamak ke saath making people laugh – it was all amazing! Not just food but humour too! He just won my heart.”
Looking Ahead
As Day 1 of HT City Unwind 2026 came to a close, the excitement for Day 2 was palpable. Chefs Nishant Choubey and Suvir Saran were set to take over the kitchen, promising more culinary delights and engaging experiences.
For those eager to stay updated on the festivities, following @htcity.delhijunction and @htcityunwind on Instagram will provide a front-row seat to the flavors and fun that continue to unfold at this remarkable food and music carnival.
