THE celebration of Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, is always a happy and well-attended occasion at Marco Polo Plaza Cebu. Khana, the annual Culinary Journey at the hotel’s signature restaurant, Café Marco, brings together friends from the Indian community in Cebu and Cebuanos who have developed a love for the rich, complex flavors of Indian cuisine.

Flying in especially for the occasion was Indian national Chef Singh Amar from Marco Polo Hong Kong Hotel, who worked with the Cebu hotel’s culinary team to make even more varied and authentic the Khana spread that was highlighted in Café Marco’s regular international buffet. During the launch of Khana, the Hindi word for “food,” a brass lamp holding a tower of candles was ceremoniously lit at the hotel lobby by Chef Singh, Marco Polo Plaza Cebu resident manager Michaela Priesner, former Khana culinary consultant Judeline Murjani and TMX Philippines general manager Santhana Krishnan Vaidaswaran.

Considering how well received Khana is every year by hotel visitors, we can only keep hoping that Indian cuisine will be a more regular feature in one of Cebu’s best-loved hotel buffets!