Tag: Fusion Food

Spotlight

Lily Catering Services: Redefining Wedding Experiences Across Goa with Flavor, Warmth, and Passion

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo

It’s been an incredibly rewarding journey for Lily Catering Services, traveling across every corner of Goa and curating unforgettable experiences for weddings and events. Each event brings new learning, new people, and the joy of sharing good food. What has touched the team most is the warmth and acceptance they’ve received from clients all over the state. Along the way, they’ve discovered Goa’s many cultures and traditions, and with each event, they’ve grown more connected to the people they serve.

The menu at Lily Catering Services reflects a perfect balance of Goan heritage and global influence. Signature dishes like BBQ Pork Ribs, Pork Belly in Hunan Sauce, and Shepherd’s Pie bring together comfort and creativity, while desserts such as the Dark Chocolate Marquise, Baklava Cheesecake Roll, and Tender Coconut Kheer add a distinct and memorable finish to every celebration.

When planning a wedding, the goal is simple—to create a menu that stands out. Whether it’s a Goan celebration or a modern themed event, the team curates dishes that surprise and delight guests. They often suggest fusion menus that mix Goan favorites with international flavors, and the joy on guests’ faces as they try something new makes it all worthwhile.

Each menu is personalized to reflect the couple’s taste and personality. Tasting sessions help finalize dishes, and dietary requirements like vegan, gluten-free, or Jain meals are handled with utmost care. The team works closely to customize dishes, brief the service staff, and ensure every guest feels included and cared for.

Some of the most memorable experiences have come from large-scale weddings—events that feel like organized chaos but end in triumph when everything flows seamlessly. Behind the success is a well-trained team, many of whom have worked together for years. Their shared experience and chemistry make the service smooth, efficient, and professional.

Communication is key, and the team maintains constant contact with wedding planners and venues through WhatsApp and calls to ensure every detail is aligned. Alongside food, Lily Catering Services also offers bar services, featuring cocktails and mocktails customized to the couple’s story—sometimes even recreating the first drink they shared together. Popular choices like the ‘Busy Bombay’ cocktail and their rotating seasonal creations keep guests delighted year after year.

Behind every dish is a skilled culinary team personally trained to uphold high standards. With flexible catering packages, including special discounts for upcoming seasons, Lily Catering Services ensures that great food is accessible without compromising on quality. Regular training sessions and workshops keep the team sharp, ensuring service that’s both warm and professional.

Feedback from clients has been overwhelmingly positive, with guests often praising the unique flavors and presentation. Even small, detailed feedback is valued—it reflects the company’s commitment to perfection. From the first consultation to the final event, clients receive hands-on support, ensuring that every element runs smoothly and stress-free.

When asked what makes the team special, the founder says they’re like a Shepherd’s Pie—a blend of many ingredients coming together to create something comforting and satisfying. The same spirit drives their work ethic and passion.

With new dishes and services launching every season, and a dream of catering beyond Goa, Lily Catering Services continues to grow. Their ultimate vision is to take their love for food and hospitality global—ensuring that no matter where they go, every meal carries a little bit of Goan warmth and a whole lot of heart.

Spotlight

Chef Valerian: Serving Goa on a Plate – A Culinary Tale from Siolim to the World

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo

From the lush, sunlit hills of Siolim, Goa, to the bustling kitchens of international cruise lines and five-star hotels, Chef Valerian, fondly known as Vali, has crafted an 18-year culinary journey rooted in tradition and driven by innovation.

🌿 A Passion Born in a Goan Kitchen

Vali’s journey began in his childhood kitchen, where his mother and grandmother stirred up magic during family feasts and village celebrations. It wasn’t just the aromas or the spices—it was the love behind every dish that left a mark. Watching them cook kindled a fascination in young Valerian. While other kids played outside, he was inside experimenting with flavors, unknowingly laying the foundation for his culinary path.

🎓 The Culinary Climb

His professional journey started at Alcon Culinary School (then Victor Exotica, now Radisson Candolim), where he mastered the fundamentals. He worked as a commis chef, participated in hotel pre-openings, collaborated with celebrity chef Shailendra Kekde, and even managed seven cloud kitchen outlets during the COVID era, showcasing multiple cuisines from a single source.

Later, his culinary curiosity led him to the Royal Caribbean Cruises, where he further honed his skills in global and indigenous cuisines. From traditional Goan food to modern fusion, every experience added a new dimension to his cooking.

🍛 The Flavors of Goa – His Signature

Chef Valerian proudly champions Goan cuisine, presenting it with a twist while respecting its roots.

Must-try dishes include:

  • Goan Fish Curry – A coastal staple made with coconut, raw mango, and region-specific chilies.
  • Mackerel Uddamethi – A bold Hindu Goan curry with roasted methi, coconut, and local spices.
  • Chicken Xacuti – A spiced delight with poppy seeds and Kashmiri chilies.
  • Crab Xec Xec – A rich, aromatic dish of crab and roasted spice paste.
  • Pork Vindaloo – A Portuguese-influenced tangy pork dish, with variations across Goa.

Each dish speaks of Goa’s diverse cultural heritage—Hindu, Christian, Portuguese, and coastal influences blended into a single cuisine.

🔥 Innovation on the Plate

Vali doesn’t just recreate—he reimagines Goan cuisine. By using modern techniques like sous vide, smoking, and even molecular gastronomy, he elevates local dishes to fine-dining experiences. He’s blended Goan ingredients with Korean chili flakes, Japanese miso, and Mediterranean herbs to craft inventive fusion plates.

But no matter how far he goes creatively, he always ensures that heritage remains at the heart.

💡 Learning from the Kitchen

One memorable lesson came when experimenting with Balchão. A sweeter tomato purée accidentally altered the dish. But instead of tossing it, Vali added vinegar and spices—resulting in a pleasantly surprising twist that customers ended up loving. For him, mistakes are just hidden opportunities in the kitchen.

👨‍🍳 Inspirations Behind the Apron

Vali credits his mother and grandmother as his first culinary inspirations. He also follows Goan chef Avinash Martins, and looks up to Sanjeev Kapoor, Vikas Khanna, Ranveer Brar, and global icons like Gordon Ramsay and Marco Pierre White. Food bloggers and Goan writers also shape his evolving palate.

📲 Social Media & Community

Chef Valerian uses platforms like Instagram and YouTube to:

  • Share Goan recipes and kitchen stories
  • Engage with a growing foodie community
  • Collaborate with chefs, bloggers, and influencers
  • Post behind-the-scenes content and food photography

His page is a visual feast that celebrates food, tradition, and creativity.

🚀 What’s Cooking Next?

Vali has big plans:

  1. Launching a dedicated Goan food blog
  2. Exploring fusion collaborations with chefs from different cuisines
  3. Expanding his social media presence to connect with global food lovers

🗣️ Words to Young Chefs

For aspiring chefs, Vali’s advice is clear:

  • Experiment fearlessly
  • Respect tradition
  • Taste, adjust, repeat
  • Stay curious
  • And above all, have fun in the kitchen

🌶️ Kitchen Essentials

Vali’s Goan kitchen is never without:

  • Coconut – The soul of coastal cooking
  • Spices – To build flavor depth
  • Fresh chilies – For that bold punch
  • Fresh coriander – His go-to herb

From village feasts to global kitchens, Chef Valerian continues to share his love for Goa through every plated story. His mission is simple: “Let’s get cooking and savor the flavors of Goa together!”