The Hindu : Front Page : Chicken returning to Capital's restaurants

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Feb 26, 2006

Front Page

Front Page

Chicken returning to Capital's restaurants

Bindu Shajan Perappadan

WHO'S AFRAID OF CHICKEN? : Not Hyderabad, as this picture from there earlier this week shows, and certainly not Delhi now going by reports from the Capital's restaurants on Saturday. - PHOTO: MOHAMMED YOUSUF

NEW DELHI: Nearly a week after it made a hasty exit from menus in the Capital's restaurants in the wake of the outbreak of bird flu in the country, chicken is now making a cautious but steady comeback.

Delhiites are, however, still finding it tough to spot their all-time favourite "tandoori chicken" and food products using raw eggs that are yet to get an "O.K. certificate" from the health authorities.

Back in business after nearly a week, restaurants in the city claim that they are finally confident of putting the chicken back on the menu as the demand has seen an upsurge. Dishes using raw eggs, though, are still off limits with people generally maintaining that they would "rather wait for the situation to stabilise''.

Increased demand

"We have put the chicken back on the menu since Friday following an increased demand for the same. Extensive health awareness programmes about bird flu have ensured that there is no panic among the general public and people are finding it safe to opt for well-cooked chicken items. The sale of chicken items had taken a beating last week but we are seeing a steady sale now," said Umesh Mattoo, Corporate Head Chef of Piccadelhi in Connaught Place, on Saturday.

Signs of recovery

Popular fast food eating joint McDonald's too faced some initial drop in sale of chicken items last week but did not strike chicken off its menu. "We are now witnessing signs of recovery with people feeling safer to bite into a chicken burger," said an employee.

Tested, certified

Officials at Domino's Pizza outlets in the Capital claimed that since they were offering chicken that was "tested and certified" before use they did not see any drop in sales all along.

"Though we did get some calls from customers worried after the bird flu scare, we informed them of the fact that only certified chicken was being used and that ensured a steady sale throughout last week."

Chefs at Berco's and Pizza Express said that chicken was now finally making a recovery.

"Though sales have dropped, people seem to understand that chicken in Delhi is safe. We had seen a fast ascending demand for lamb and fish items last week, but with no cases of bird flu here, people are finally feeling comfortable about the chicken though it is yet to regain its previous popularity ratings," said Chef Pema Tsetan at Berco's.

"We never took chicken off the menu as demand had dropped drastically last week. However, things are improving now and we are seeing more people opting for chicken dishes," said Le Meridien Marketing Manager Akhil Mathur.

Safe distance

Still choosing to maintain a safe distance from chicken, popular city restaurants including Ploof and Karim's are yet to put it back on the menu, while others like Moshe's Oliva have opted for the time being to serve chicken only to customers who ask for it.

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