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Code good

Now that bird flu haze has cleared, denizens are savouring luscious chunks of chicken with a vengeance, finds out K.N. MURALI SANKAR

FAVOURITE CUISINE Eating chicken with vengeance

Chicken is back with a bang. The mysterious code that surrounded chicken consumption, what with the reports of bird flu, has finally been cracked. Mouth-watering delicacies like chicken tikka, chicken biryani and chicken fry once again find their place of pride in menu at city hotels and restaurants. Chicken consumption dwindled following reports of the outbreak of bird flu in some parts of the country.

But the most sought-after non-vegetarian dish has made a magnificent comeback into the kitchens. The waning cloud of suspicion over bird flu cases has prompted chicken-lovers to unleash themselves on their favourite dishes after a forced break.

"Eating out is not complete without a chicken dish," says Ch. Vaidehi of Moghalrajapuram. Working in the US, the woman took a break to visit the city and hosted a dinner to a group of friends at Tycoons restaurant. They feasted on chicken dum biryani and noodles. "I had to stop eating chicken for almost four months. This was the longest gap for me," she observes.

Altered choice

Like Vaidehi, many others who had shunned eating chicken due to fear of bird flu are seen digging into succulent chicken dishes. "In the recent Kebab festival we hosted, we offered 50 varieties of kebabs, including 18 chicken delicacies. A majority of the guests preferred chicken kebabs indicating a clear tilt in their preference," observes Brijesh Thakur, chief chef of Hotel D.V. Manor. Shai Mong Pista, Rusberry Rani, Moorg Mugalai, Khulla Murg and Swarna Kebab were a few kebab varieties, which were in great demand during the festival. "Chicken dishes are back and the kitchen looks so complete now," chuckles Brijesh.

Same is the case with households that are used to have slap-up dinner sessions comprising a lavish spread of their favourite dishes. "I used to cook chicken once a week before the outbreak of bird flu. But, now we eat chicken twice a week to make up for the loss," chortles Geetha, a housewife from Patamata.

Feasting foodies

The price of chicken is increasing on a par with the demand. "There is a steady growth in demand and price.

Once the monsoon begins, there will be a multi-fold growth in demand," P. Eeswar, marketing executive of Suguna Broiler Chicken, exudes confidence. "In the days of bird flu scare, we were forced to resort to distress sale of chicken for less than Rs.18 a kg. Now the price of chicken in retail market is Rs. 41 per kg," he says.

Bromark, which enjoys a lion's share in chicken market, registers sale of over 1000 kg of chicken every day in Vijayawada market alone. "We are selling over 4,000 kg of chicken on Sundays and holidays," says G. Bujja Rao, spokesperson for Bromark. He says before the bird flu, the sale was 1,200 kg on weekends and 4,500 kg on Sundays and holidays.

"Fortunately, there is no bird flu case in our State. The Government too responded at the right time and encouraged people to eat chicken, which helped the quick revival of chicken market," Rao says happily.

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