Serving the royal era - Going back to the roots of hosting

Let's step into the story of the ‘Rasowara’ (the royal kitchen!)

Many interesting cooking techniques and exotic recipes have been found in old records, that still give a distinctive flavor to Rajasthani food as we know it today. The royal chefs were highly prized members of the palace staff. They had a pivotal role to play in the royal feasts and gatherings. It was a matter of great pride if an unusual meal could be talked about for days. And these recipes were guarded like treasures, secrets to be passed down through generations.

These meals were served on silver and gold plates and grand crystal or marble tables. “The late Rajmata Gayatri Devi of Jaipur would often talk about her mother Maharani Indira Devi of Cooch Behar who was an excellent hostess and was known for the wonderful parties that she gave.” - A king’s feast published in India Today

Another place that witnessed royal meals outside the palace doors was ‘Shikaar Camps’ (hunting expeditions) where stories were exchanged as food was savored by Kings and Queens, Dukes and Duchesses, Viceroys, and other dignitaries.

The connection with Lagavi

Lagavi, at its core, is about stories, objects, and wares we are emotionally inclined to, or we share a ‘Lagav’ (attachment) with!

We are based in Jaipur, one of the culinary capitals of feasting, and thus, we bring to you the inviting aura and spectacular tables that have been part of our history. Although our take is more modern, and minimal, we honor Jaipur’s history of feasting, and we take the art of dining very seriously.

Be it aesthetics, design, art, or architecture, our inspiration lies in our story and our story begins in Jaipur. The city where we fold our hands, welcome guests with a smile, and serve a feast to express our love. Our Lagav is not just hosting or dining, but also serving happiness as we celebrate life, just like the royals did eras ago.

Modern dining blends with age-old hosting traditions

Hosting with an open heart and sharing warmth over the dining table, is still not lost to time. This is a timeless tradition with only a slight shift in the setting!

The art of dining does not just connect people but also connects eras, geographies, and cultures. So many of the daily food items we eat today have a deeper story and history that we hardly know about. But culinary stories do leave their trail, all you need to do is discover it.

From the streets to the forts, Jaipur has an enriching, and magnificent culinary culture, motivated by its past. Amidst modernity, the city has still preserved its dining traditions and cultural beauty. Urbanization has turned palaces and forts into restaurants and bars, but the city still lounges to enjoy its warm hospitality, keeping its inherent story alive.

The roots of this cultural history

Thanks to the nomadic lifestyle (be it trade or warfare), the food of this area is a testament to the resilience and resourcefulness of its people. As the sun sets on this desert landscape, the stories of royal entertainment come alive and still inspire people to host their guests in the warmest, most welcoming, and most gracious way. From the humble kachori to the regal Laal Maas, a story of tradition, culture, and flavors awaits to be narrated, unraveling the secrets of this vibrant, vintage, and vivacious land that has never known to send away their guests hungry.

We celebrate the fact that we come from this heritage that loves to feast, host, entertain, and live - the royal way!