RUMI SAYS...
"Don’t be satisfied with stories, how things have gone with others.
Unfold your own myth."

XXI | May 27, 2021

THE EDITOR'S NOTE

The largest weather phenomenon in the world is churning. The monsoons are at the doorstep down below. We hope the changing season is the herald we have all been holding out for, to bring us good news. The Kitabu section unravels the mighty monsoon in all its glory. The unsolicited slow life has made thinkers of us all, and those that were born intellects have attained a whole new level of thought and meditation. Stories that matter showcases one such fine mind from the world of luxury travel and hospitality, the peerless Sonu Shivdasani as he explores the parallel between his life and the predicament of the world today, with hope and caution served in equal measure. The Island across the pond is opening up, and in time for the summer too.

Dorchester, the epitome of English finesse expresses the all too human moments we have all been waiting for. On the off chance that you are looking out of the window on a clear night, do wonder if we are alone. If all this happens to lead you to a sense of listlessness, let us create a sense of urgency for you. The king, nay, god of fruits, in its various incarnations is here. Indulge in the mangoes in our food for thought and at your dining table, before the monsoons wash them away.

Keep Safe Indoors,
Ashish

01 Stories That Matter

A deep dive into a story that's arcane, thoughtful, and sometimes humorous!

The Legend of Sonu Shivdasani

For travellers around the world, if there is one retreat common to all bucket lists, it has to be Soneva. Sonu Shivdasani and Eva Malmstrom, partners in life and business started these unique and exclusive retreats in some of the choicest locations, enhanced in beauty and aspiration by the magic touch of Eva and Sonu, the founders, who inspire the name Soneva.  

Sonu Shivdasani was born to Lakshmi and Indoo Shivdasani in the UK and lived all his formative years there studying at world-renowned Eton, Le Resoy and Cambridge. Although the personal tragedy of losing his father at the tender age of 13 left an indelible mark, Sonu comes from a close-knit family with strong traditions and bonds. His elder brother Azad took over the family business which Sonu joined after graduating from Cambridge.

Sonu met Eva Malmstrom, a Swedish model, through his sister, the late Countess Bina Sella di Monteluce, at the Grand Prix in Monte Carlo. Soon after they married and travelled the world experiencing the best of destinations and hospitality. This shared love for travel and hospitality sparked the fire in Sonu and Eva, giving us Six Senses and Soneva. Although they found tremendous success with Six Senses, Sonu and Eva decided to concentrate on Soneva with "One Owner, One Operator, One Philosophy, One Brand" as the cornerstone of their philosophy and strategy.

Sonu comes from a rich legacy of social responsibility and community outreach. His father founded the Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation in 1976, which funds education for students in India. His elder sister, Bina Shivdasani, Countess Sella di Monteluce, worked in the field of women's education and was the first Asian High Sheriff of Greater London in 2002. This meant a natural flair for community involvement, development and empowerment was entrenched in Sonu. Eva too shared these ideals and their labour of love Soneva has institutionalized this in every aspect of its existence and operations.

Sonu Shivdasani has experienced his share of lows and more. Being an empathetic human, he feels intensely for others and the planet. He has had to overcome many personal battles to such as losing his father at a young age and more recently fighting Stage 4 Lymphoma. Yet, Sonu is an eternal optimist, tempered with caution nonetheless.

Sonu Shivdasani draws interesting and important parallels between the global phenomenon of the pandemic and his own personal battle with Lymphoma. Many of us in the throes of the current crisis are adjusting to new ways of experiencing the grief cycle which one goes through upon learning of a personal tragedy close to home. There is a hollow emptiness, an uncomfortable feeling. Our daily routines are compromised. In a way, we are grieving the loss of the way we used to live in the past.

“This pandemic will end but the important question is whether the bond we have with the way we live and our daily reality has been sufficiently broken and whether we can attach ourselves to a new reality and a new way of doing things; or if we will just go back to our old ways...” asks Sonu Shivdasani, wise words from the sage of luxury hospitality.

02 What You Missed When Grounded

Brought to you by Dorchester Collection

The Moments Worth Waiting For ...

Throughout the year past, there are several moments that we’ve all yearned for. From a simpler time, or to reconcile before it was too late. To enjoy another meal without the sense of stress lingering over us. To feel that wave of nostalgia hit us blissfully once more. This has been a year where we have not had the time to spend these moments with our loved ones despite being locked in for the majority of days. 

But brighter times are upon us now, and people are starting to rediscover these simple joys.

The Dorchester Collection’s family share some of their most cherished simple desires that they are looking forward to, that we think resonate with all of us here!  

Sharing stories

Kate Pantin
Director of Guest Experience

“After such an unbelievable year, I’m looking forward to helping guests enjoy the magic of The Dorchester and London once more. 

Seeing guests sitting around a table with friends and family, enjoying delicious food and sharing stories.” 

Hive of activity

Rima Austyte
Executive Housekeeper

“I’m keen to hear the hotel buzzing with activity again, as we welcome back our loyal guests and get to know new faces.

It’s going to be a really special time.”

Day out with Mum

Clair Ratcliffe Speakman
Head Doorman

“I want to enjoy a lovely day out with my mum after so long apart. She can choose where and it will be my treat, I just want to spoil her. 

I also can’t wait to delight our guests with all the exciting new events and experiences we’ve been busy planning.”

Welcome to a new day

Adrien Penru
Room Service

“I’m looking forward to bringing our guests their morning coffee, setting up their breakfast table 

and being the first person to welcome them to a new day.”

Celebratory champagne

Marc-Antoine Salembier-Santi
Director of Guest Relations

“I can’t wait to surprise guests with a glass of champagne on the terrace of our spectacular Belle Etoile Penthouse Suite.

To see their eyes sparkle with delight as they take in all the magnificent monuments of Paris at their feet.”

03 Let's Get Comical

The Most comforting and reassuring of all time!

04 The Reel

The Chef's Table

Niki Nakayama

Niki Nakayama is a Japanese-American chef and the owner of Michelin-starred n/naka restaurant in Los Angeles, specializing in modern Japanese kaiseki cuisine.


Ana Roš

Ana Roš is a chef from Slovenia. A self-taught cook, she helms the kitchen of Hiša Franko restaurant in Kobarid, Slovenia. 


Duangporn

Duangporn "Bo" Songvisava is a Thai chef and restaurateur, an authority on traditional Thai cuisine today. She and her husband, chef Dylan Jones, own and operate Bo.lan, a restaurant in Bangkok's Sukhumvit neighborhood.

05 The Improbable

Hunting for ET

Are we the only ones in the universe? For some, the search will always go on. 

In 1977, “Close Encounters Of A Third Kind” was released in the United States, telling us the story of a rural electrician in Indiana establishing contact with those who must not be named. The first ever encounter with beings from another planet leaves our protagonists mesmerized, to say the least.

But despite “Close Encounters” being fictional, the idea of aliens evokes the same feeling in many people. Indeed, It is this feeling that inspired folks to search the sky every night, looking for signs. 


It is perhaps one of the biggest philosophical, scientific and logical questions that has plagued humanity for the longest time. With so many solar systems and worlds out there, it is literally an astronomical miracle if Earth was the only planet capable of sustaining life. When radio astronomy became more mainstream and approachable, multiple scientists and collaborators formed the Search For Extraterrestrial Intelligence. Notable backers and collaborators for the movement include a certain Stephen Hawking and Nikola Tesla, and more currently include various observatories and research institutes like the Allen Telescope Array and UCLA.  
Non researchers of course have always existed. This is a more non-scientific, conspiracy theory backed community where every UFO photo is blurred even in the 21st century. Of late, there were fewer and fewer. But 2021 brought them back into the light again with the Pentagon of the United States reporting that UFOs (Unidentified Flying Objects, usually related to space).
So, dear reader, what do you think? Are aliens really out there? Or a sign of life at the very least? The search does continue.

06 The Thinking Owl

Making a typo in an online argument is the equivalent of voice cracking in a verbal argument.

07 Food for Thought

The King of Fruits


Mangoes!

This "stone fruit" belongs to the Anacardiaceae family (Poison ivy and cashews basically), and the history of this fruit can be traced back to 2000 BCE. In the 18th century, The name of this fruit also became a verb, meaning "to pickle", something that was made up by the Americans because they used to pickle this and other fruits and vegetables on their way back to the States. It has a very different prestigious reputation today, of course. It is the pride of our country now!  

Mango

Did you realise that we were talking about mangoes?
With hundreds of varieties across the world and most of them originating in India AND it being mango season this summer, we couldn’t NOT talk about the King of Fruits.


It has so many varied uses and different flavor profiles that each variety feels like a different fruit. India’s most cherished variety of course is the Alphonso, also known as the King Of Mangoes here.

Used the most in fruit juices and served on special occasions. But there are other varieties of mangoes across the world. Here’s a few of them listed for you!

   

Varieties


  1. Philippines: Carabao: Known as the sweetest fruit of them all and even has a Guinness World Record for the same!
  2. Sindh: Sindhari: This mango gets its name from the Sindh region of Pakistan. This variety is known as the queen mango and is famous for its fragrance.  
  3. Myanmar: Sein Ta Lone, they have a more juicy and firm flesh compared to most other mangoes. These can be used in deserts and also to extract pulp! 
  4. Mexico: Atulfo: Known for a more buttery flavor, they make for a great mango chilli salsa! 
  5. India: Banginapalli: This lesser known Indian variant is firm to the touch, has a powerfully mango-ey fragrance and tastes absolutely divine! 
  6. India: Badami: Known as the cousin of Alphonso, these are just as tasty if you can’t find alphonso and want to get a similar taste! 

08 The Travel Record

A Playlist of all of Bond's hits!

09 Kitabu

Books you absolutely must read!

Chasing The Monsoon

We all agree that some books can instill a sense of romance into you, even if the book itself is about something else entirely.

 But Alexander Frater evokes every sense in you when talking about the first rains of the monsoon hitting the beaches of Kochi in Chasing The Monsoon, and a sense of romanticism hits you throughout the remainder of the book. 

His obsession with chasing down India’s perennial rainfall and its importance to the entire country brought about the highs and lows of our vast country.

All our amusing mannerisms, witty dialogue and our stark contrast in the living classes and conservative background.

Frater pens down his experience navigating through it all as he starts his journey from Kochi and slowly goes all the way to experience the true primordial feeling of the rains at Cherrapunji, a location that has the merit of being one of the wettest places on planet Earth.
For those that want to see a vision of India in the 80s through the eyes of an author whose attention to detail and wit are an absolute delight, do not miss out on Chasing The Monsoon.

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