Tilda, the UK’s No. 1 rice brand, and Madhu’s, the top-ranking South Asian catering company, joined forces on Wednesday, 9th October, to host a spectacular event celebrating Diwali in the heart of Central London. Set against the backdrop of Madhu’s at Mayfair, the event exuded luxury and elegance. The event brought together an exclusive guest list featuring prominent food and lifestyle content creators, longstanding customers, as well as top-tier media houses. With a specially curated menu and vibrant atmosphere, the celebration was a perfect blend of tradition, innovation, and culture.
Guests were immersed in an evening of cultural richness, starting with a heartfelt speech from Jean-Philippe Laborde, Managing Director of Tilda. He remarked, “Tonight, we’re not just celebrating a festival; we’re honouring relationships with key partners and customers we’ve known not just for weeks or months, but for decades. At Tilda, we take pride in bringing people together through food and tradition, especially during special occasions like Diwali.”
The event also welcomed Sanjay Anand MBE, Founder and Chairman of Madhu’s, who captivated the audience with the story of his family’s culinary journey and the brand’s impressive growth. Sanjay shared, “Partnership is at the heart of Madhu’s, and we have ambitious plans for the future of catering. Rice holds such significance in our culture. It has been a staple part of our South Asian communities' diet and has both religious and cultural relevance. A special thanks to my team and the team at Tilda for making tonight possible.”
After the speeches, Chef Amardeep Anand, Group Executive Chef at Madhu’s and a MasterChef semi-finalist, took the stage to share the inspiration behind the menu. He highlighted the versatility of Tilda rice in South Asian cuisine, combining traditional Diwali dishes with modern flavours. The menu was primarily created by Poonam Ball, Creative Chef & Marketing Director. Together with Chef Amar, they brought the menu to life on the day. The highlights of the evening included two showstopping biryanis made with Tilda Grand Extra Long Basmati and a decadent mango kheer featuring Tilda’s Fragrant Jasmine rice.
The special menu was a hit among the food and lifestyle content creators and media attendees, who were treated to an exclusive tasting experience.
The evening culminated in a dazzling performance by world-renowned magician Oliver B, who left the audience in awe with his unique blend of mentalism, illusion, and showmanship.