Quick Bytes: Micheal Winklemann and the New Craft Burger at Chili’s

The two outlets of Chili’s American Grill & Bar  at Hyderabad have been functional for quite some time, and the one at Banjara Hills has been my preferred destination for American and Mexican cuisine. Being a frequent visitor, I look forward to their menu changes so that I get to taste their latest items introduced in the international market.

Michael Winkelmann, the Global Culinary Contact at Brinker International was recently in India coordinates with the local partners of Chili’s to make sure that items delivered are completely in accordance with global standards.  Brinker International is the company which owns Chili’s as well as a few other F&B brands worldwide. I had the opportunity to meet up with Michael during this short trip, at the Banjara Hills restaurant.

Michael Winkelmann

Based in London, Micheal has more than 30 years of experience as a culinary manager.  In a candid discussion, Michael talked about his initiative with local partners to evolve vegetarian recipes for the local palate and how some of these recipes are even being taken to their international outlets. Also, to ensure that the taste of their Indian products is as consistent as their products abroad, they do not hesitate to import the ingredients when they are not satisfied with the local produce. For example, their pork is completely imported, and so is the buffalo meat. A new menu, which Michael is currently working on with the Indian partners, will be launched in March.  The menu will have some exciting Mexican items including the introduction of enchiladas.w restaurants in a short span of time.

Classic Bacon Burger with Tenderloin Patty

On the culinary front at Chili’s, the latest development has been the introduction of Craft Burger range. These are hand crafted burgers which are customized to your needs. Here you can choose your patty from a range of alternatives such as Minced Chicken, Tenderloin Buffalo, and Lamb. You can tweak the preparation too by choosing the other ingredients you want in your burger.

During my conversation with Michael, I tried out the new Classic Bacon Burger with Minced Tenderloin Buffalo Patty. As per my requirement, the burger was made with onion rings, lots of smoked bacon, cheese and select veggies. The patty was significantly thicker than usual, and the buns fresh and soft. I was told that Chili’s import the buffalo meat used for the patty. The buns also have a new innovation where potato is added to the dough to improve the taste. Served with pickles and the signature sauce of Chili’s, the burger was filling and finger licking good.

Sweet Smoky Burger
The new Craft burgers also come in other variants such as Guacamole Chicken Burger, Big Mouth Bites, Southern Smokehouse Burger, and Sweet & Smoky Burger. A lot of choices to try out over the next few weeks.

Location:

Madhapur
Chili’s American Grill & Bar
Hi -tech City, Inorbit Mall
Phone: 040-40126801

Banjara Hills
Chili’s American Grill & Bar
Address: Road no 1, Opp Vengal Rao Park
Phone: 040-40164353

Disclaimer: The review is based on an invite from the restaurant. However, the opinion expressed in the post are honest and unbiased.

Few pics are courtesy Chili's American Grill & Bar

Watermelon Margarita

2 comments:

  1. Awesome.. surely plan this weekend. Can you please give me a heads up on price ?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Non veg Burgers are Rs 400-500

    ReplyDelete