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Firewood Fuels Biryani Boom Amidst LPG Crisis
21 Mar
Summary
- Hotels use firewood for biryani preparation due to LPG shortage.
- Biryani prices have increased, impacting Ramzan festival meals.
- Hotel business in Chennai dropped by 30 percent due to the crisis.
Hotels across Tamil Nadu are now relying on firewood to prepare dishes, including biryani, due to an ongoing commercial LPG cylinder shortage. This pivot to traditional cooking methods has escalated the cost of food items, directly impacting the availability and price of biryani, a staple during the recent Ramzan festival. Family gatherings for the celebration were notably smaller this year due to these challenges.
Industry insiders report a substantial 30 percent drop in business for hotels in Chennai alone, with 90 percent of establishments not operating at a profit. While firewood cooking imparts a distinct taste, its rising cost has made it more expensive than LPG for many. Some larger restaurant chains are exploring induction stoves as an alternative, while others consolidate operations to centralized kitchens for efficiency.
The repercussions of the LPG shortage are expected to continue, with potential future increases in food prices. Public examinations held during the same period also contributed to a decrease in hotel footfall, exacerbating the business downturn for many establishments in the region.
