Shahi Awadh festival is a much looked-forward-to food annual event at Grand Sarovar Premiere’s 180 Degrees restaurant. Along with the cute Jeannie Giaa Maanek, I decided to explore the magnificent enigma of royal kitchens of Awadh. Chef Rehman and his team of khansamas (cooks) did not disappoint us as the delicacies they offered were insanely delectable from the royal kitchens of Lucknowi gharana. Draped in a shocking pink anarkali with black zari embellished border, the baby-faced actor was dot on time as she is particular about punctuality and precisely the reason why she hates to depend on drivers. It was a pleasure to have the debonair GM Ajoy Balkrishnan join us on our Awadhi gastronomic journey at 180 Degrees. “I stay very close by and celebrated a New Year’s Eve with my friends at Grand Sarovar Premiere,” she informs the suave GM. I was in for a surprise when Giaa (who comes from a Gujju family of vegetarians) announced, “We are vegetarians but I eat everything.” I was happy to have someone who would be able to relish the efforts put up by Chef Rehman for this food festival. We started rolling with piece de resistance Galouti Kebabs (hmmm..melt-in-the-mouth, she said), Kakori Kebabs of minced lambs in flavorsome spices and moghlai’s veg specialty Paneer Shola Seeshmahal. Revealing the story behind her penchant for non-veg food, Gia said, “As a kid when we attended a wedding and while sitting with friends away from my family, I happened to taste some non-veg starters and loved them. Initially my mother was astonished at my insistence of having more of it but finally relented.” Later, her family not only let her have her way but today her mother prepares her fave non-veg dishes herself (without tasting them of course). Giaa relished Sheermal – flaky and multi-layered saffron flavored rotis of Persian origin, simply waiting to dissolve with Murg Awadhi Korma consisting of slow cooked chicken in spicy gravy. Much water has flowed under the bridge since her Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa controversy with the channel that launched her as Gopi in Saathiya and she does not wish to relive the ordeal she encountered, “It lead to my hospitalization due to mental trauma and breakdown and the media happily went about writing versions that suited them.” The perky actor’s quitting Jeannie aur Juju was also on a controversial note. Coincidentally, she recounts, “I got the Best Debut Award and Best Actor Award after I quit Saathiya and Jeannie aur Juju respectively.” Delving into rice preparation in the main course, the cute Giaa tried Gosht Pulao and Paye ki Nehari and I had Taheri Pulao with richly garnished Dal Sultani….’Yummm’ she went after the first spoonful. She would rather wait for a plum role to come her way than do inconsequential ones to fill the gap. On tackling legal and channel issues, she says, “In the beginning you are innocent and get taken for a ride. But they are lessons in your learn in life and become smart as you go along.” On that smart note, we gorge on the sweet dishes of Strawberry Panacotta, Chawal ki Kheer and the ubiquitous Shahi Tukda. It’s time for Gia to take our leave after a sumptuous Awadhi dinner which she truly relished and promised Ajoy of revisiting this gorgeous restaurant again! Rapid Fire Qs with Giaa Maanek Foodie… That is Giaa Maanek. Fav cuisine… Anything spicy. Junk food… Sometimes. Sweet dish… Kaju katli. Can confidently cook… Cheese omelet. Single or dating… Single. Are you a shopaholic… Nope..I m a sensible buyer. Brand conscious… Not at all..I pick up what I like. Hi-point of your life When I was signed as "Gopi" for Saathiya (Star Plus). Low point of your life… False allegations. If not an actor… A business woman. Pet peeve… Hypocrisy. Vehicle freak… I love driving my Mercedes Benz. Your fitness secret… Eat healthy, exercise, stay positive and be happy.