Mumbai: News9 Plus Lounge presents 'Connoisseur Conversations,' a captivating series that uncovers the fascinating realm of cocktails, global food trivia, and remarkable achievers. In this power-packed six-part series, two connoisseurs - News9’s K Krishnakumar and hotelier Ashish Kapur, are joined by an exceptional woman achiever in each episode. Together, they lead engaging conversations against the backdrop of a fun game, which can become the steal for your next house party.
Speaking about the inception of this series, News9 Plus creative director – programming Chirag Malhotra said, “The attention to detail in crafting an inviting set, complete with an elegant bar backdrop, creates an atmosphere that exudes sophistication and warmth. Our team has truly brought the show to life, expertly illuminating every bottle and glass, making them shine with an irresistible allure.”
“Whether it’s our hosts attempting gravity-defying mixology tricks or the impromptu dance-offs between takes, the energy on show is contagious,” Malhotra added.
The content style of the show strikes the perfect balance between being informative and engaging. Each episode explores the art of mixology and delves into the rich history behind each drink, while quizzing the guest connoisseur and challenging them in their own field, keeping the momentum high throughout.
Commenting on gamifying the series, Krishnakumar said, “We realized that we needed to add an extra spark to the show. We devoted two weeks to creating a unique game, inspired by a simple spin game coupled with an array of activities such as Truth or Tweet, Pitch the Pitcher, Dumb Charades, Tipsy Tongue, Blind Date, and InstaGlam. This innovative game became the backbone of our content, stitching together various content elements.”
Krishnakumar further highlighted the broad appeal of the show, comparing it to the widely acclaimed Netflix series, “If you think about watching ‘The Last Dance’ on Netflix, you don't need to be a basketball enthusiast to enjoy the compelling story of Michael Jordan's last season with the Chicago Bulls. Similarly, ‘Connoisseur Conversations’ transcends the boundaries of cocktail and mocktail enthusiasts. It is an enthralling journey that touches on various aspects of culture, travel, and life itself.”
Restaurateur and Whisky Samba founder Ashish Kapur shared his delightful experience being part of ‘Connoisseur Conversations,’ expressing, “Being part of this show has been a fantastic and joyful experience. From ideation to execution, it has been an absolute joyride. The inclusion of fabulous women connoisseurs added the cherry on top. It felt surreal to be part of a show that I personally enjoy watching. Here I was, right in the midst of it all!”
The remarkable aficionadas who have graced ‘Connoisseur Conversations’ include supermodel Sonalika Sahay, Bacardi India marketing director Zeenah Vilcassim, Travel content creator Akanksha Monga, actor and music festival curator Asmita Sood, Shuffle dancer and jewellery maker Akanksha Singh, and former country director of booking.com Ritu Mehrotra.
Explore the world of mixology by downloading the News9 Plus app here: onelink.to/htmqpz
