A BASINGSTOKE restaurant has hosted a four-course banquet to celebrate Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights.

Chennai Express, on Wote Street, held the banquet on Sunday, October 23 ahead of the festival on Monday, October 24, inviting members of the public to sample the restaurants fresh and vibrant menu.

Manager Kendra Dhakal and his team welcomed all of the customers, a variety of families and friends looking to try a new experience, with everyone receiving their own flower garland to wear throughout the evening.

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The first course consisted of a “street food” stall, manned by chef Vamsi Madireddy.

Basingstoke Gazette: The first course consisted of street food, served from a street food cart (picture: Chennai Express)The first course consisted of street food, served from a street food cart (picture: Chennai Express) (Image: Chennai Express)This was an interactive course, allowing customers to walk up to the stall and select one or more of the four fantastic Indian street foods that he would then make on the spot.

Starters arrived after a well-thought-out break, with vegetarian options available.

The starters consisted of Tandoori Lamb Chops, Chicken Skewer, Panner Tikka, a Hara Bara Kebab (blend of spinach and potato and spices) and a Tandoori Broccoli.

The main course also featured interactive elements, with the customers plates arriving with either traditional fried fish or paneer in banana leaf followed by the staff serving Naans, Biryani, home style lamb curry and South special Chicken curry, Aubergine Curry and Raita.

The banquet was then capped off with an amazing array of desserts, including homemade Kulfi ice cream, Carrot Halva, Milk Barfi, Cashew Barfi and Paan laddoo (Betel Leaf & Coconut truffle) served with a cup of masala chai.

Basingstoke Gazette: A large selection of food was available for the attendees to tryA large selection of food was available for the attendees to try (Image: Chennai Express)Manager Kendra, said that he believed the evening “went really well.”

He continued: “Everyone really enjoyed the menu, the ambience, the décor, the whole setup, everyone was really mesmerised.

“And even for us as well, it was really good because when you see people having such a good time, and they are being given an idea about how Diwali is celebrated”.

Kendra also wanted to thank everyone who made the banquet such a success.

Basingstoke Gazette: A selection of food that was served at the banquetA selection of food that was served at the banquet (Image: Chennai Express)SEE ALSO: Learn magic this Halloween weekend as Festival Place opens it 'School of Spells'

He said: “Firstly, all of our customers who came and tended the event, because of them we very much in their debt.

“We were fully booked, and that gave us more energy to make it even better.

“And secondly, our team, all the chefs and the staff.

“Everyone did an incredible job.”