Chennai, March 21 The shift from LPG to firewood in Tamil Nadu's hotel industry, driven by the LPG crisis, is expected to lead to rising prices of food commodities, but the increased cost of biryani during the festival season is particularly concerning.
Muslims are lamenting the fact that family gatherings have become smaller during the Ramazan season, due to the LPG situation caused by the conflict in West Asia.
M Venkadasubbu, President of the Tamil Nadu Hotels Association, said that this time, hoteliers have even started preparing biryani accompaniments using firewood.
"Whatever side dishes people order, they will be available since hotels have started preparing those items as well using firewood along with biryani. However, the cost has increased because the price of firewood has also increased. But hotels have stopped selling fried items," he said.
Due to the sudden commercial LPG cylinder crisis, 90 per cent of hotels are not making a profit, and there has been a 30 per cent drop in business, especially in Chennai, according to industry insiders.
With Ramazan being celebrated on Saturday, hotels have increased the price of biryani, which is the most sought-after delicacy during Eid, as it is prepared using firewood.
"Secondly, preparing biryani using firewood has been the traditional way, as it enhances the taste compared to using LPG. But after the use of LPG stoves, not many were preparing biryani using firewood. It was only practiced during weddings or large gatherings. This time, hotels have switched to firewood. As the cost of firewood has increased significantly, the price of biryani has also increased," a source said.
He further elaborated that some hoteliers have started preparing biryani in centralized kitchens to save time, cost, and firewood.
"The biryani is then taken from the central kitchen to other branches for distribution," he said.
Meanwhile, Hidayathullah Khan, a long-time resident of Perungudi, said that earlier during Ramazan, relatives and members of a family of at least 7-10 people would meet and celebrate Ramazan by sharing food.
"This time, instead of visiting relatives, the family of two or three prepared biryani in smaller quantities at their respective homes due to the LPG shortage and the steep increase in prices," he said.
Venkadasubbu also provided some statistics, saying that nearly 30 per cent of business has fallen in Chennai, while in other parts of Tamil Nadu, 10 per cent of business has been affected due to the shortage of commercial LPG.
"As public examinations are also being conducted during this month, it has further contributed to the decrease in footfall to hotels. I don't think the situation will improve in the coming days either. Since the price of firewood has increased and commercial LPG cylinders are in short supply, the prices of food items will continue to increase in the future," he said.
Another top official of a popular restaurant chain in Chennai said that they have switched to using induction stoves to prepare food. "Almost all our branches have started using induction stoves. We are also migrating to other methods, such as using firewood," he said.
Responding to a query, he said that earlier, dosas were available at all times of the day.
"After this crisis, we have stopped preparing dosas between 12-3 pm. Chapatis and parottas will be available as they are reheated using a microwave," he said.