An elegant afternoon with HELLO! India and Delhi's finest

Commencing a new chapter with renewed spirit and refined vision, HELLO! India curated a ravishing afternoon at Le Cirque at The Leela Palace for its first-ever Editor’s Lunch under the editorship of Ruchika Mehta, to commemorate its relaunch with the India Today Group. More than a mere reintroduction, the lunch was symbolic of HELLO! India's affirmation in the luxury community — reminding its audiences that it is poised to embrace modern luxury while staying rooted in its heritage of storytelling and society reportage. To mark this new chapter and officially welcome back the magazine, the Editor’s Lunch unfolded as an intimate yet ruminating gathering where the crème de la crème came together in celebration and camaraderie. Co-hosted by Sakshi Kohli, Chief Operating Officer, Lifestyle Division & Head, ITG Events, in collaboration with Neeva Jain, a high-society journalist who has been associated with HELLO! India, since the beginning, uplifted the ambience with her charm and elegance. 

The chosen venue for the milestone moment was none other than Le Cirque, situated within the grandeur of The Leela Palace, New Delhi. A name synonymous with refined Italian gastronomy, Le Cirque provided the perfect backdrop for the magazine’s return to the spotlight. With minimal interiors and soft lighting, ivory linens and an open kitchen welcomed the guests in a setting that was both exclusive and warm. Hosting their first event at their new location on the first floor, the Editor’s lunch boasted the coming together of two powerhouses of luxury lifestyle. This celebrated landmark from New York, Le Cirque, curated a meticulous culinary journey entailing five courses that were enriched with the nuances of French coastal flavours. 

Guests began their specially curated meal with an amuse-bouche — the Le Cirque Vegetable Garden dressed in truffle. The first course offered a choice between the delicacy of Yellow Fin Tuna Crudo with nuances of Sicilian orange, peppercorn rosso and olive sabayon or the creamy indulgence of Buffalo Burratina paired with macerated tomatoes and basil soil. For the second course, there was the decadent Raviolo of Seasonal Vegetables & Ricotta, shrouded in sage butter and crowned with a parmesan cloud. For mains, options ranged from the Paupiette of Chilean Seabass with creamed leeks and crispy potatoes, to the “Scottadito” Lamb Chops or even the Salt Baked Portobello Mushroom under a layer of truffle foam and morel jus. Culminating the courses was the Madagascar Vanilla Mille Feuille, a thousand-layer puff with vanilla custard paired with a raspberry thyme sorbet. 

As guests arrived, there was a palpable sense of anticipation — conversations flowed easily over glasses of Prosecco, punctuated by laughter and introductions. The curated guest list featured personalities from fashion, art, design, business, and philanthropy, each representing the values HELLO! India has long celebrated: achievement, elegance, and influence. It was a gathering that mirrored the pages of the magazine itself. Between courses, the Editor herself addressed the gathering with an eloquent note of gratitude and excitement, underscoring HELLO! India's mission to be both a chronicler and a celebrant of life’s most meaningful moments. She spoke of the magazine’s future — one that promises deeper engagement with its readers, sharper insights into global and Indian luxury, and a continued spotlight on the personalities shaping culture today.

Among the glitterati, were some of the capital’s most recognisable tastemakers. Entrepreneur and style doyenne Tanisha Mohan, former Dior Brand Ambassador Kalyani Chawla, entrepreneur and art gallerist Rasika Kajaria, Isha Jajodia, the designer and creative director of the Indian couture house, Roseroom, costume designer Rimple Narula and Sonia Passi, among many. The audiences together formed a constellation that perfectly reflected HELLO! India’s ethos — where style, influence, and substance intersect.

As the afternoon drew to a close, it heralded a new era for HELLO! India. The luncheon was a fitting prologue to the stories yet to unfold — a promise that the pages of HELLO! India will continue to mirror the glamour, grace, and brilliance of India’s most remarkable lives.