Food to dye for: Vivek Singh launches paint-throwing pod to mark Holi festival

A chef is encouraging diners to celebrate India’s Festival of Colours by throwing paint at each other.

Holi heralds the passing of winter and the coming of spring next month — and Vivek Singh is opening an area outside his Cinnamon Kitchen where Londoners can take part in the traditional ritual of pelting each other with powders of many hues.

He said: “Holi is the most fun Indian festival, where the only rule is — there are no rules. In a rather stiff society like India where everything’s quite religious and you don’t do this, don’t do that, it celebrates friendship and frolics like no other festival does.

The Hindu festival falls on March 13 and the enclosed “pod” at the venue in Devonshire Square is open from March 7 to 18. Revellers get a booked 30-minute slot with protective clothing and paint provided.

“Throwing paint at each other breaks down a lot of barriers,” added Singh. “It’s about friends, not necessarily a religiously associated festival, so anyone can participate.

“It brings people together. In previous years I have seen brokers, underwriters and solicitors turn up in grey suits, change into a protective white suit and let their hair down.”

The 45-year-old Indian-born chef, who also owns Cinnamon Soho and Cinnamon Club in Westminster, has created a “Holi bites” menu included in a £15 ticket price (£8 without). He said: “Holi food is largely focused around hand-held finger food. It’s

not sitting down and having a multi-course feed, it is about being stood up and mingling. The menu reflects that — things like wraps and chaat.

“It’s the best festival for Instagram because there is plenty of colour. The way it contrasts with the grey City at this time of year is incredible.”