LPG Crisis Hits Wedding Caterers in Hyderabad
HYDERABAD: An ongoing shortage of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is causing concern among caterers in the city. The problem comes at a time when the wedding season is at its peak, with several events scheduled this month.
Caterers with multiple bookings say the shortage could affect the scale of wedding feasts. Weddings and receptions usually feature elaborate dinner spreads.
Menus likely to shrink
Many caterers said they may have to reduce the number of dishes served at functions.
A caterer told the Journalist that wedding menus usually include 16 to 20 items. These typically feature soups, sweets, hot dishes, pickles, vegetarian and non-vegetarian curries, rice varieties, pulao and biryani.
“We may have to cut at least 8 to 10 items due to the cooking gas shortage,” the caterer said.
Live food counters may be hit
The shortage may also affect live food counters that are popular at weddings. These include chaat stalls, snack counters and dosa stations.
“We may not be able to run all the counters now because of the fuel shortage,” another caterer said.
Caterers fear supply difficulties
Santosh Kumar, owner of Sree Caterers in Adikmet, said sourcing gas cylinders could become difficult if the crisis continues.
“Getting cylinders and refilling them may become tough in the coming days,” he said.
“We may have no option but to cut down the menu and limit the scale of events we take up.”
Some turn to firewood cooking
Krishna of Krishna Caterers said the shortage has affected both caterers and customers organising family functions.
Several catering operators admitted that managing large orders has become difficult.
Some caterers, including Srinivas of Tirumala Caterers and Nagaraju of RK Caterers, said they may return to the traditional method of cooking with firewood instead of LPG.
They also plan to restrict wedding menus to fewer than 10 items for upcoming events.
