MANGALURU: The city’s evolving food and beverage landscape will witness a unique cultural crossover with Kanpai evenings being held on Sept 17 and 18 at the Loft, The Avatar Hotel. This is a guided tasting session by Japanese sake expert Mika Eoka, sake sommelier and CEO of Mika Sake Global Inc. She is also the sake ambassador to India, and Japan-based Eoka has been promoting sake in India for six years now.“Sake has a rich history and is deeply ceremonial in Japan, but what makes the evening special is seeing how well it pairs with local favourites. When she visited last year, the guests were surprised at how sake complemented dishes like malai tikka and seafood preparations. For us, hosting such a session is about bringing global experiences to Mangaluru while creating new opportunities for our hospitality scene. The event will see exquisite pours and curated small plates. We are expecting around 40 participants,” said Subhash Praveen Ullal, assistant manager, marketing, Avatar HotelIndia may be no stranger to fermented rice-based alcohols, ranging from Apong in Arunachal to Sekmai Yu in Manipur, but sake brings with it a different heritage. Brewed with polished rice, using Koji mould and yeast, it reflects centuries of Japanese craftsmanship. The session in Mangaluru hopes to familiarise people with a beverage now slowly gaining traction in India, said Subhash.The sake tasting experience is being presented in collaboration with Sake Mom India and Ursa Food & Beverage Pvt Ltd. There will be welcome cocktails and networking with traditional Japanese folk songs.