Moxy Bengaluru, the playful and vibrant hotel brand by Marriott, kicked off its festive season with a lively cake mixing event in Bengaluru. This inaugural celebration marks the beginning of Moxy’s first holiday season in India, setting the stage for a series of exciting events and activities. TheGlitz engaged in blitzy banter with team Moxy, led by the energetic Anuradha, the hotel captain, along with Chef Stanley, bar cocktail expert Ranjit, and Arvind, head of marketing.

Welcome to Moxy Bengaluru, where playfulness isn’t just a concept—it’s a way of life! As Anuradha, the vibrant spirit behind this unique hotel, puts it: “I like to bring the playful spirit of Moxy. Moxy’s all about play, right? It’s called hashtag play on. Hashtag at the Moxy.”

Imagine walking into a hotel where even the meeting rooms spark your creativity. Anuradha’s eyes light up as she describes their innovative approach: “We’ve got two meeting rooms and we call them ‘Movers and Shakers.” One is set up in this playful, unconventional way, while the other is done in the traditional, formal style. It’s our way of saying, ‘Hey, we can work on either side of the spectrum!’ But the fun doesn’t stop there. As you explore the hotel, you’ll find yourself in spaces that sound more like a party than a hotel.

And the ballroom? Well, that’s a story in itself. “We call it ‘The Hangar,'” explains Anuradha, her eyes twinkling with the memory. “When I first walked in, it was all cement flooring, grey everywhere. But then I saw this big window in front, and it just gave me the feel of a hangar. Since we’re an airport hotel, it made perfect sense!” Even the pre-function area has its own narrative, aptly named ‘The Runway.’ It’s clear that at Moxy, every space has a story, every corner an invitation to play.

Anuradha’s enthusiasm is contagious as she shares their mission: “That’s what my team and I are endeavoring to show—what we can do. We’re planting seeds of creativity, and you know what? We’ve had great reviews!” At Moxy Bengaluru, we’re not just redefining hospitality; we’re inviting guests to be part of a playful, creative community. It’s more than a hotel—it’s an experience that begins the moment you step through the door.

“MOXY is not a brand, it’s a vibe. Trust me. I do welcome you to come and stand at the lobby of Moxy to truly understand what Moxy is”

Anuradha Venkatachalam, Hotel Captain, Moxy Bengaluru Airport

MOXY Bengaluru Cake Mixing Frenzy

The Moxy invitees had a fantastic time at the cake mixing event—Moxy’s very first. It also marked the first festive cake mixing event to kick off in Bengaluru. As Anuradha pointed out, “We are the first Moxy.” She added, “We like to do everything first to set things in motion, right?” The intention for Moxy was to actively engage guests in the cake-mixing process. This in turn would give the mixture plenty of time to ferment, creating a moist, decadent treat ready for tasting and purchasing before December.

Following a sumptuous brunch accompanied by vibrant party tunes, guests indulged in a spirited grape stomping session and Sula wine tasting. The cake mixing event began with a bang, as the culinary team spread platters of cherries, sweet raisins, nuts, and plums seasoned with warmth of allspice in a bespoke barrel. Donning aprons and gloves, participants eagerly plunged into the mixture, tossing and turning fruits, nuts, and spices with wine and spirits. The jovial atmosphere was palpable as hotel staff and guests alike immersed themselves in the festive tradition. The revelry culminated in a flurry of photo-ops, with attendees capturing the merry moments at designated selfie stations.

Tête-à-tête with Team Moxy

Rajeev: Chef Stanley what inspired you to kickstart the festival Season with this cake mixing event.

This is the first Moxy in India. So, we wanted to burst out this festival with the cake mixing, which helps us go into the traditional way of preserving food in terms of fermentation and everything. The event not only kicks off the festive season but also allows ample time for the cake to ferment for December sales.

Can you walk us through the ingredients being used today and the significance in traditional holiday baking?

Cake mixing at Moxy centres on blending dried fruits, nuts, and berries with Sula wine, rum, and aromatic spices. Cherries are the star ingredient, complemented by traditional spirits. This collaboration with Sula Wineries exemplifies Moxy’s commitment to partnering with brands that share their fun-loving ethos. The event is more than just preparation; it’s an engaging activity that creates a festive atmosphere, much like how Diwali isn’t solely about sweets and fireworks but also includes traditions like Rangoli and card games. Moxy aims to craft an immersive experience, turning cake mixing into a social, celebratory event that captures the holiday spirit.

What tips would you give to our readers who want to recreate this experience at home?

Surely. While full-scale grape stomping may not be feasible, Moxy would suggest a miniature cake preparation experience. The process involves marinating a small batch of rich ingredients with spirits 90 days in advance, focussing on proper fermentation of dry fruits, spices, and other components. This crucial step ensures that during baking, the cake develops the right balance of alcohol warmth, spice notes, and flavours, creating an authentic and impactful holiday treat.

“The concept I had in mind when I set up the hotel was to combine the design element with four pillars I visualized where art, design, music and tech converged, as this for me is the definition of Bangalore. We eventually intend to collaborate with artists, abstract art, art festivals and anything that is quirky.”

Anuradha Venkatachalam

Anuradha, tell us how does this cake mixing event fit into the hotel’s overall festive season strategy?

As I said, Moxy’s ethos revolves around activating spaces through playful, communal events. The brand focusses on creating memorable experiences that bring people together, whether during festive seasons or not. These activations transform traditional activities into fun, social gatherings, encouraging guests to engage with friends and family. While Moxy accommodates solo experiences, its primary aim is to foster a lively, interactive atmosphere that creates lasting memories.

Also, as Anuradha pointed out, Moxy is all about creating moments, so cake mixing is the first thing to start off the festivities at the hotel. Following this, we will have a variety of activities planned for Halloween, Diwali, Christmas tree lighting, carol singing, and New Year’s. In addition, we create weekly activations like quiz evenings, DJ nights, and movie screenings, among other tactical campaigns, says Arvind.

From the marketing point, how are you promoting and reaching out to the wider audience?

Moxy as a brand primarily caters to a digitally savvy clientele, leveraging Instagram as its primary communication channel. The hotel’s vibrant, art-filled spaces and unique features, such as the DJ booth and newly acquired food truck, create numerous Instagram-worthy moments. While LinkedIn is used for corporate messaging, Instagram showcases Moxy’s core values and visual appeal. The brand emphasises creating engaging experiences, exemplified by events like cake mixing. Moxy’s focus on music and fostering a communal atmosphere is central to its identity. Hence, through such stories, we highlight these elements, showcasing Moxy’s dynamic events and its ability to bring people together in a lively, picturesque setting.

On the team

I have an excellent crew. Each one of them has been hand-picked, like the finest cherries and grapes. My job is to select the best team, then I dress up and show up. They’re the ones making me look good.