INDIGENOUS CHEFS ACROSS THE world are revolutionising the culinary landscape by incorporating traditional foods and culinary practices in their gastronomic creations. There has been a remarkable shift in India as well towards acknowledging and showcasing the diverse range of indigenous cuisine. Through restaurants and social media platforms, they are promoting knowledge sharing while preserving the heritage of tribal food cultures. Here are the stories of four Indian female chefs who have sparked conversations around food sovereignty and culinary roots.
KAREN YEPTHOMI
Karen Yepthomi has been running Dzukou Tribal Kitchen for nearly a decade. The Delhi-based restaurant, which serves the cuisine of Nagaland's tribes, takes its name from the Dzukou Valley, on the border of Nagaland and Manipur. She has won several awards for her work, including the Vasundhara Women Entrepreneur Award and the National Women Excellence Award.
Speaking about the narrative strands like food and identity, Yepthomi, who belongs to Nagaland's Sema community, says, "Some of my earliest memories are of my mother cooking sticky corn, known for its stunning pastel rainbow colours, and taro roots, freshly picked from our homegrown garden."
Yepthomi explains that the northeast diet is built around locally sourced ingredients, often eaten with green vegetables and abundant fresh herbs. "A must-try dish at Dzukou is the smoked pork axone (fermented soya bean) and pumpkin seeds chutney. Green vegetables and rice accompany every meal."
This story is from the March 2024 edition of Outlook Traveller.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the March 2024 edition of Outlook Traveller.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Can The Himalayas Outlast Tourism?
Love The Himalayas, But Worried About Its Future? Hear From Three Experts On The Future Of The Region And How It Can Be Protected
EATING MINDFULLY
SUNITA NARAIN FROM THE CENTRE FOR SCIENCE AND ENVIRONMENT DISCUSSES HER NEW BOOK WHICH COMBINES THE JOYS OF EATING WITH CARE FOR THE LAND AND THE PEOPLE WHO TILL THEM
The Jewels Of Costa Rica
A Long-time Birdwatcher Describes His Travels To The Lush Rainforests Of Costa Rica
WINGED WONDERS
The story of migrating birds is the story of a promise to return, flying thousands of miles beset with dangers.
THE LOOMINARIES
THE ROLE OF THE GREAT REVIVALISTS WHO GAVE INDIA'S TEXTILES A NEW LEASE ON LIFE CANNOT BE STATED ENOUGH. WE TRACE THEIR CELEBRATED LEGACY
KEEPERS OF THE CRAFT
FROM REVIVING TRADITIONAL WEAVES TO CONTEMPORISING THEM WITH MODERN SILHOUETTES, THESE DESIGNERS ARE COMMITTED TO KEEPING THE LOOM TURNING WITH A FRESH TAKE ON HERITAGE TEXTILES
SONGS OF THE SOIL
WITH INDIGENOUS TEXTILES FACING THE WRATH OF FAST FASHION AND CLIMATE CHANGE, INDIAN DESIGNERS ARE RALLYING TO REVIVE AND PRESERVE THESE PRECIOUS WEAVES
CRAFT CRUSADER
THROUGH HER TEXTILE EXPLORATIONS ACROSS INDIA, DR PRITHA DASMAHAPATRA HAS BEEN PRESERVING ANCIENT CRAFTS, EMPOWERING ARTISANS, AND INSPIRING TRAVELLERS TO DISCOVER THE BEAUTY OF HYPERLOCAL EXPERIENCES
ON THE GRID
THE VIBRANT MADRAS CHECKS, NATIVE TO SOUTHEASTERN INDIA, HAS NOT JUST TRANSCENDED BORDERS BUT ALSO TRADITIONS AND STYLES
GOLDEN SILK
THE PROPERTIES THAT MAKE MUGA SILK UNIQUE COULD SEE IT BEING USED IN THE BIOFUELS AND MEDICINES OF THE FUTURE