PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Dehradun
Chief minister Puskhar Singh Dhami has said that the State administration has been directed to has issue instructions to include Uttarakhand’s traditional cuisine in the menus of all hotels. He said that the traditional cuisine of the State is being served as a priority to guests at the CM’s residence and at various government events, so that local cuisine can gain respect and recognition.
The CM was interacting with the chefs while virtually participating in the Shree Ann-based ‘Chef Samvad’ programme organized at the Amrapali University campus on Saturday.
In the programme , young chefs asked CM several questions about the promotion of Uttarakhand’s traditional cuisine, quality standards, government efforts and career prospects in this field. Responding to a question, Dhami said that the Tourism department will be directed to prepare a comprehensive proposal, so that the chef community of the state can be connected under an umbrella platform and they can get opportunities at the national and international level.
He said that concrete steps are being taken to maintain the quality of traditional dishes, preserve their identity, and standardize them, so that the originality of Uttarakhand’s taste remains intact.
He said that the Tourism and Skill Development departments are making efforts to encourage young people interested in pursuing careers in Uttarakhand’s traditional cuisine.
He said Uttarakhand is a land of traditions, culture, and diverse cuisine. “ The cuisine tells the story of the mountain lifestyle, traditions and soul. Today’s tourists seek not only natural beauty but also the local culture and cuisine. In this context, the role of chefs becomes extremely important, as they bring the state’s identity to the global stage through local flavours,’’ he said.
Discussing Shree Ann, the Chief Minister said that it is not just food or a crop, but is becoming a powerful medium for the overall development of Uttarakhand. “Crops like mandua, jhangora, koda, and ramdana are water-efficient, nutrient-rich, and income-boosting crops, suited to Uttarakhand’s climate and soil,’’ he said.
At the end of the programme, the CM made a special request to the chef community, urging them to work together to transform Uttarakhand’s traditional cuisine from ‘local to global’.
MLA Banshidhar Bhagat, Sanjay Mishra from Amrapali University and many renowned chefs from across the country attended the programme.
