Shillong, Oct 23: Distinct flavours of traditional cuisines of Khasi, Garo, and Jaintia communities have remained local secrets, preserved in family kitchens and village hearths for generations.
But they will soon have more takers as a culinary roadshow comprising 14 curated food events is set to be hosted in major metropolitan hubs across India between October 2026 and February 2027.
Organised by Meghalaya Tourism and The Meghalayan Age Limited, in collaboration with the Seeti Movement, the initiative aims to introduce the state’s indigenous cuisine to a wider audience and promote food-based tourism.
From Tungrymbai, a traditional fermented soybean dish, to Dohneiiong, a pork dish cooked with black sesame, Meghalaya’s food reflects the traditions and local ingredients of its Khasi, Garo and Jaintia communities.
The national campaign will cover cities including Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Goa and Hyderabad. It aims to promote Meghalaya not only for its waterfalls and living root bridges but also for its traditional food and culinary heritage.
Two food events to showcase Meghalaya’s cuisine
The campaign, developed alongside creative media platform The Big Forkers, will feature two formats.
Seeti In Your City will bring together chefs for special dining events and food showcases. The series began on October 22 with Tribal Expressions at Radisson Blu Atria in Bengaluru. The event focuses on traditional cooking methods, local ingredients and the cultural stories behind indigenous food.
Fire & Feast Festival will feature outdoor cooking, barbecue, regional street food and music. Planned locations include Gurgaon, Mumbai, Goa, Bengaluru and Hyderabad. The events will offer visitors an opportunity to experience the community-style outdoor cooking and dining traditions of the Northeast.
Local chefs to lead the campaign
The initiative will feature chefs and traditional cooks who preserve Meghalaya’s food traditions.
Chef Nambie Jessica Marak, first runner-up of MasterChef India Season 8 and Meghalaya’s Cultural and Culinary Ambassador, will lead the group. Other participating chefs include Ahmedaki Laloo, Benny Paia Dondor Wankhar, Adonijah Lyngdoh, Reuben Zamal Sooting and Fufu Pamei.
The events will also feature Shillong-based food establishments Rynsan and Shad Skye, along with traditional cooks from Mylliem in the Khasi Hills, known for smoked meats, indigenous pork dishes and wood-fired stews.
At the Fire & Feast events, pitmasters Christopher Fernandes and Vasco Alvares, along with hospitality entrepreneur Rizwan Amlani, will work with Meghalayan cooks to combine traditional smoking methods with modern barbecue techniques.
The state government sees the campaign as an opportunity to promote Meghalaya’s culture, local ingredients and culinary skills while expanding tourism opportunities.
The campaign will showcase local ingredients such as Lakadong turmeric and wild herbs, along with traditional recipes and cooking methods.
