Chief Minister pushkar Singh Dhami dialogue with the chef community, a call to make the taste of Uttarakhand “Local to Global”
Chief Minister Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami participated virtually from the Chief Minister’s residence in the Shri Anna-based “Chef Samwad” programme organised at the Amrapali University campus. On this occasion, young chefs from various parts of the country, experts from the hotel and tourism sector, academicians and students were present in large numbers. The objective of the programme was to establish a meaningful dialogue on Uttarakhand’s traditional dishes, Shri Anna-based food and the associated employment and tourism opportunities.
During the programme, young chefs asked several questions to Chief Minister Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami regarding the promotion of Uttarakhand’s traditional food, quality standards, government efforts and career prospects in this field. Answering the question of Chef Shakti Prasad, the Chief Minister stated that instructions have been given by the state government to include traditional Uttarakhandi dishes in the menus of all hotels. He also clarified that traditional food of Uttarakhand is served on priority to guests at the Chief Minister’s residence and in various government programmes, so that local dishes can receive respect and recognition.
On the question asked by Chef Sanjeev Juyal regarding bringing all the chefs of Uttarakhand onto a shared platform, the Chief Minister said that the Tourism Department will be instructed to prepare a comprehensive proposal in this direction, so that the chef community of the state can be connected under an umbrella platform and provided with opportunities at national and international levels.
Meanwhile, in response to the question asked by Chef Sunil Upadhyay regarding ensuring the purity, authenticity and setting standards for traditional Uttarakhandi food, the Chief Minister informed that the government is working seriously on this subject. Concrete steps are being taken towards maintaining the quality of traditional dishes, preserving their identity and standardisation, so that the originality of the taste of Uttarakhand remains intact.
On the efforts being made by the government for youth wishing to make a career in the traditional food of Uttarakhand, the Chief Minister said that the Tourism Department and the Skill Development Department are working in a planned manner in this direction. The government’s goal is for the youth to move towards self-employment and entrepreneurship based on local resources and traditional knowledge.
Addressing the programme, Chief Minister Shri Dhami said that this dialogue is not limited to food alone, but is connected with the culture, tradition and identity of Uttarakhand. Welcoming all the chef colleagues and subject experts associated with the hotel and tourism sector, he congratulated Amrapali University and its entire team for the successful organisation of this thoughtful and meaningful “Chef Samwad” programme.
The Chief Minister said that Devbhoomi Uttarakhand is a land of values, culture and diverse cuisines. The dishes here tell the story of the lifestyle, traditions and soul of the mountains. Today’s tourist wants to experience not only natural beauty but also local culture and food. In such a situation, the role of chefs becomes extremely important, as they take the state’s identity to the global stage through local taste.
The Chief Minister also stated indirectly that today’s chef is not limited only to the kitchen, but has become a carrier of culture, a brand ambassador for tourism and a medium for employment generation. The contribution of local cuisine, hospitality traditions and the chef community is incomparable in taking Uttarakhand’s tourism to new heights.
Discussing Shri Anna, 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. Through Shri Anna, the village, the farmer and the last person in society are joining the mainstream of development. Crops like Mandua, Jhangora, Koda and Ramdana are those that grow with less water, are full of nutrients and increase the income of farmers, making them suitable for the climate and soil of Uttarakhand.
The Chief Minister also mentioned that under the leadership of Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India today is guiding the world in the field of Shri Anna. India is the largest producer of coarse grains globally and contributes approximately 38.4 percent to the total global production. Amidst changing global food preferences, there are vast possibilities for youth in sectors like food processing, health food, hotels, cafes, homestays and food startups.
Clarifying the vision of the state government, the Chief Minister said that the youth of Uttarakhand should now become job givers, not job seekers. Mentioning the report of the Migration Prevention Commission, he stated that in recent years, about 44 percent of the youth have returned to Uttarakhand from different parts of the country, which is proof of the increasing opportunities in the state.
At the end of the programme, the Chief Minister made a special request to the chef community, telling them that everyone should work together towards making the traditional dishes of Uttarakhand “Local to Global”. Their creativity and presentation can take the taste of Uttarakhand to the plates of the world. He expressed confidence that the ideas emerging from “Chef Samwad” will prove helpful in advancing Uttarakhand with a new vision in the fields of tourism, employment and culture, and the resolve to make Uttarakhand a strong, self-reliant and proud state will surely be fulfilled.
On this occasion, MLA Shri Bansidhar Bhagat, Shri Sanjay Mishra from Amrapali University, along with many prestigious chefs from across the country were present.
