CM Dhami interacted with the chef community and called for making the flavors of Uttarakhand “local to global.”

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami participated virtually from his residence in the “Chef Dialogue” program based on millets, organized at the Amrapali University campus. A large number of young chefs from various parts of the country, experts from the hotel and tourism sector, academicians, and students were present on this occasion. The program aimed to foster a meaningful dialogue on Uttarakhand’s traditional cuisine, millet-based food, and the related employment and tourism opportunities.

During the program, young chefs asked Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami numerous questions regarding the promotion of traditional Uttarakhandi food, quality standards, government initiatives, and career prospects in this field. Responding to a question from Chef Shakti Prasad, the Chief Minister stated that the state government has issued instructions to all hotels to include traditional Uttarakhandi dishes on their menus. He also clarified that traditional Uttarakhandi food is given priority at the Chief Minister’s residence and various government programs, thereby giving respect and recognition to local cuisine.

In response to a question from Chef Sanjeev Juyal regarding bringing all chefs of Uttarakhand onto a common platform, the Chief Minister said that the Tourism Department would be instructed to prepare a comprehensive proposal in this regard, so that the state’s chef community can be brought together under an umbrella platform and provided with opportunities at the national and international levels.

Responding to a question from Chef Sunil Upadhyay regarding maintaining the purity, authenticity, and standards of traditional Uttarakhandi food, the Chief Minister informed that the government is working seriously on this issue. 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 flavors is preserved.

Regarding the government’s efforts for young people interested in pursuing a career in traditional Uttarakhandi cuisine, the Chief Minister said that the Tourism Department and the Skill Development Department are working together in a planned manner. The government’s goal is for young people to move towards self-employment and entrepreneurship based on local resources and traditional knowledge.

Addressing the program, Chief Minister Dhami said that this dialogue is not limited to food alone, but is also connected to the culture, traditions, and identity of Uttarakhand. He welcomed all the fellow chefs and subject matter experts from the hotel and tourism sector, and congratulated Amrapali University and its entire team for the successful organization of this thoughtful and meaningful “Chef Dialogue” program.

The Chief Minister said that Devbhoomi Uttarakhand is a land of traditions, culture, and diverse cuisine. The local dishes tell the story of the lifestyle, traditions, and soul of the mountains. Today’s tourist wants to experience not only the natural beauty but also the local culture and cuisine. In this context, the role of chefs becomes extremely important, as they take the state’s identity to the global stage through local flavors.

The Chief Minister also indirectly stated that today’s chef is not limited to the kitchen but has become a carrier of culture, a brand ambassador for tourism, and a means of employment generation. The contribution of local cuisine, hospitality traditions, and the chef community in taking Uttarakhand’s tourism to new heights is invaluable.

Discussing millets (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 millets, villages, farmers, and the last person in society are connecting with the mainstream of development. Crops like Mandua, Jhangora, Koda, and Ramdana are drought-resistant, rich in nutrients, and increase farmers’ income, and are well-suited to Uttarakhand’s climate and soil.

The Chief Minister also mentioned that under the leadership of Honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is today guiding the world in the field of millets. India is the world’s largest producer of millets and contributes approximately 38.4 percent to the total global production. Amidst changing global food priorities, there are vast opportunities for youth in sectors such as food processing, health food, hotels, cafes, homestays, and food startups.

Clarifying the state government’s vision, the Chief Minister said that the youth of Uttarakhand should now become job creators, not job seekers. Referring to the report of the Migration Prevention Commission, he stated that in recent years, approximately 44 percent of the youth have returned to Uttarakhand from various parts of the country, which is proof of the growing opportunities in the state. At the end of the program, the Chief Minister made a special appeal to the chef community, urging them to work together to take Uttarakhand’s traditional cuisine “from local to global.” He said that their creativity and presentation could bring the flavors of Uttarakhand to the world’s table. He expressed confidence that the ideas generated from the “Chef Dialogue” would help propel Uttarakhand forward with a new vision in the fields of tourism, employment, and culture, and that the resolve to make Uttarakhand a strong, self-reliant, and glorious state would surely be fulfilled. Present on the occasion were MLA Banshidhar Bhagat, Sanjay Mishra from Amrapali University, and many other renowned chefs from across the country.