The picturesque hill station of Mussoorie is currently celebrating its rich culinary heritage as a vibrant three-day food festival got underway on Friday. The event is a central attraction of the ongoing Winterline Carnival, drawing food enthusiasts and tourists alike to the iconic Mall Road.
A Celebration of Authentic Himalayan Flavours
Organized jointly by the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board (UTDB) and the district administration in association with TOI, the festival serves as a dedicated platform for the state's gastronomy. The inauguration was led by Cabinet Minister Ganesh Joshi. He was joined by Mussoorie Municipal Council chairperson Meera Saklani, Sub-Divisional Magistrate Rahul Anand, and Sandeep Sahni of the Uttarakhand Hotel Association, among other dignitaries.
The festival grounds are lined with numerous stalls offering a wide array of traditional dishes and local food products. For veterans like Pankaj Agarwal, who has been presenting authentic Garhwali cuisine here for years, the event is crucial for cultural preservation. "This food festival helps safeguard our traditional recipes while also introducing them to a much wider audience," Agarwal explained.
Platform for Culinary Storytelling and Recognition
Echoing this sentiment, stall participant Sandeep Gupta highlighted the festival's role in shaping tourist experiences. "It allows us to present the real taste of Uttarakhand. Many visitors taste these dishes for the first time here, giving us a great opportunity to showcase our cuisine on a massive scale," Gupta stated.
Adding a layer of expert engagement, noted food explorer and Delhi Food Walks founder Anubhav Sapra is participating in the event. Sapra will lead culinary demonstrations, interactive discussions, and immersive food storytelling sessions. "I'm thrilled to be part of this festival. Uttarakhand possesses an incredible food heritage that deserves far greater recognition. Such events are vital to bring these local flavours and their stories to the forefront," Sapra remarked.
Amplifying the State's Culinary Identity
Beyond the stalls and tasting sessions, the festival is also focused on creating a lasting digital footprint. A dedicated food bloggers' meet is scheduled, aiming to bring together prominent food writers and content creators. This initiative is designed to amplify the narrative around Uttarakhand's unique culinary identity and ensure it reaches a national and global audience.
The ongoing festival at the Winterline Carnival is more than just a food fair; it is a concerted effort to celebrate, preserve, and promote the diverse and authentic food culture of Uttarakhand, turning Mussoorie into a temporary epicentre of Himalayan gastronomy.
