A group of Nepali chefs based around the world and the country's tourism entrepreneurs have come together to promote Nepal as a principal destination for ‘food tourism’.
In early May, Nepal Government along with key hospitality partners launched a cookbook with more than 30 cuisines reflecting Nepal’s diverse heritage. During the event, Nepali chefs and restaurant operators across the globe were urged to use the recipe to entice non-Nepali food lovers to the country.
Click to download the cookbook.
Nepali Heritage Cook Book Source: Nepal Tourism Board
This is something that is close to heart for Sydney chef Suraj Pradhan. Pradhan, who was born in Nepal, was recently selected as the regional coordinator for Australia as a part of the effort to “globalise” Nepali cuisine.
For the past few years, Pradhan has been working to promote Nepali food among Australians. In 2017, he collaborated with local Nepali chefs to put together a food festival in Sydney.
Another Melbourne based Nepali organisation called Solangture has now hosted a Momo or Nepali dumpling festival for the second year in a row.
"Despite such festivals, many people in Australia are still unaware of what Nepali food is about", says Pradhan.
Many Australians who have been to Nepal might know about Momo or Daal- Bhat but what about Chukauni – a potato dish with sour yoghurt from Western Nepal or Chatamari – a rice flour pancake from Kathmandu, he questions.
“Our goal is to be able to get Australians and people in other countries to what Nepali food is and then go to Nepal and experience those dishes”.
Suraj Pradhan is also the Nepal ambassador for World Food Travel Association, which he says helps countries increase revenue through “culinary tourism”.
After attending an Australian tourism event, where food was the top priority for promoting tourism, Pradhan remembers asking himself why Nepal hasn’t done something similar.
This is where young Nepali chefs currently working in various restaurants across the globe can play an important role, he says.
Listen to the complete conversation in Nepali with Suraj Pradhan here.
