KOLKATA, MAY 20, 2025: Taj Chia Kutir Resort & Spa, Darjeeling with Gormei has curated its latest offering The Mountain Table, a vibrant showcase of the diverse and often undiscovered cuisines of the Eastern Himalayas.
The Mountain Table is a celebration of the vibrant, lesser-known cuisines of the Eastern Himalayas, spanning the diverse food traditions of Kalimpong, Sikkim, Darjeeling, parts of Nepal, China and Bhutan as well. Chef Ishita Rai Dewan and Chef Katherine Lim bring together an exciting array of local ingredients, indigenous fermentation techniques, heirloom grains, wild greens, and traditional recipes to tell the stories of the mountains on the plate.
The Kalimpong-Darjeeling-Kurseong region, a confluence of Nepali, Tibetan, Lepcha, Bhutia, and Chinese communities, will be at the heart of this exploration at the Taj Chia Kutir Mountain Table pop-up.
Chef Ishita’s menu reflects this rich cultural mingling from traditional dishes like Dhindo (spicy country chicken), Kanchemba (millet fries), Smoked Mutton or Pork served with Khuriku (buckwheat pancakes) Sisnu (Stinging Nettle) with dumplings, Gundruk (Fermented mustard leaves) and fermented mung beans salad to contemporary interpretations.
Commenting on this occasion, Chef Ishita Rai Dewan, said, “I am presenting the food I grew up with, the food of my hills, of Kalimpong and Darjeeling and tracing its deep roots across the Eastern Himalayan belt. These are dishes born in humble home kitchens, shaped by indigenous ingredients, age-old techniques, and the quiet wisdom of generations. As I connect the dots between Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan, and Tibet, I’m not just cooking, I’m honouring a living culinary heritage that deserves to be seen, tasted, and remembered.”
Chef Katherine will further showcase the nuanced influence of Chinese cuisine and ingredients on the region’s food ways, with ingredients like Cordyceps mushrooms, Osmanthus flowers, Fermented mustard Tubers (Zha Cai), revealing how migration and history have shaped the region’s unique culinary identity.
Chef Katherine Lim said, ” I am delighted to uncover the Chinese threads woven into the culinary identity of the Eastern Himalayas, and present dishes like 8 Treasure Soup with Cordyceps Mushrooms, Yang Tau Fu ( stuffed tofu ), Hakka Yam Mien ( noodles topped with meat or vegetables ) and a Chinese Congee with Himalayan Perilla seeds ”.
The Mountain Table will be available from May 22nd – May 28th 2025, at the famous all-day diner Chia Verandah. The set menus are priced at INR 3000 plus taxes for Vegetarian and INR 3500 plus taxes for Non- Vegetarian and is available for lunch and dinner both.
This unique pop-up experience brings together the exceptional talents of Chef Ishita Rai Dewan from Kalimpong and Chef Katherine Lim from Kolkata, who will artfully present an exciting array of local ingredients, time-honoured fermentation techniques, heirloom grains, wild greens, and traditional recipes. Each dish tells a story of the mountains, reflecting the region’s rich cultural tapestry.
Commenting on this occasion, Jitendra Singh Lote, General Manager, Taj Chia Kutir Resort & Spa, Darjeeling, remarked, “The Mountain Table is our humble effort to delight our guests with some uniquely curated dishes from the Eastern Himalayas by two talented chefs. Coupled with the breath-taking views and the serene ambiance of the historic Makaibari Tea Estate, it promises an unforgettable culinary journey.”
