Indian Hotels Company (IHCL) and Tata Steel Foundation (TSF) come together to preserve the indigenous culinary heritage and create sustainable livelihood opportunities. Anchored in Paathya, IHCL’s ESG+ framework, the collaboration with Samvaad – A Tribal Conclave by TSF supports home cooks through capacity‑building initiatives that strengthen skills and encourage entrepreneurship by hosting a series of curated tribal food pop‑ups at its hotels in Mumbai, Goa and Bhubaneswar.
Gaurav Pokhariyal, Executive Vice President – Human Resources, IHCL, said, “Central to Paathya is the belief that capability building can unlock sustained livelihood opportunities. Through our partnership with Tata Steel Foundation, we are engaging with tribal communities in a way that values traditional culinary practices while equipping home cooks with skills that expand their economic avenues. The intention is to create an ecosystem where heritage and livelihood reinforce one another.”
The Tribal Cuisines programme brings together traditional culinary practices and industry‑aligned training. Over the last three years, the initiative has engaged 56 participants from 10 states and 15 tribes through a structured residential programme covering culinary techniques, food safety, nutrition, hygiene and foundational business skills.
From 5th to 8th February, guests visiting Shamiana at Taj The Trees, Mumbai, will experience authentic tribal flavours, thoughtfully curated and prepared by the indigenous chefs using traditional techniques, indigenous ingredients and age-old recipes. This special showcase, Tales From Tribes, brings together the culinary wisdom, skills and native ingredients of four indigenous tribes — the Santhal and Asur tribes from Jharkhand, and the Garo and Rabha tribes from Meghalaya. The participating tribes will showcase local artefacts and handicrafts, offering guests a glimpse into their craftsmanship and way of life.
