Discover Odisha’s Cultural Gems with Local Culinary Experiences
Chef Dev Biswal’s 12-day culinary tour of India offers an immersive experience with cultural visits, lavish feasts, and local insights, emphasizing sustainability and supporting local businesses. The tour is ATOL protected.
Chef Dev Biswal, the celebrated chef-patron of The Cook’s Tale restaurant in Canterbury, has unveiled an exclusive 12-day culinary tour of India, set to depart from Heathrow to Delhi on January 10, 2025. This unique journey, organised by The Cook’s Tales Holidays, promises an immersive experience into the rich culinary and cultural heritage of India, featuring palaces, tigers, temples, feasts, wines, and whisky.
Priced at £4,250 per person for double occupancy and £4,550 for solo travelers, the tour begins with a stay at the stylish Radisson Blu Hotel in Delhi. Participants will enjoy a guided tour of the city and dine at a renowned local restaurant before flying to Bhubaneswar in Odisha. Here, guests will explore ancient temples, Buddhist monuments, and Jain caves, and indulge in a lavish nine-course tasting lunch hosted by Biswal at the Mayfair Lagoon hotel, paired with fine wines from Sula Vineyards in Nashik. A day of relaxation at the hotel’s pool, spa, or pub is followed by a market visit and a cooking class with a local chef at Dimple’s Kitchen.
For me, the only way to understand a country’s cultural history is through its food and meeting the people who produce it,”
The adventure continues with a train journey aboard the Vande Bharat Express to Balasore, where guests will stay at the grand Belgadia Palace, home to Maharajah Praveen Chandra Bhanideo. The palace will host a royal BBQ-style welcome dinner, complemented by Indian whisky. Other highlights include visits to tribal villages in the Simlipal Tiger Reserve and a stay at the Konark Eco Retreat, offering mangrove forests, private beaches, and yoga sessions.
“For me, the only way to understand a country’s cultural history is through its food and meeting the people who produce it,” said Biswal. “I’m really looking forward to showing holidaymakers the area where I grew up and introducing them to some amazing characters.”
The tour emphasizes supporting local businesses and using local guides to provide an intimate experience, distinct from mass tourism. All trips are ATOL protected, ensuring travelers’ peace of mind.
The Cook’s Tale, named after Chaucer’s Canterbury Tale character Perkyn Revelour, is renowned for its dishes crafted from sustainable local produce sourced within 30 minutes of the kitchen. Chef Biswal, who grew up in Odisha and trained at the Dubai Sheraton, has been recognized by top restaurant guides and has won numerous awards, including Asian Chef of the Year at the Asian Restaurant Awards.
