Preneeta Sharma
Shimla/Ranchi
Every journey has a destination, but for Chef Nand Lal Sharma, every destination is another chapter in the story of India’s timeless culinary heritage.
Having recently showcased the traditional cuisine of Himachal Pradesh at the prestigious Rashtrapati Bhavan, Chef Sharma is now set to carry the flavours of the Himalayas to Pan IIT Kaushal College, Ranchi, where he has been invited as an assessor and master culinary expert.
More than a professional engagement, the visit represents a cultural movement one that celebrates India’s forgotten food traditions and reconnects communities through authentic regional cuisine.
For decades, Chef Sharma has dedicated his life to ensuring that Himachal’s centuries-old recipes, once confined to village kitchens and festive gatherings, find their rightful place on national and international platforms.
His mission goes beyond cooking; it is about preserving identity, documenting tradition, and inspiring future generations to value India’s indigenous food wisdom.
At Ranchi, Chef Sharma will present authentic Himachali delicacies while creating a unique dialogue between the food traditions of Himachal Pradesh and Jharkhand.
Despite being separated by geography, both regions share a remarkable culinary philosophy respect for local ingredients, seasonal cooking, sustainable practices, and recipes deeply rooted in community life.
“Traditional cuisine is not merely food served on a plate; it is history preserved through taste, culture expressed through ingredients, and generations remembered through recipes,” says Chef Sharma.
The interaction with hospitality students promises to be much more than a cooking demonstration. It will be a lesson in cultural preservation, sustainability, nutrition, and the importance of protecting India’s regional food heritage in an era dominated by fast food and globalised tastes.
Widely regarded as one of the foremost ambassadors of Himachali cuisine, Chef Nand Lal Sharma’s illustrious career includes recognition through the Guinness World Records, Limca Book of Records, International Chef Award, King Chef Award, Himachal Excellence Award, and certification as a World Association of Chefs’ Societies (WACS) B-Level Judge. As President of the Him Aanchal Chefs Association (HIMCA) and DGM (Food & Beverage) & Consultant, HPTDC, he continues to champion India’s culinary legacy across the country.
His Ranchi visit symbolises far more than the promotion of one state’s cuisine ,it reflects the spirit of “Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat,” where regional traditions unite to tell the larger story of India’s cultural richness.
As the aroma of Siddu, Madra, Dham and other Himachali delicacies reaches Jharkhand, Chef Nand Lal Sharma once again proves that food is one of the strongest bridges between cultures, traditions and people.
From the majestic kitchens of Rashtrapati Bhavan to the vibrant classrooms of Ranchi, Chef Nand Lal Sharma continues to carry the soul of Himachal is one traditional dish at a time.
