Bhubaneswar, July 21(OT Webdesk): The Institute of Hotel Management buzzed with flavour and ambition as the semi-final round of the Subhadra Shakti Traditional Food Competition wrapped up on a high note.
Thirty Self Help Group (SHG) teams, representing districts across Odisha, showcased regional delicacies rooted in tradition and innovation.
Organised under the Mission Shakti initiative by the Odisha government, the competition is more than a battle of recipes—it’s a platform for empowering women through culinary entrepreneurship.
Each team, led by a Head Chef, Assistant Chef, and Kitchen Assistant, underwent rigorous training under culinary giants like Suraj Kumar Sahoo, Sambit Suman, Sailesh Sekhar, and MasterChef India’s Abinas Nayak.
After a spirited showcase, 10 teams clinched a spot in the Grand Finale scheduled for July 22 at Mayfair Lagoon.
Finalists hail from districts including Cuttack, Koraput, Nuapada, and Rayagada, carrying forward Odisha’s culinary legacy.
Beyond the contest, Subhadra Shakti is a stepping stone toward livelihood initiatives—Subhadra Shakti Cafés, ODOP clusters, and food festivals—all aimed at creating identity, income, and impact for SHG women.
As Odisha strides toward Viksit Odisha, these women prove that transformation can begin in the kitchen, one traditional recipe at a time.
