IHCL, Tata Steel Foundation Partner to Promote Tribal Cuisines

IHCL and Tata Steel Foundation Collaborate to Support India’s Tribal Cuisines

Indian Hotels Company (IHCL) and Tata Steel Foundation (TSF) have partnered to preserve indigenous culinary heritage and create sustainable livelihood opportunities for tribal communities.

Anchored in Paathya, IHCL’s ESG+ framework, the collaboration with Samvaad – A Tribal Conclave by TSF focuses on capacity building for home cooks. The initiative aims to strengthen culinary and entrepreneurial skills and will feature a series of curated tribal food pop-ups at IHCL hotels in Mumbai, Goa, and Bhubaneswar.

Commenting on the partnership, Gaurav Pokhariyal, Executive Vice President – Human Resources, IHCL, said that the programme is centred on capability building as a pathway to sustained livelihoods. He noted that the collaboration engages tribal communities by respecting traditional culinary knowledge and equipping home cooks with practical skills to expand economic opportunities, thereby linking heritage to income generation.

The Tribal Cuisines programme combines traditional cooking practices with industry-aligned training. Over the past 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 basic business skills.

From 5 to 8 February, guests at Shamiana, Taj The Trees, Mumbai, will experience authentic tribal dishes prepared by indigenous chefs using traditional techniques, native ingredients, and long-established recipes. The showcase, titled Tales From Tribes, brings together culinary traditions from four indigenous tribes—the Santhal and Asur tribes from Jharkhand, and the Garo and Rabha tribes from Meghalaya.

In addition to food, participating tribes will present local artefacts and handicrafts, offering visitors insight into their craftsmanship and cultural practices.