Itinerary at a Glance
-
Arrival at Bagdogra Airport by afternoon. Chauffeured Car Pick Up
2.5-3 hr Drive to the charming town of Kalimpong nestled in the Himalayan foothills; Scene of a quiet food revolution proudly championing local ingredients, traditions and terroir and ranging from coffee to seasonal greens and more.
Check in to the classic Hotel Mayfair or Elgin Silver Oaks or similar.
Fermentation Workshop with local restaurateur & food writer Ishita Rai -Gundruk , Kinema, Pickles, Churpi, Sel Roti.
Curated Kalimpong (confluence of Bhutanese, Tibetan, Nepali, Chinese) dinner at Cloud 9 Himalayan Kitchen
-
Visit to Kalimpong Haat and Organic Food Market for farm-grown vegetables, herbs, local produce , homemade pickles and delicious snacks
Drive to Glenburn Tea Estate ( 1.5 hours). Check in to your luxury suite
Al Fresco Lunch under the Old Pomelo tree with local specialities like Perilla Chutney, Stinging Nettle Soup, local pork, country chicken, vegetables
Thongba ( millet beer) tasting
High Tea at the 110 year old Burra Bungalow, with freshly baked cakes and savouries
Explore the gardens and the village, relax in the various cozy nooks, enjoy the sunset. Beautiful views of Kanchenjunga on a clear day.
Brainstorming Session and Groupings with fellow Chefs for Saturday’s Grand Cookout
Tibetan & Chinese themed dinner in the elegant Dining Room.
-
Tea Plantation and Factory Tour; Premium Darjeeling Tea Tasting Sessions
Nature Walk down to the river; foraging in the hills and forests on the way - discover mushrooms, wild gooseberry, tamarillos, stinging nettle and more
BBQ at the campsite by the roaring River Rungeet; cooking with fellow chefs; grilling mountain trout, meats and vegetables on open firewood
Evening Cocktails: Planning & Prep for tomorrow’s Grand Cookout
Tea Themed Dinner by Chef Shaun Kenworthy
-
Sustainability in Mountain Cuisine / Sourcing Ingredients from the hills - a session over breakfast
Foraging in the hills and forests Part 2 ; discover blue turmeric, drooping fig, sawtooth coriander and more
Nepali Lunch at the Glenburn Orchard - cooking on clay stoves with a Nepali family
Prep & Planning for the evening
Grand Cookout on the Estate lawns
-
Check out on Tuesday September 3. Drop at Bagdogra airport.
For more details see www.gormeitravel.com/chefs-retreat
Follow Gormei on instagram @gormeihk