Shillong, May 8: Condé Nast Traveller has celebrated the culinary and cultural heritage of Meghalaya on May 4 in New Delhi.
The event was attended by Chief Minister Conrad Sangma and others.
A specially curated menu by Shillong’s Rynsan brought the flavours of Meghalaya to New Delhi.
The evening featured a panel discussion with key voices from the region, including Larsing L.D. Sawyan, chef Ahmedaki Laloo along with Condé Nast Traveller’s Salil Deshpande and Diya Kohli
In a statement issued here, the Condé Nast Traveller India said it hosted a dinner in partnership with Meghalaya Tourism at The Leela Palace, New Delhi.
The evening celebrated the state’s rich culinary heritage and cultural depth, spotlighting voices and flavours from the region that continue to shape India’s evolving travel narrative.
Condé Nast Traveller India said it has long been committed to showcasing North East India, highlighting its vibrant culture, breathtaking landscapes and deeply rooted culinary traditions. Over the years, the brand has consistently championed stories from the region, bringing national attention to its unique people and experiences. Most recently, this commitment was reflected in the inclusion of Rynsan, Shillong’s trailblazing restaurant, in the Top Restaurant Awards list, marking a significant first for the city which also curated the menu for the soiree.
The event hosted a thought-provoking panel discussion featuring Larsing L.D. Sawyan, Managing Director, Centre Point Group Enterprise and owner of Shillong Lajong Football Club; Ahmedaki Laloo, chef and founder of A’Origins, known for indigenous Meghalayan cuisine and sustainable fine dining; and Diya Kohli, Director, Features & Special Projects, Condé Nast Traveller India. The conversation was moderated by Salil Deshpande, Head of Editorial Content, Condé Nast Traveller India in the presence of chief minister.
Setting the context for the evening, Deshpande said, “If you can trust the food of a place, you inherently end up trusting the people and its culture.”
Sharing his vision for the state, Conrad said, “One thing we know for sure is that there is huge scope in the tourism sector, and it is something we must focus on as we build the story of Meghalaya.”
He further added, “We’re not looking at large numbers, we want people to remember Meghalaya for its culture, our people, our food and our way of life.”
Reflecting on Meghalaya’s lasting appeal, Larsing L.D. Sawyan added, “There are very few destinations in the world where people tick off from their bucket list, been there, done that. But Meghalaya is one place where they say, once you cross east of the Brahmaputra, you are bound to return again and again.”
Speaking about the role of food in shaping cultural understanding, chef Ahmedaki Laloo added, “Food is a bridge to welcome everybody. Of course, we would always want to flaunt our traditional food, but at the same time, we want them to leave the foothills by remembering at least the main core ingredients.”
Bringing the conversation together, Diya Kohli said, “There’s a seamless continuum between the land, the people, the seasons and their identity, and all of it finds its way onto the plate.”
Notable guests from the evening included Hoihnu Hauzel, Cabinet Minister Timothy D Shira, Prateek Sadhu, Manish Mehrotra, Chiki Sarkar and others.
Bringing together tastemakers, industry leaders and cultural voices, the evening led by Condé Nast Traveller, aimed to further the conversation around regional narratives and spotlight Meghalaya as a destination of significance on India’s travel map.
Photo caption: (L-R) Larsing L.D. Sawyan, Salil Deshpande, chef Ahmedaki Laloo, and Diya Kohli
