Shillong, March 27:The Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Conrad K. Sangma, today, inaugurated the third edition of Culinary Cascade 2026 at Ward’s Lake. The two-day festival, themed “Crafted for All 5 Senses,” is being held on March 27–28, 2026, and is organized by the Department of Tourism, Government of Meghalaya, in partnership with Meghalayan Age Ltd., MyMeG, and the Chief Minister’s Meghalaya Grassroots Music Program.
In his address, the Chief Minister congratulated the Tourism Department for organizing the festival. He said, “Over the past three years, this festival has evolved beautifully, creating multiple opportunities for our chefs, various stakeholders, and most importantly, the youth of our wonderful state.”
He highlighted the richness of Meghalaya’s cultural and natural assets, adding, “Our state has so much to offer—its culture, music, cuisine, people, natural landscapes, and scenic beauty. The challenge is to bring all these elements together, providing a platform that can shape them into something extraordinary.”
Elaborating on the state’s approach to festivals, he noted, “We are not doing new things; we are doing things differently. Many of these activities have existed in the past, but we have refined them, made them better, and ensured consistency. For the past eight years, Meghalaya has followed a clear tourism strategy: to showcase the best of our people, share it with the world, structure it meaningfully, and ensure continuity.”
Citing recent events, the Chief Minister said, “Just this afternoon, I inaugurated the first Indian Sailing League here in Umiam, with 182 sailors from eight countries and 14 teams participating—making it one of the largest sailing leagues in India. Only a few days ago, we inaugurated the first Shillong International Film Festival, bringing filmmakers and artists from across the country. The British international band Def Leppard performed here recently, and tonight, Russell Peters will entertain audiences in Shillong.”
On the strategic value of festivals, he emphasized, “Some critics question the value of these festivals, but I always say these events must be viewed as a series of activities building a larger brand for Shillong and Meghalaya. Individual successes or failures are part of the journey. These festivals are not mere expenditures—they are strategic investments in showcasing our state.”
Citing the Cherry Blossom Festival as an example, he added, “Once a small event with one or two concerts, it is now a nationally recognized event attracting participants from across India and the world. The Culinary Cascade is a similarly important piece of this larger picture.”
He further stressed that the festival goes beyond food, stating, “This festival is about more than just food. It is about history, culture, people—a complete story that evolves each year, growing richer and more compelling.”
He also encouraged strategic planning and documentation of festivals, saying, “I urge the Tourism Department to structure and market our festivals more effectively, creating a clear calendar of events so that audiences know what to expect. Proper documentation of these events is equally important. Videos, stories, notes, or reports can be compiled into coffee table books or reference materials, ensuring that the efforts invested translate into lasting impact.”
Mission 1000: Tackling Malnutrition and Stunting in Meghalaya. The Chief Minister also announced a new initiative to address malnutrition and stunting among children in Meghalaya. “While celebrating food, I want to address an issue very close to my heart. Our state faces multiple challenges in health, education, and nutrition. Malnutrition and stunting among children remain serious concerns. To tackle this, I am launching Mission 1000, a targeted initiative to eliminate malnutrition and stunting in Meghalaya.”
Mission 1000 will focus on monitoring every child from birth, providing targeted nutrition, and leveraging technology for continuous oversight. He elaborated, “I envision integrating this mission with local food resources. Our chefs, restaurants, and hotels can adopt villages or districts, promoting locally grown, nutrient-rich foods and creating programs that involve communities and CSR initiatives. By connecting this with the Culinary Cascade, we can address critical social challenges while celebrating our culture and cuisine.”
Earlier, Vijay Kumar D., IAS, Commissioner and Secretary, Department of Tourism, delivered the welcome address. He said, “The Government has consistently worked towards strengthening Meghalaya’s brand by creating platforms that generate opportunities for farmers, entrepreneurs, youth, and students. Culinary Cascade 2026, now in its third edition, continues to build on the principle of doing simple things well and consistently, with continuous improvements over the years through new ideas, partnerships, and perspectives.”
He also highlighted the festival’s focus on showcasing Meghalaya’s landscapes, cuisine, and crafts through thoughtfully designed spaces and experiences, noting that “food serves as a powerful medium to tell the story of the land, its people, and its heritage.”
Chef Ahmedaki Laloo, Festival Curator from A’ Origins, described Culinary Cascade 2026 as an evolving platform that goes beyond a conventional food festival to offer a multi-sensory experience engaging sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch.
She further highlighted the festival’s role in promoting Meghalaya’s hyper-local economy, supporting food-based enterprises, encouraging innovation, and creating linkages between agriculture, food processing, hospitality, and tourism.
The festival features a wide range of activities including panel discussions, culinary demonstrations, product launches, and musical performances. It aims to promote Meghalaya as a culinary tourism destination while providing a platform for local entrepreneurs, artists, and communities to showcase their talent and products. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Brenda L. Pakyntein, Director of Tourism.
