Veggie Fest Chicago, one of the largest vegetarian food and wellness festivals in the United States, welcomed over 40,000 attendees this year for a weekend of plant-based flavors, health-focused workshops, and cultural exchange. Among the culinary highlights was the participation of Chef Surendra Rawat, Executive Chef at India Palace Restaurant in Wheaton, Illinois, and an active member of the American Culinary Federation, Indian Culinary Forum, and Chefs’ Guild of India.

With over 15 years of professional culinary experience, Chef Rawat used the festival’s stage to bring the lesser-known cuisine of Uttarakhand to an international audience. His live demonstration featured three traditional dishes: instant vegetable pickle, Himalayan Heritage Bread stuffed with Black Lentils, and mushroom masala. These dishes reflected his dedication to preserving regional flavors while promoting the health benefits of traditional Indian ingredients.

Himalayan Heritage Bread Stuffed with Black Lentils

Ingredients:

• ½ cup ragi (finger millet) flour
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• ¾ cup water (or as needed)
• ½ cup black lentils, soaked overnight
• Pinch of red chili powder
• Pinch of ajwain (caraway seeds)
• Salt to taste
• 1 tsp chopped fresh cilantro
• ½ tsp minced garlic

Method:

1. Prepare the dough by mixing ragi flour, whole wheat flour, and water until smooth and pliable.
2. Drain the soaked lentils and grind coarsely. Mix with red chili powder, ajwain, salt, cilantro, and garlic to make the stuffing.
3. Divide the dough into small balls, flatten slightly, and place a spoonful of stuffing in the center. Seal and roll out gently into a roti.
4. Cook each roti on a hot griddle for 1–2 minutes on each side until golden brown. Serve hot.

Mushroom Masala

A hearty dish made with mustard seeds, garlic, onions, tomatoes, mushrooms, and a blend of traditional Indian spices, cooked until the mushrooms absorb the rich flavors. The result is a vibrant, aromatic preparation that’s perfect with Indian breads or rice.

Instant Vegetable Pickle

A quick, tangy, and spicy side dish prepared using fresh vegetables, mustard oil, and an assortment of ground spices. This pickle delivers a punch of flavor and is a perfect complement to any Indian meal.

A Culinary Ambassador for Uttarakhand

For Chef Rawat, events like Veggie Fest Chicago are more than just cooking demonstrations—they are cultural showcases. Through his dishes, he introduces audiences to the diversity of Indian vegetarian cuisine and the nutritional benefits of native ingredients. His culinary outreach extends beyond festivals to nonprofit organizations, public libraries, and professional chef associations, where he has conducted numerous educational cooking sessions.

Currently working on his debut chef memoir, Chef Rawat aims to document his journey from his village roots to the professional kitchens of America, blending personal stories with traditional recipes.

“Indian cuisine is so much more than butter chicken and naan,” he says. “I want the world to know our grains, our greens, our mountain spices, and our stories.”

At Hospitalitynews, we recognize Chef Surendra Rawat as a passionate custodian of North Indian culinary heritage. His presence at Veggie Fest Chicago stands as yet another milestone in his mission to bring the flavors of Uttarakhand to the world—one demonstration at a time.

Bengaluru’s CAHOOTS is inviting guests to celebrate India’s 78th Independence Day in style with a refreshing treat and a touch of sweetness. On Friday, August 15, 2025, patrons can enjoy a 25% discount on all Hoegaarden beer on tap—the perfect way to raise a toast to freedom.

To make the celebration even more memorable, every meal comes with a complimentary Tiranga-themed dessert, adding a patriotic flair to the experience.

Located at Ground Floor, No 48/1, Brigade Road, near McDonald’s, Shanthala Nagar, Ashok Nagar, Bengaluru, CAHOOTS promises a lively ambience, great food, and refreshing drinks—making it the ideal spot to enjoy the spirit of independence with friends and family.

This Independence Day, gather your loved ones and join CAHOOTS for a celebration filled with flavour, freedom, and fun.

India is a land of diverse cultures, traditions, and languages, ever-changing every 50–100 kilometers, yet united by one deep connection, our love for food. Recognizing this, The Baker’s Dozen (TBD), India’s leading artisanal bakery brand, has launched its touching ‘Different Tongues, One Taste’ campaign this 79th Independence Day.

Known for its authentic, high-quality baked goods, TBD’s campaign film captures everyday moments from across India where food becomes an expression of love, care, and connection. From a wife surprising her husband with his favorite Banana Walnut Cake, to a father slipping a Donut Cake into his son’s school bag, to a working woman assuring her mother she’s eating healthy with sandwiches made from Fourgrain Sourdough Bread, the film highlights how TBD’s products become part of life’s most heartfelt gestures.

A young girl sending her mother a photo of Dark Chocolate Cookies, saying they taste just like home, reflects the central message, different cities, languages, and traditions may define us, but food connects us all.

The film can be viewed on You tube and Instagram

As part of the campaign, TBD is collaborating with food creators from Maharashtra, Kerala, Gujarat, and West Bengal. These creators are recreating traditional regional recipes using TBD’s products, blending heritage with artisanal innovation.

Speaking about the campaign, Aditi Handa, Co-founder & Head Chef at TBD, shared, “Cooking is a universal language to express love and care. In our factory, I work with people from diverse cultures who enrich the products we make. This campaign celebrates cultural multiplicity through food and the love it carries, especially in times when language differences are often highlighted.”

Sneh Jain, Co-founder of TBD, added, “We wanted to mark Independence Day in a way that resonates with people from all walks of life. Food is one language everyone understands, and our film shows how it can transcend boundaries to bring people together.”

Founded in 2013 in Mumbai by Sneh Jain and Aditi Handa, The Baker’s Dozen has grown from a local bakery to India’s largest artisanal bakery brand, with a presence in over 100 cities. With a state-of-the-art 30,000 sq. ft. facility near Ahmedabad and partnerships with leading quick-commerce and retail platforms like Blinkit, Instamart, Zepto, Big Basket, Nature’s Basket, and Namdhari, TBD continues to deliver high-quality baked goods across the country.

This Independence Day, TBD invites everyone to celebrate diversity, unity, and love through the shared language of food.