Bhubaneswar:
The semi-final round of the Subhadra Shakti Traditional Food Competition unfolded with vibrant energy at the Institute of Hotel Management (IHM), Bhubaneswar today, showcasing the culinary excellence and entrepreneurial spirit of women across Odisha. Thirty self-help group (SHG) teams representing their districts competed for a spot in the Grand Finale, scheduled to be held on July 22.
Organised by the Department of Mission Shakti, Government of Odisha, the competition highlights a growing movement to empower women through traditional food-based enterprises. The initiative, rooted in Odisha’s rich culinary heritage, has been progressing through block- and district-level contests and now culminates in a state-level celebration of skill, sustainability, and women-led enterprise.
Each semi-final team was composed of a Head Chef, Assistant Chef, and Kitchen Assistant, who earlier triumphed in their district competitions. Ahead of the semi-final, all 30 teams received intensive professional training during a week-long residential programme at IHM from July 14 to 19, where they were mentored by culinary professionals including Chef Suraj Kumar Sahoo (Executive Chef, Hotel Mayfair), Chef Sambit Suman, and MasterChef India Season 6 winner Abinas Nayak.
The expert jury—Chef Suraj Kumar Sahoo, Chef Sambit Suman (HoD, IHM Bhubaneswar), and Chef Sailesh Sekhar from Lyfe Hotel—evaluated the teams on traditional preparation, innovation, presentation, and taste. After a closely contested round, 10 teams from Cuttack, Mayurbhanj, Dhenkanal, Koraput, Nuapada, Rayagada, Malkangiri, Boudh, Nabarangpur, and Jagatsinghpur advanced to the finale.
All semi-finalists were awarded certificates and tokens of appreciation for their participation and dedication to preserving Odisha’s food culture.
The Subhadra Shakti Traditional Food Competition is part of a wider ecosystem of livelihood and empowerment efforts under Mission Shakti and Odisha Livelihoods Mission (OLM), including Subhadra Shakti Cafes, SHG-led Food Melas, and ODOP clusters. These initiatives not only promote forgotten and indigenous foods but also enable SHG women to transition from home cooks to successful entrepreneurs—building income, identity, and community impact.
As the countdown begins for the Grand Finale, the journey of these women reflects a larger narrative—where empowerment begins in the kitchen and leads to economic independence. With the rise of Odisha’s Lakhpati Didis, the competition stands as a tribute to tradition, innovation, and inclusive growth in the march toward a Viksit Odisha.