Bhubaneswar: In a significant boost to Odisha’s cultural diplomacy through food, celebrity chef Ranveer Brar has been named the brand ambassador for promoting the state’s traditional Odia cuisine on the global stage.
The appointment, part of a larger push by the Odisha government to elevate the state’s culinary heritage, was formalised through an agreement signed by the Tourism Department in the presence of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi during the “Odia Paksha Closing Ceremony–2026” at the OUAT College of Agriculture here.
Similarly, MasterChef Season 6 winner Avinash has been named ‘Odia Culinary Champion’. With the support of MasterChef India finalists sisters Anju Pradhan and Manju Ojha, this campaign is expected to preserve the stories and science behind Odisha’s traditional recipes and take them from grassroots level to the international stage, an official release said.
Brar, known for his deep appreciation of India’s diverse regional cuisines and his work as a culinary explorer, expressed deep honour at the role. “I feel extremely honoured. Due to the blessings of Lord Jagannath, I have received this opportunity. Odia food should be promoted across the world,” he said, highlighting the sacred Mahaprasad of Puri’s Jagannath Temple and the understated elegance of traditional Odia preparations.
He called on Odias worldwide to support the initiative both digitally and on-ground, pledging to champion the cuisine on international platforms. “I will proudly promote Odia cuisine on global platforms,” Brar added.
