Singapore: More than 120 special guests were treated to delicacies from the Odia cuisine at the Odisha Food Festival, hosted by the High Commission of India in Singapore recently.
The festival was held from April 10-12 in collaboration with Odisha Tourism, Global Schools Foundation (GSF), Singapore, and Odia Society Singapore. The High Commission hosted representatives from the Singapore Government, media, academia, business and community organisations for a special lunch.
The event was a celebration of the rich culinary traditions of Odisha. An Odia Cuisine workshop was also organised on April 10 as part of the food festival, where Chefs showcased on how to cook traditional Odia dishes. Odisha Tourism deputed two experienced chefs from Odisha for the Festival.
Taste of #Odisha in #Singapore
Local friends enjoyed #OdiaCuisine at the #OdishaFoodFestivalSingapore organised by @HCI_Singapore
with support from @odisha_tourism, Odia Society and @Global_Schools . pic.twitter.com/ZXy39EyTPn
— India in Singapore (@HCI_Singapore) April 12, 2025
“We are glad to be in Singapore and share our Odisha cuisine and foods with Singaporeans,” Sambit Suman, HOD at the Institute of Hotel Management (IHM) Bhubaneswar’s catering technology and applied nutritionist, told reporters.
Vijay Pradhan, a chef with Nimantran of the Odisha Tourism Development Corporation (OTDC), led in the preparation of a wide range of delicacies for the festival.
High Commissioner felicitated Chefs Mr Sambit and Mr Bijaya Kumara for making #OdishaFoodFestivalSingapore a great success.@HCI_Singapore appreciates support from @odisha_tourism for deputing them to Singapore for the Food Festival. pic.twitter.com/TpKdNBwAm1
— India in Singapore (@HCI_Singapore) April 12, 2025
The Odisha-Singapore connect
The ‘Odisha-Singapore connect’ got a major boost when President of Singapore Tharman Shanmugaratnam had visited Odisha as part of his State Visit to India in January 2025.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi also visited Singapore in November 2024.
This food festival further bolstered the ties, opined experts.
Singapore’s leading business groups have shown interest in investing in Odisha. With its diverse tourism offerings and direct flights to Bhubaneshwar, Odisha has immense potential to attract Singaporean tourists, experts claimed.