Cooking in Conversation
Back at Palash Villa, the experience unfolds around an open fire, lit with sustainably and ethically sourced wood from our own property. Guided by local cooks and your host, Rushant Dhanwatay, you’ll prepare regional dishes using traditional techniques and earthen cookware crafted by village artisans. Each session is unhurried, a space to learn, share, and connect through the language of food. What emerges is more than a meal; it’s a reflection of place, community, and respect for the land that sustains us.
A Journey Through Taste and Tradition
Local Culinary Journeys | 4 Hours
Step into the heart of Pench through its food. Our Local Culinary Journeys experience isn’t just about cooking, it’s about slowing down to understand how nature, people, and tradition come together on a plate. From handpicking ingredients in the village market to cooking over an open fire, each moment connects you to the rhythm of rural life and the generosity of the forest.
From the Land to the Kitchen
Our Local Culinary Journeys begin with the simple act of sourcing, in the hum of the village market or along forest trails where wild herbs, fruits, and flowers quietly thrive. From greens and lentils to wild mushrooms or mahua flowers, depending on the season, each ingredient tells a story of the land. Along the way, you meet the farmers, foragers, and vendors whose work keeps Pench nourished, gaining a deeper understanding of how closely local life follows the rhythm of nature.
"Every interaction, connects you to the land and its people, to a way of life that listens to the seasons and moves at nature’s pace."
When the food is ready, we gather to eat together, under open skies or in the shade of the trees. Every dish carries the essence of Pench’s land and people, reminding us that food is more than sustenance; it’s storytelling, identity, and belonging. These sessions embody our commitment to community-led tourism and help preserve traditional foodways, ensuring that local knowledge continues to thrive.
