Traditional Himachali cuisine is set to take centre stage in Shimla as the district administration gears up for the “Shimla Pahari Swaad Mahotsav 2026” during the International Summer Festival Shimla 2026 from June 8 to 12 at Rani Jhansi Park on the historic Mall Road.
The festival will spotlight women-led culinary talent from across the region, with applications invited from professional chefs, local food entrepreneurs, women-run cafés and restaurants, SHGs under NULM, and women known for preserving authentic Himachali recipes.
Before the main event, shortlisted participants will battle it out in a district-level cooking competition at Institute of Hotel Management Kufri on June 2. Winners of the culinary contest will earn the opportunity to run food stalls during the grand summer festival.
Organisers said stalls will be judged not only on taste, but also on hygiene, presentation, customer response, traditional appeal, sales, and overall experience, making the event a vibrant showcase of Himachal’s rich food culture.
To add to the excitement, cash prizes of ₹51,000, ₹31,000, and ₹21,000 will be awarded to the top three performers, along with consolation prizes for other standout participants.
The last date for applications is May 29, 2026. While the application fee is ₹500, selected finalists will be required to deposit ₹25,000 as stall charges.
Nurturing Creativity – Keekli Charitable Trust, Shimla
