Tura, December 6 : The opening day of Me’gong Festival 2025 unfolded with vibrant performances, buzzing marketplaces, and an unmistakable aroma of heritage cooking wafting through the grounds. At the heart of this celebration was the Great Garo Hills Cook Off, which returned with greater excitement and purpose, bringing Meghalaya’s indigenous flavours to the fore.
With 11 passionate home chefs competing, the culinary arena became a showcase of dishes steeped in tradition, yet reimagined for a contemporary palate. Adding visibility and prestige to the contest was the presence of Nambie Jessica Marak, runner-up of MasterChef India Season 8, who joined as a special guest to help finalise the winners. Her presence elevated the platform for local talent, bridging community culinary traditions with national food narratives.
Jessica Marak expressed her admiration for the contestants’ creativity, noting how they combined indigenous dishes with modern techniques while using rarely found ingredients sourced from Meghalaya’s rich, fertile soil. “These ingredients are symbols of our lost heritage,” she remarked, “and festivals like Me’gong bring them back into the spotlight.”
Among the stories that stood out was that of Tatiline A. Sangma from Tura, participating for the very first time. She prepared Chicken Kappa, a deeply loved Garo delicacy, along with We’tepa, a traditional fish cooked over fire in banana leaf. For her, the Cook Off was more than a contest; it was an opportunity to honour the flavours she grew up with.
Another first-time participant, Seema R Sangma from Jengjal, turned her debut into a moment of triumph. Crafting her dishes using local shrimps, fish, and donggam leaves, she celebrated her roots through every ingredient. She described the experience as “a moment of pride, for my village, my family, and the flavours we’ve preserved for generations.”
Beyond the competition arena, the festival’s culinary spirit spilled into many stalls set up by the people of the state, along with entrepreneurs under the state’s flagship PRIME Meghalaya programme, thereby offering everything from local beverages and traditional snacks to ice cream. For visitors, it was a journey across Garo Hills’ gastronomic landscape in a single walk.
As the 5th edition of Me’gong continued to celebrate music, art, and culture, with traditional sports like Anding Oka, immersive VR experiences, the lively Brew Village, and performances by local artistes, the Cook Off stood out as a reminder that food remains one of the most powerful carriers of identity.
