Raja Food Festival at The Orchid Hotel, Mumbai

By Sumita Chakraborty, Founder & Editor-in-chief, TheGlitz

As the rain softly kissed Mumbai’s skyline, I stepped into South of Vindhyas at The Orchid Hotel, Mumbai, one of India’s premium 5-star Ecotels, to attend the Raja Food Festival and was instantly transported to Odisha. Warm folk music filled the air, ornate jhulas swayed with vibrant dupattas, and the scent of pure, soulful cooking greeted me like an old friend.

Curated by Orchid Hotel with extraordinary care from 12th to 16th June 2025, this festival is a full-sensory celebration of Odia tradition, taste, and spirit. And let me tell you… it was meticulously executed and utterly unforgettable.

An Authentic Culinary Journey

I had the pleasure of meeting Corporate Chef Ranjan Panda, the passionate force behind this festival and Corporate Chef at Kamat Hotels India Ltd. Alongside an impressive team from Ira by Orchid Bhubaneswar and regional chefs flown in from Odisha, Chef Panda is on a mission to put Odia cuisine where it belongs… on the national culinary map.

When I asked him what makes this festival so special, the super talented yet humble, Chef Panda smiled and said, “Mumbai hasn’t tasted anything like this. Raja Festival at South of Vindhyas is our way of sharing authentic Odia food with Mumbaikars. And yes, the Abadha Mahaprasad travelling all the way from Jagannath Temple to The Orchid? That’s the divine blessing from the Gods itself.”

Indeed, it was.

Odia Delicacies Galore: Flavours That Sing with Soul

The Odia food bonanza kicked off on a refreshing note, with Bela Panna and Lembu Pani setting the tone for a flavour-packed feast. Then came the starters, and oh boy, each one was a bite-sized masterpiece! The Posto Nadia Bara, with its poppy personality and coconuttiest crunch, had me hooked from the first nibble. The Chattu Bara brought a fungi-tastic twist, crisped to golden perfection. But the real showstopper? The Chingudi Checha Chop… shrimp-ly irresistible! These minced prawn patties were so fin-tastically good, I kept coming back for just one more bite… and then another.

But the main course was where the magic deepened. Earthy and elegant, dishes like Dahi Baigana (curd-marinated eggplant), Saaga Nadi Tarkari (red spinach with vegetables), and Chingudi Poi Saaga Ghanta (prawns with Malabar spinach) showcased the seasonal and spiritual essence of Odia cuisine. The Aloo Kukuda Maansa Jhola (chicken with potatoes) and Mutton Jhola (slow-cooked lamb) brought hearty warmth to the table. The Mutton Jhola especially was to die for.

Every bite spoke of tradition, nothing pretentious, just pure, wholesome food kissed by heritage.

Sweet Endings

The dessert station was its own celebration… Rasabali, Pahala Rasagulla, Chenna Poda, Danadar, Khira Gajja, and more. The live counters served up fresh Chakuli Pitha, Malpua, and the ever-popular Dahi Bara Aloo Dum, a comfort food trio that felt like a warm hug.

Sacred Offerings

The undisputed highlight of the evening was the Abadha Mahaprasad, sacred offerings from the revered Jagannath Temple in Puri, graciously shared with every guest at The Orchid. In a gesture as thoughtful as it was profound, the hotel indeed created a moment that transcended mere hospitality. Watching Mumbaiites, many experiencing this divine feast for the very first time, receive it with such reverence and quiet joy was deeply moving. It felt like a a spiritual bridge between Odisha and Mumbai, built on the shared language of devotion and food.

A Cultural Immersion, Not Just a Meal

It wasn’t just about food. The ambience, with traditional music, pitha-making demos, and cozy swings for selfies, created a festive, immersive vibe. The Orchid Hotel, known for being India’s first eco-friendly five-star hotel, truly lived up to its reputation for thoughtful luxury.

TheGlitz Verdict:

If you believe food tells the best stories… if you’re hungry for a festival steeped in centuries of tradition and bursting with bold, unforgettable flavours, then the Raja Food Festival should definitely be your next stop. Every bite is a celebration… where heritage simmers, spices sing, and Odisha’s culinary soul comes to life on your plate. From the earthy comfort of age-old recipes to the zingy surprise of regional gems, it’s a feast that’s both exotically rich and nostalgically warm. To us, it’s a delicious, heartfelt hug from Odisha to Mumbai, and at TheGlitz, we say: The Raja Festival at The Orchid Hotel, Mumbai is a must visit… Come hungry, leave enchanted.