Millet Cooking Workshop, Bhubaneswar Edition

From kodo wraps to Odia wedding-style pulled mutton, guests learnt how these hardy grains present many flavourful possibilities.

At The Locavore, we couldn’t imagine coming to Bhubaneswar, steeped as it is in Odia food culture, and leaving without adding a new millet spin to the mix.

 

With that in mind, our Cooking Workshop was focused on the connections that the people of Odisha have with millets, and how it can be integrated into cooking with them! This event was part of a cluster of weekend events for the Millet Revival Project, in association with Rainmatter Foundation. Through the cooking workshop we wanted to highlight the versatility of these ancient grains, promote their nutrition and flavour, and bring out their deliciousness through Odia cuisine! 

 

The workshop kicked off with warm welcomes and refreshing lemon-mint coolers. The venue buzzed with chatter over our interactive Millet Experience Grove, which included an array of produce from our #TLpartner producers — OOO Farms, Tillage, Umrani Farms, Last Forest, and Valley Culture India.

 

There was no one better to take us on this journey through Odisha’s rich culinary landscape than Chef Rachit Kirteeman and Chef Alka Jena, both stalwarts of the state’s incredible cuisine.

Guided by Chefs Rachit Kirteeman (@chef_rachit) and Alka Jena (@alkajena), the dishes we learned to cook showcased the profound knowledge and love for the cuisine that both chefs share, and seamlessly brought together millets and Odia flavours in new and refreshing ways.

Chefs Rachit and Alka started the workshop with a demonstration of Mandia Pej, a refreshing traditional Koraput beverage made from ragi and leftover rice water. Chef Alka told us that this is a staple drink that she has received in many homes she has visited, and no matter what time of day, it has always been served with love and care. The beverage is incredibly versatile because it can be had across seasons with some variations—like the addition of onions in the summer, or using black pepper, and sometimes jaggery to make a sweet version. 

Millets are so versatile, as we learned during this cooking workshop.

Locavores also learned how to make Bajra Jeera lanka crackers, a crunchy millet-based snack that highlights the versatility of pearl millet. The crackers were served with ambula rai dip—made with sundried, pickled raw mango seed and yogurt. So tangy, so delicious!

 

The Kodo Millet Wraps and Odia wedding-style Pulled Mutton really stole the show, with the dish not only reimagining how millets can be used in Indian cooking, but also how beloved Odia dishes can be given a twist. While we ate, everyone shared their favourite sunday mutton recipes, and it was really heartwarming to share this meal and hear these stories! This is what The Locavore is all about.

The delicious kodo millet wraps with pulled mutton and an ambula rai dip.

The workshop concluded with a Spiced Suan (little millet) kheer. The thick kheer was served on a base of ragi laddoo, and topped with some crushed pipali (long pepper, which is found abundantly in this region), which really adds a special something to the dessert. And for that bit of crunch—a sprinkling of Korakhai, a traditional Odia food served as temple prasad. It is made by mixing puffed rice into a mixture of caramelised sugar and water. 

 

This kheer was so incredible that we couldn’t plate it up and bring it out to everyone quickly enough—it was truly the star of the evening.

(L) Little millet kheer to end the evening. (R) The team with their full bellies after the delicious workshop.

Participants were able to taste and experience different avatars of four millets in just two hours—mandiya, bajra, kodo, and suan! And the recipes also offered them so many variations to suit their own palates. That was the beauty of the demonstrated recipes—they were incredibly tasty, easy enough to cook, but still different enough to try again and again with just a few minor twists.

At The Locavore, we love planning and executing events that highlight India’s diverse local foods, celebrating community, sustainability, and cultural heritage. Our events feature engaging workshops, discussions, immersive experiences and other formats that connect you to India’s rich food culture. Interested in collaborating or having us organise an event? Reach out at connect@thelocavore.in.