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Chef on the Road

Jharkhand 2.0

Mahua, Forest Foods, and Community Kitchens in Jharkhand with Wild Harvest

Chef on the Road (COTR) returns to Jharkhand this March in collaboration with Wild Harvest and the Ekastha Foundation—a food-led journey through Ranchi, Jonha, and Hazaribagh, timed with the Mahua harvest.

Over four days, we’ll explore how food in Jharkhand is shaped by forest knowledge, seasonal rhythms, community kitchens, and everyday markets. From tasting freshly harvested Mahua flowers in Jonha to spending time with Sohrai and Khovar traditions in Hazaribagh, this journey brings together food, culture, and community—without any spectacle.

Expect moderate outdoor walking, one night of riverside camping, and shared meals across homes, markets, restaurants, and community-held spaces. This itinerary isn’t driven by sightseeing. It’s an invitation to travel slowly with a small group, learn through participation, and leave with a deeper understanding of where food comes from and who holds it.

REGISTER

Key Details

📍 Ranchi, Jharkhand
 🗓 25 March – 28 March 2026
 👥 Small group of 12 participants (limited seats)
 🥘 Food-led, Community-hosted journey

Photo Courtesy of Team Locavore.

A Note from ChefTZac (on why Jharkhand matters)

“COTR has always been about diving deeper into the soul of a place through its food. Jharkhand offers a unique opportunity to connect with communities who are keeping ancient traditions alive while embracing sustainable methods. This trip is about learning, sharing, and, above all, appreciating the intricate beauty of regional Indian food in a beautiful part of the country less explored by tourists.”
— Thomas Zacharias (ChefTZac)

Please note: ChefTZac will not be travelling on this edition. The journey will be facilitated by Neil Khopkar from The Locavore team alongside Wild Harvest and the Ekastha Foundation.

About Chef On The Road

Chef on the Road (COTR) is Chef Thomas Zacharias’ deeply personal exploration of India’s regional cuisines and food traditions. Since its inception in 2013, the series has aimed to uncover the untold stories of indigenous food systems while spotlighting sustainability and community-driven practices. Each journey brings together passionate travellers, curious eaters, and local communities in a shared celebration of food and culture.

Each COTR journey is different by design. Some unfold deep in forests; others move through farms, markets, and kitchens closer to our cities. What remains constant is the intent: to travel with care, learn through participation, and see food as culture, ecology, labour, and memory—not just flavour.

Through its Jharkhand edition, COTR highlights the work of The Locavore’s producer partner Wild Harvest while offering participants immersive experiences—whether it’s learning about Mahua harvesting, cooking with local ingredients, or sharing a community meal under the stars.

What This Journey Explores

An entry point into an often-overlooked region
Through markets, forests, community spaces, and everyday food traditions, this journey invites participants to engage with Jharkhand beyond stereotypes—through lived experience and local context.

Sohrai and Khovar: Art as seasonal memory
Encounter Sohrai and Khovar traditions through the work of the Sanskriti Foundation and local artists, understanding how these forms hold stories of land, ritual, and community life.

Mahua in context
Learn about the relationship communities in Jonha share with Mahua during peak harvest season—and how Wild Harvest is supporting ethical harvesting, processing, and livelihoods.

Ranchi’s urban food landscape
Taste Ranchi through its street food, markets, and local eateries—seeing how the city’s everyday food culture reflects history, migration, and regional identity.

Journey Flow

Day 1: Markets, Landscapes, and First Flavours
Arrive in Ranchi at Birsa Munda Airport (IXR) and head to Ranchi Gymkhana Club (RGC) for check-in. Over lunch, the group meets and eases into the rhythm of the journey. In the afternoon, we visit Satranji Market, an entry point into local ingredients and everyday life. Towards sunset, we head to Open Field for a curated dinner by Dr. Manisha Oraon and her team under the open sky, then return to RGC.

Arrival note: Please plan to reach Ranchi’s Birsa Munda Airport (IXR) no later than 1:00 PM on 25 March.

Day 2: Art, Memory, and Community Stories
We begin early with a drive to the Sanskriti Museum &Art Gallery in Hazaribagh, with breakfast on arrival. The morning includes time at the museum and a hands-on workshop with local artists. After lunch, we visit Putli’s home for a more intimate exchange and spend time with Padma Shri Bulu Imam, whose stories offer deeper context on the region’s history and culture.

By evening, we return to Ranchi for dinner at Ajam Emba, and meet its founder Aruna Tikrey, a pioneer of Jharkhandi cuisine.

Day 3: Forest Knowledge and Life in Deepa Toli

We start early with tasting Ranchi’s street food—favourites like litti chokha, bel sharbat, and sattu kachori. From here, we travel to Jonha and are welcomed by the community in Deepa Toli. Beneath Mahua trees, we learn about Wild Harvest’s work and the harvest season, followed by a shared community lunch.

By early evening, we head out on a forager-led forest walk with local knowledge keepers. By sundown, we arrive at our campsite along the river for a community cookout—food, music, conversation, and stories under the night sky.

Day 4: River Mornings and Farewell
Our final morning begins gently with a refreshing dip in the river, followed by riverside breakfast. We then trek back up to Deepa Toli, taking in the forest landscape one last time before driving onward towards Ranchi. The group gathers for one last meal together at Mandi Eddpa, an eatery showcasing Santhal food traditions. After lunch, we transfer to Birsa Munda Airport for departures in the afternoon. 

Departure note: Please book flights departing from Birsa Munda Airport (IXR) after 4:00 PM on 28 March.

Food and Drinks

This journey offers a meaningful introduction to Jharkhandi cuisine—its everyday flavours, seasonal rhythms, and the contexts in which food is grown, cooked, and shared. Expect a mix of street food, local restaurants, community meals, and open-air cooking. 

Mornings in Ranchi may begin with sattu kachori and jalebi with chai, or plates of dhuska–ghugni fresh from the kadhai, followed by bel sharbat, litti chokha, and other local staples that shape the city’s food culture.

As we move beyond the city, meals shift with place and season. You’ll taste dishes like patta roti, seasonal saags, red ant chutney, and slow-cooked community meals prepared in village kitchens and outdoors. With the Mahua harvest underway, the flower appears in many forms—freshly collected, folded into snacks and sweets, and often closing the day as a comforting Mahua kheer, shared under open skies.

Drinks are part of the story too. Where appropriate, you may be introduced to hadiya—a traditional rice beer fermented using local ‘ranu’ culture—shared in community settings and tied closely to season, ritual, and social life.

Food on this journey isn’t designed to be presented or performed. It’s cooked with care, shaped by availability, and shared generously.

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Our Hosts and Guides

This journey is held by a network of hosts, practitioners, and community members who know Jharkhand through lived relationships—with food, land, and people. Learning happens through shared meals, conversations, walks, and time spent together.

Rishabh Lohia | Founder, Wild Harvest and Ekastha Foundation

Rishabh Lohia is the founder of Wild Harvest, a social enterprise working with forest-dwelling communities in Jonha to ethically harvest, process, and reintroduce Mahua as a food-grade ingredient. Through both Wild Harvest and the Ekastha Foundation, he supports community-led livelihoods, conservation, and cultural preservation. On this journey, Rishabh shares the thinking, challenges, and possibilities behind building food systems that are ethical, seasonal, and community-owned.

Dr. Manisha Oraon and Team | Open Field, Khunti

Dr. Manisha Oraon, CEO of Open Field, is a dental surgeon deeply connected to her Oraon roots. Through Open Field, she—along with Kumar Abhishek, Prateek Toppo, and the rest of her team—works closely with farmers and local communities to support indigenous food cultures, sustainable livelihoods, and agro-ecological practices. Open Field offers an entry point into Jharkhandi food through Sarhul traditions, seasonal ingredients, and shared meals rooted in farming communities.

Bulu Imam and Gustav Imam | Sanskriti Museum & Art Gallery, Hazaribagh

At Sanskriti Museum, Padma Shri Bulu Imam and Gustav Imam host participants within the living traditions of Sohrai and Khovar art. Through their work, ancient cave paintings, marriage and harvest rituals, and contemporary artistic practice are brought into conversation with the present. Their storytelling and stewardship offer deep insight into how art, soil, food, and memory remain inseparable in Jharkhand’s cultural landscape.

Community Members | Ekastha Foundation and Deepa Toli

Community members from Deepa Toli and the surrounding villages host participants during the Jonha leg of the journey. They share meals, forest knowledge, foraging practices, and everyday rhythms of life—offering context that can’t be learnt from books or presentations, only through presence and participation.

Neil Khopkar | Partnerships Lead, The Locavore

Neil Khopkar is the primary point of contact for this journey and leads on-ground coordination, working closely with partners, hosts, and communities across Ranchi, Hazaribagh, and Jonha. He helps hold the flow of the trip—logistics, transitions, and day-to-day rhythm—while ensuring the experience remains grounded, respectful, and community-led. If the evening mood is right, participants may also find themselves listening to Neil sing—an unplanned but much-loved part of time spent around shared tables and campfires.

Nights 1 & 2: Ranchi Gymkhana Club
For the first two nights, you’ll unwind at the Ranchi Gymkhana Club, a serene retreat offering modern comforts amidst greenery. The establishment combines a welcoming ambience with thoughtfully designed accommodation, making it an ideal base to relax after exploring Jharkhand’s rich culture and heritage.

Night 3: Riverside camp in Jonha Forest
On the third night, the experience takes an adventurous turn as you camp in the Jonha Forest by the river. Surrounded by the tranquil sounds of nature, you’ll sleep in tents set up exclusively for the group. While the campsite offers a shared makeshift toilet, the beauty of the place—under the stars, by the river—will make it a truly memorable and immersive part of the journey.

Accommodation is on a twin-sharing basis. We recommend applying in pairs, or being comfortable sharing with another participant.

This journey is intentionally designed for a specific kind of traveller. Please read this section carefully—it matters as much as the itinerary.

This journey is likely a good fit if you:

  • Care deeply about food—how it’s grown, gathered, cooked, and shared
  • Are curious about food as culture, ecology, and labour
  • Enjoy slow travel and shared experiences
  • Are comfortable with basic living conditions and limited amenities
  • Are open to learning through participation—walking, listening, adapting
  • Can travel in a small group with patience and flexibility

This journey is not a good fit if you:

  • Are looking for luxury or convenience-first travel
  • Prefer fixed menus, advance meal choices, or restaurant-style dining
  • Are uncomfortable with camping, shared facilities, or limited hot water/electricity
  • Expect tight schedules, guaranteed outcomes, or sightseeing-led itineraries
  • Approach food, people, or culture as something to consume rather than engage with

This is a food-led, community-held journey. Those who come prepared for that often find it deeply rewarding.

Please read this carefully and pack only what’s listed. This journey involves a night of camping and basic facilities. Packing correctly is essential for your comfort, safety, and the group’s experience.

Clothing and Accessories 

  • Comfortable clothes, light jacket
  • Anti-slip trekking shoes
  • A sun hat or a cap
  • Sunglasses

Miscellaneous 

  • Chargers (and backup battery packs, if possible)
  • Flashlight/torch
  • Sunscreen
  • Prescription and sufficient doses of medication
  • Mosquito repellants
  • A water bottle

Important: Please pack light! You’ll also need to carry a small day bag that can fit essentials and one night’s clothing for our camping experience by the river.

Weather Forecast (check before you pack!): https://www.accuweather.com/en/in/ranchi/203541/weather-forecast/203541

The cost per person is ₹ + 5% GST (Total: ₹ ).

What to know

  • Accommodation will be on a twin-sharing basis. We recommend booking in pairs so you’re comfortable sharing a room with your travel partner.
  • The cost covers the curated journey, accommodation, meals, local transport, guides, and on-ground facilitation.
  • Travel to and from Ranchi’s Birsa Munda Airport must be arranged separately as per the specific timings suggested by us.
  • Personal expenses and anything not listed under “What the Cost Includes” are not covered.
  • All bookings are non-refundable and non-transferable, including due to cancellations in cases of illness, injury, personal emergencies, or changes in travel plans.
  • Final cost details, payment timelines, and booking steps will be shared upon registration.
  • A GST-compliant invoice will be issued upon confirmation of booking.

Accommodation
Twin-sharing rooms at Ranchi Gymkhana Club and twin-sharing tents at the Jonha campsite.

All Meals
All group meals from lunch on Day 1 through lunch on Day 4 (including community meals and campsite dinner).

Local Transport
All ground transportation during the journey, including group airport transfers within the specified arrival/departure windows, and travel between Ranchi, Hazaribagh, and Jonha.

Experiences
All planned experiences—market visits, workshops, walks, community-led activities, and campsite programming.

On-ground Facilitation
Facilitation by The Locavore team and partners as part of the Chef on the Road journey.

Travel to and from Ranchi
Guests must book their own flights to Ranchi. Please ensure arrival by 1:00 PM on 25 March and departures after 4:00 PM on 28 March.

Personal Expenses
Personal shopping, snacks outside group meals, medicines, and individual expenses.

Unforeseen Costs
Costs arising from weather delays, roadblocks, or other factors beyond our control.

Anything Not Mentioned Above
Any item or service not explicitly listed under “What the Cost Includes”.

Chef on the Road | Jharkhand 2.0
Curated by The Locavore in collaboration with Wild Harvest and Ekastha FoundationThese Terms and Conditions apply to all participants booking and joining the Chef on the Road journey to Jharkhand, curated by The Locavore in collaboration with local community partners.
 By registering for and participating in this journey, you agree to the following terms in full.

1. Booking and Confirmation

  • To express interest, participants must complete the registration process as outlined on the website or via email.
  • Shortlisted participants will receive a confirmation email with payment details, timelines, and key journey information.
  • A booking is considered confirmed only after full payment of the tour fee has been received.
  • The Locavore reserves the right to refuse participation to any applicant if the journey is deemed unsuitable based on physical preparedness, intent, or alignment with the values and nature of the trip.

2. Payment Terms

  • Full payment is required at the time of booking to secure a spot on the journey.
  • Payments must be made only through official payment methods shared by The Locavore.
  • Prices are quoted per person and are subject to 5% GST, applicable to all-inclusive tour packages under current GST regulations.
  • A GST-compliant invoice will be issued upon confirmation.
  • Any bank charges, currency conversion fees, or transaction charges are the responsibility of the participant.
  • The journey is priced based on shared group transportation and a fixed itinerary. Participants who arrive later than the designated arrival window on Day 1 or depart earlier than the scheduled departure on Day 4 may need to arrange private transport at their own cost.

3. Cancellation and Refund Policy

  • All bookings are non-refundable and non-transferable, including in cases of illness, injury, personal emergencies, or changes in travel plans.
  • If a participant is unable to attend after booking, no refund or credit will be issued.
  • The Locavore is not responsible for costs incurred due to flight cancellations, delays, or changes made independently by participants.
  • This policy exists because the journey is community-led, capacity-limited, and involves advance commitments to hosts, guides, accommodation providers, and local partners.

4. Changes to Itinerary

The itinerary shared is indicative and may be modified due to:

  • Weather conditions
  • Forest conditions or emergencies
  • Road conditions or natural disruptions
  • Political unrest, strikes, or local closures

The Locavore reserves the right to adjust the schedule, experiences, or accommodation as required to ensure safety and continuity. No refunds will be provided for itinerary changes that do not materially reduce the overall duration of the journey.

5. Physical Fitness and Participation

  • This journey involves walking through forests, uneven or unpaved terrain, wet or muddy surfaces, and shallow water crossings.
  • Participants are responsible for assessing their own physical and mental fitness prior to booking.
  • By joining the journey, participants confirm that they are fit to undertake the activities involved.
  • The Locavore reserves the right to limit or stop a participant’s involvement in any activity—or the journey itself—if continued participation poses a risk to the participant, others, or the community. No refund will be issued in such cases.

6. Responsibility, Risk, and Liability

Participants acknowledge that travel in rural, forest, and community settings carries inherent risks, including but not limited to:

  • Slips, falls, and minor injuries
  • Weather-related disruptions
  • Limited or delayed access to medical facilities

The Locavore, its partners, facilitators, guides, and hosts are not liable for any injury, illness, loss, damage, delay, or inconvenience suffered during the journey. Basic first aid will be available, but advanced medical care may not be immediately accessible. Participants travel at their own risk and are responsible for their own health, safety, and well-being at all times.

7. Accommodation and Facilities

  • Accommodation includes twin-sharing rooms and shared tents at the forest campsite.
  • Facilities at the campsite are basic and shared.
  • Hot water, electricity, and mobile network connectivity may be limited or unavailable at the campsite.
  • Participants acknowledge and accept these conditions as an integral part of the experience.

8. Food and Dietary Restrictions

  • Meals are shaped by season, availability, and local food practices.
  • The Locavore will make reasonable efforts to accommodate dietary restrictions if communicated in advance.
  • Due to the community-led and location-specific nature of cooking, all dietary preferences or restrictions cannot be guaranteed.

9. Community Conduct and Respect

This is a community-held journey. Participants are expected to:

  • Follow local customs, taboos, and guidance
  • Respect boundaries around food, foraging, photography, and movement
  • Refrain from extractive, intrusive, or disrespectful behaviour

Hunting, fishing, foraging, or collecting any material without explicit permission is strictly prohibited. The Locavore reserves the right to remove any participant whose behaviour disrespects the community, environment, or group, without refund.

10. Photography, Video, and Media Use

  • Participants may take photographs and videos for personal use.
  • Consent must be obtained before photographing or filming individuals, homes, or community spaces.
  • By participating, guests grant The Locavore and its partners the irrevocable right to use photographs, video, and audio recorded during the journey for documentation, editorial, and promotional purposes, across all media, worldwide, without additional compensation.
  • Participants who do not wish to appear in documentation must inform the team in writing prior to the journey.

11. Accessibility

  • This journey has low accessibility for wheelchairs or mobility aids.
  • Participants with specific access needs should reach out prior to booking for clarification.

12. Force Majeure

The Locavore shall not be held liable for delays, cancellations, or changes caused by events beyond reasonable control, including but not limited to natural disasters, political unrest, strikes, pandemics, or acts of God.

13. Governing Law

These Terms and Conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of India. Any disputes shall be subject to the jurisdiction of Indian courts.

14. Agreement

By booking and participating in this journey, you confirm that:

  • You have read and understood these Terms and Conditions
  • You agree to abide by them fully
  • You accept the nature, risks, and responsibilities of this journey

Have any queries? Reach out to us at connect@thelocavore.in!