LFC PUNE
January-June 2026
I had been following ChefTZac and The Locavore’s work for a while, mostly as a quiet observer. What stood out to me was how thoughtfully they approached local food, not as a trend, but as a system shaped by people, places, and everyday choices. When I learned about the Local Food Club and the opportunity to be involved more actively, it felt aligned with what I care about. Being part of a growing community which is curious, intentional, and invested in our food system, truly matters to me. I look forward to contributing in whatever way I can and being part of this journey.
What’s your go-to local food spot in your city, and why does it matter to you?
Honestly, there isn’t just one go-to spot for me. Pune’s food culture has been shaped by multiple influences over decades, even centuries, and it shows in its everyday eating places. If I were introducing someone to the city, I’d take them through old Pune and Camp, that’s where the layers really come alive. My go-to spots would be Places like Surves or Airavat for non-veg thalis, Janseva Bhojanalay for a comforting Maharashtrian vegetarian thali (especially with fresh aamras in summer), Katakirr for misal, Vohuman for breakfast and Kayani for bakery staples. Each matter because they reflect a cultural thread that collectively defines Pune’s food identity.
One food trend you’re loving right now, and one you’re ready to see less of.
One trend I’m really appreciating right now is the growing awareness around food, people reading labels, asking where ingredients come from, and thinking about nourishment beyond convenience. What I’m ready to see less of is reducing everyday meals to just macros. Being mindful of nutrition intake absolutely matters, but when food is spoken about only as carbs, protein, or fibre, it loses its identity. Dishes have names, histories, and memories attached to them. They carry the labour of farmers, the care of cooking, and the warmth of tradition. Stripping food down to numbers often erases that deeper connection.
What’s something you’ll almost always find in your fridge?
Ginger, garlic, and mustard paste, always. They’re a staple in my house. Our food feels incomplete without a hint of mustard, honestly. And there’s almost always a stock of fresh saag in the fridge as well. We really love our mustard and greens. They show up in our everyday cooking and feel deeply familiar, almost instinctive at this point.
What’s an LFC moment or memory that you’ll never forget?
Every LFC meetup I’ve attended has been memorable in its own way. What stays with me most are the stories people share about a dish, a memory, or someone/something they associate it with. Listening to what food means to someone, beyond just taste, has been incredibly moving. I’ve seen friendships quietly form over shared plates and second helpings. And then there was the time someone slipped a friendship band onto my wrist during a meetup in Friendship Month. I hadn’t received one in years! I walked in for food and walked out feeling twelve again.
How do you imagine your Local Food Club growing and flourishing over time?
I imagine the Local Food Club growing into a space that gently shifts how we think about food. For me, impact looks like everyday awareness, recognising the people behind our meals and making more conscious choices about what and who we support. As the Super Locavore for Pune, I’m excited about turning ideas into small, meaningful actions. It doesn’t have to be grand; it can begin in our own neighbourhoods, speaking with vendors and producers, eating seasonally, understanding supply chains, documenting what we learn, exploring how migration has shaped our food culture, learning from home kitchens, or revisiting older food practices that supported both health and community. Over time, I hope this builds a community that is not only aware, but actively engaged with the food around them.