Meghalaya with Niyati Rao

I came to Meghalaya carrying a question. After all it was my first time here ! With great expectations..
and the answer came in from two newly reinstated talented restauranteurs from Mumbai — @chefniyatirao & @sagarneve

An underrated, and might I add severely unexplored part of India with many assumptions to its culture, food and people. This slow paced trip revealed so much more than I expected/ through mornings that stretched longer than planned, food thats so very different (and exciting for a new palate expectation) onwards to sacred forests that ask you to take nothing, and markets that show you everything.

I woke up to stillness. Every. Single. Day!
Walked a tea estate and tasted its finest later.
Watched produce being grown quietly, with care.
Ate food that felt unfamiliar but somehow intuitive.
Saw how global techniques are slowly permeating the land all thanks to these two.
Held ingredients I didn’t recognise, from fish mint (what!) to silk worms to the hottest chilies I could handle.
Ended days with fire, woods, silence, and the best part – endless pork which was cooked so simply.

Meghalaya stopped feeling distant.

It didn’t answer my question about curiosity and authenticity…
but chef did, with panache!

Moments that stayed:
• waking up at @rikynjairesort
• tea, from estate to cup (Slasha!)
• foraging from a terrace farm
• Nonna Mei and familiar comforts @theshillongaddress
• Khasi food — jadoh, doh khleh, pork, greens and so much more
• Bara Bazar — Sichuan pepper, mushrooms, silkworms
• fires lit in wooden cabins, the lakes and hills

• sacred forest walks and old village discoveries

• breakfasts with global flavors

• one of the best bars there are @shadskyeshillong

This was my first time here.
It won’t be my last.