News & Announcement
Sikkim’s First International Street Food Festival Culminates with Grand Celebration at Ridge Park
Gangtok, June 1 (IPR):
The International Street Food Festival, a pioneering initiative under the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of Sikkim’s Statehood, concluded today with a vibrant closing ceremony at Ridge Park, Gangtok.
Organised by the Department of Tourism & Civil Aviation, Government of Sikkim, in collaboration with the Institute of Hotel Management (IHM) Sajong and the Sikkim Hotels and Restaurants Association, the event showcased the rich culinary diversity of the state and provided a robust platform for the hospitality sector to engage with the public.
The valedictory programme was graced by Minister for Tourism & Civil Aviation and Commerce & Industries Departments, Mr Tshering Thendup Bhutia, as the Chief Guest. Chairman, STCS and MLA Barfung constituency Mr Riksel Dorjee Bhutia, attended as the Guest of Honour.
The event also witnessed the presence of Additional Chief Secretary (T&CA) Mr CS Rao, PCE-cum-Secretary (Engineering Cell) Mr Neeraj Pradhan, senior government officials, faculty and students of IHM Sajong, and representatives from the hotel and restaurant industry.
The programme commenced with a welcome address by Additional Secretary, Tourism & Civil Aviation Department Dr Prena Chamling, who commended the collaborative spirit that defined the successful execution of the festival.
In his address,Minister Mr Tshering Thendup Bhutia extended his sincere appreciation to all stakeholders for their valuable contributions in making the first-of-its-kind International Street Food Festival a grand success. He stated that the event, organized as part of the 50 Years of Statehood Celebrations, has significantly contributed to positioning Ridge Park as an alternative venue to MG Marg for hosting high-profile public events.
The Minister informed that under the visionary guidance of the Chief Minister Mr Prem Singh Tamang , the government is actively exploring the establishment of a permanent event infrastructure at Ridge Park to facilitate regular hosting of cultural and tourism-centric festivals.
Highlighting the tourism-centric vision of the Government, the Minister remarked that Sikkim has successfully demonstrated its capacity to recreate and present world cuisines with finesse, thus furthering its reputation as a premium experiential tourism destination. He reiterated that tourism remains the primary economic sector of Sikkim, directly impacting livelihoods and promoting cultural exchange.
The Minister placed special emphasis on the involvement of the Institute of Hotel Management Sajong, noting that the event served as a valuable learning and industry exposure platform for its students. He encouraged the youth of Sikkim to explore professional training in hospitality by enrolling in IHM Sajong, which is emerging as a centre of excellence in culinary and hospitality education.
Additional Chief Secretary Mr CS Rao, in his remarks, announced that the festival saw footfall more than twice the expected average, validating its impact and public appeal. He expressed his admiration for IHM Sajong’s organisational capacity and culinary leadership, and proposed the institutionalisation of the festival as a biannual feature. He also credited the Chief Minister’s inaugural visit on the first day of the event as a source of significant encouragement for stakeholders.
A special experience-sharing segment by participating stall owners followed, during which they expressed gratitude to the government and organisers, and offered constructive feedback for future editions.
Certificates of participation and tokens of appreciation were presented to all participants and supporting line departments.
The awards ceremony recognised excellence in various categories:
Best Decor and Stall Preparation
Mayfair Hotels & Resorts Limited – Winner
Denzong Regency – 1st Runner-up
IHM Sajong – 2nd Runner-up
Most Innovative Culinary Concept
Denzong Regency – Winner
Gangtok Groove – 1st Runner-up
Days Inn by Wyndham Gangtok – 2nd Runner-up
Best Customer Engagement Experience
IHM Sajong – Winner
Yuksom Breweries – 1st Runner-up
Red Semo – 2nd Runner-up
Jury members— Councillor of 06-Tathangchen Ward Ms Pema Lhamu Lamtha, Additional Secretary Planning & Development Department Ms Rohini Pradhan, and Senior CHA, T&CA Department Mr Vikash Rai were felicitated for their valuable service.
Mementos were presented to the Chief Guest and Guest of Honour as tokens of appreciation. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Assistant Lecturer, IHM Sajong Ms Nima Choden Lhasungpa, following which Minister Mr Tshering Thendup Bhutia officially declared the festival closed.
The successful conclusion of the International Street Food Festival stands as a definitive step forward in experiential tourism and vocational hospitality training in Sikkim—reaffirming the state’s emergence as a dynamic destination for culinary and cultural exchange.
The International Street Food Festival, a pioneering initiative under the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of Sikkim’s Statehood, concluded today with a vibrant closing ceremony at Ridge Park, Gangtok.
Organised by the Department of Tourism & Civil Aviation, Government of Sikkim, in collaboration with the Institute of Hotel Management (IHM) Sajong and the Sikkim Hotels and Restaurants Association, the event showcased the rich culinary diversity of the state and provided a robust platform for the hospitality sector to engage with the public.
The valedictory programme was graced by Minister for Tourism & Civil Aviation and Commerce & Industries Departments, Mr Tshering Thendup Bhutia, as the Chief Guest. Chairman, STCS and MLA Barfung constituency Mr Riksel Dorjee Bhutia, attended as the Guest of Honour.
The event also witnessed the presence of Additional Chief Secretary (T&CA) Mr CS Rao, PCE-cum-Secretary (Engineering Cell) Mr Neeraj Pradhan, senior government officials, faculty and students of IHM Sajong, and representatives from the hotel and restaurant industry.
The programme commenced with a welcome address by Additional Secretary, Tourism & Civil Aviation Department Dr Prena Chamling, who commended the collaborative spirit that defined the successful execution of the festival.
In his address,Minister Mr Tshering Thendup Bhutia extended his sincere appreciation to all stakeholders for their valuable contributions in making the first-of-its-kind International Street Food Festival a grand success. He stated that the event, organized as part of the 50 Years of Statehood Celebrations, has significantly contributed to positioning Ridge Park as an alternative venue to MG Marg for hosting high-profile public events.
The Minister informed that under the visionary guidance of the Chief Minister Mr Prem Singh Tamang , the government is actively exploring the establishment of a permanent event infrastructure at Ridge Park to facilitate regular hosting of cultural and tourism-centric festivals.
Highlighting the tourism-centric vision of the Government, the Minister remarked that Sikkim has successfully demonstrated its capacity to recreate and present world cuisines with finesse, thus furthering its reputation as a premium experiential tourism destination. He reiterated that tourism remains the primary economic sector of Sikkim, directly impacting livelihoods and promoting cultural exchange.
The Minister placed special emphasis on the involvement of the Institute of Hotel Management Sajong, noting that the event served as a valuable learning and industry exposure platform for its students. He encouraged the youth of Sikkim to explore professional training in hospitality by enrolling in IHM Sajong, which is emerging as a centre of excellence in culinary and hospitality education.
Additional Chief Secretary Mr CS Rao, in his remarks, announced that the festival saw footfall more than twice the expected average, validating its impact and public appeal. He expressed his admiration for IHM Sajong’s organisational capacity and culinary leadership, and proposed the institutionalisation of the festival as a biannual feature. He also credited the Chief Minister’s inaugural visit on the first day of the event as a source of significant encouragement for stakeholders.
A special experience-sharing segment by participating stall owners followed, during which they expressed gratitude to the government and organisers, and offered constructive feedback for future editions.
Certificates of participation and tokens of appreciation were presented to all participants and supporting line departments.
The awards ceremony recognised excellence in various categories:
Best Decor and Stall Preparation
Mayfair Hotels & Resorts Limited – Winner
Denzong Regency – 1st Runner-up
IHM Sajong – 2nd Runner-up
Most Innovative Culinary Concept
Denzong Regency – Winner
Gangtok Groove – 1st Runner-up
Days Inn by Wyndham Gangtok – 2nd Runner-up
Best Customer Engagement Experience
IHM Sajong – Winner
Yuksom Breweries – 1st Runner-up
Red Semo – 2nd Runner-up
Jury members— Councillor of 06-Tathangchen Ward Ms Pema Lhamu Lamtha, Additional Secretary Planning & Development Department Ms Rohini Pradhan, and Senior CHA, T&CA Department Mr Vikash Rai were felicitated for their valuable service.
Mementos were presented to the Chief Guest and Guest of Honour as tokens of appreciation. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Assistant Lecturer, IHM Sajong Ms Nima Choden Lhasungpa, following which Minister Mr Tshering Thendup Bhutia officially declared the festival closed.
The successful conclusion of the International Street Food Festival stands as a definitive step forward in experiential tourism and vocational hospitality training in Sikkim—reaffirming the state’s emergence as a dynamic destination for culinary and cultural exchange.