News & Announcement
Traditional Cuisine Training Programme for Homestay Operators Launched at IHM Gangtok
A Traditional Cuisine Training Programme aimed at strengthening culinary presentation and hospitality standards among homestay operators was inaugurated at the Institute of Hotel Management, Gangtok. The training is being conducted under the Sikkim INSPIRES Project with a focus on enhancing authentic tourism experiences across the state.
The programme commenced with a welcome address by Ms. Indira Singh, Senior Lecturer (IHM), who briefly outlined the objectives of the training and emphasized its relevance for homestay operators. Mr. Sanjeev Pakehtra, Head of Department (IHM), along with Deputy Directors, Tourism and Civil Aviation Department, Government of Sikkim, Mr. Nirmal Cintury and Ms. Yamini Pradhan, also welcomed the participants and highlighted the importance of food presentation. While participants are already well-versed in preparing traditional cuisine, the training aims to enhance plating, presentation, and service standards to add value to homestay offerings and improve guest satisfaction.
Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Yamini Pradhan, Deputy Director – Hospitality, Tourism and Civil Aviation Department, Government of Sikkim, elaborated on the Sikkim INSPIRES Project and its role in skill development and strengthening homestays across Sikkim. She noted that contemporary travellers increasingly seek authentic and traditional tourism experiences, making such capacity-building initiatives both timely and essential. She extended her best wishes to all participants for a successful training.
Dr. Prerna Chamling, Special Secretary and Administrator (IHM), interacted with the participants to understand their background, confirming that all attendees were associated with homestays. She explained that the training was specifically designed for individuals working in homestay kitchens and had been initiated based on requests from homestay operators themselves. She highlighted IHM Gangtok’s role as the state’s premier hospitality training institute and shared that several successful trainings have already been conducted under the Sikkim INSPIRES Project. The current programme has been further refined based on past experiences to ensure greater effectiveness.
Dr. Prerna Chamling also informed participants that accommodation arrangements had been made and encouraged them to report any issues to the faculty. She requested participants to maintain discipline within the institute premises, as regular academic classes are also in session, while assuring them of a comfortable learning environment. She further shared that a field visit has been arranged as part of the programme to provide practical exposure and encouraged active participation and regular attendance throughout the training.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Ms. Indira Singh, marking a positive start to the training, which is expected to strengthen traditional cuisine presentation and contribute to the overall improvement of homestay services in Sikkim.
The second batch of Traditional Cuisine of Sikkim training is scheduled on 9 February, 2026.
The programme commenced with a welcome address by Ms. Indira Singh, Senior Lecturer (IHM), who briefly outlined the objectives of the training and emphasized its relevance for homestay operators. Mr. Sanjeev Pakehtra, Head of Department (IHM), along with Deputy Directors, Tourism and Civil Aviation Department, Government of Sikkim, Mr. Nirmal Cintury and Ms. Yamini Pradhan, also welcomed the participants and highlighted the importance of food presentation. While participants are already well-versed in preparing traditional cuisine, the training aims to enhance plating, presentation, and service standards to add value to homestay offerings and improve guest satisfaction.
Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Yamini Pradhan, Deputy Director – Hospitality, Tourism and Civil Aviation Department, Government of Sikkim, elaborated on the Sikkim INSPIRES Project and its role in skill development and strengthening homestays across Sikkim. She noted that contemporary travellers increasingly seek authentic and traditional tourism experiences, making such capacity-building initiatives both timely and essential. She extended her best wishes to all participants for a successful training.
Dr. Prerna Chamling, Special Secretary and Administrator (IHM), interacted with the participants to understand their background, confirming that all attendees were associated with homestays. She explained that the training was specifically designed for individuals working in homestay kitchens and had been initiated based on requests from homestay operators themselves. She highlighted IHM Gangtok’s role as the state’s premier hospitality training institute and shared that several successful trainings have already been conducted under the Sikkim INSPIRES Project. The current programme has been further refined based on past experiences to ensure greater effectiveness.
Dr. Prerna Chamling also informed participants that accommodation arrangements had been made and encouraged them to report any issues to the faculty. She requested participants to maintain discipline within the institute premises, as regular academic classes are also in session, while assuring them of a comfortable learning environment. She further shared that a field visit has been arranged as part of the programme to provide practical exposure and encouraged active participation and regular attendance throughout the training.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Ms. Indira Singh, marking a positive start to the training, which is expected to strengthen traditional cuisine presentation and contribute to the overall improvement of homestay services in Sikkim.
The second batch of Traditional Cuisine of Sikkim training is scheduled on 9 February, 2026.
