Renowned Chef T’Zac visits Bhopal for the first time, to revive the community and culinary experiences of millets at Cafe Amado, as Locavore Potluck brings food & nutrition advocates together.
The Locavore, in partnership with Rainmatter Foundation, is set to launch its Millet Revival Project with its first-ever events in Madhya Pradesh, hosted by Café Amado. Taking place on November 16-17, 2024, these gatherings aim to rekindle interest in millets—a nutritious, climate-resilient grain—through interactive culinary experiences and community discussions.
The two-day event series includes Bhopal’s First-Ever Locavore Potluck and a Millet Cooking Workshop, both held at Café Amado, a venue that stands for simplicity, sustainability, and community connection.
“We are excited to bring our first millet-focused event to Bhopal,” says Chef Zacharias. “Millets have the potential to reshape our food systems by promoting biodiversity and climate resilience, and these events at Café Amado are a step toward celebrating and reviving these ancient grains.”
The Locavore’s Millet Revival Project is supported by Rainmatter Foundation, an organization dedicated to fostering sustainability and climate-focused initiatives. Through this collaboration, The Locavore and Café Amado aim to provide the Bhopal community with engaging ways to rediscover the value of millets and the rich culinary traditions surrounding them.
Event Details:
- Bhopal’s First-Ever Locavore Potluck
- Date: Saturday, November 16
- Time: 2:30 pm onwards
- Location: Café Amado, Bhopal
- Highlights: The event will feature The Locavore Shuffle, a popular culinary game, followed by a community potluck where attendees can share homemade dishes and exchange recipes. Additionally, there will be a screening of The Bird, the Priest, and the Sixteen Millet Thieves, a documentary by SPS Community Media that explores the traditions and challenges of millet farming in rural Madhya Pradesh.
- Millet Cooking Workshop
- Date: Sunday, November 17
- Time: 9:45 am onwards
- Location: Café Amado, Bhopal
- Highlights: This hands-on workshop, led by chefs Thomas Zacharias (founder of The Locavore), Sayani Sengupta, and Meenal Shejwar of Café Amado, will introduce participants to traditional and modern millet recipes. The chefs will share techniques to make cooking with millets accessible, fun, and delicious, sparking conversations around the evolving role of heritage grains in contemporary cuisine.
About Chef Thomas Zacharias :
Thomas is a chef with nearly 15 years of professional cooking experience. The first phase of his career was centered around European cuisine, starting out as a line cook at Le Bernardin, New York City’s famed three Michelin star eatery in 2009. But in 2014, a culinary expedition across India made him rethink his entire approach to food. He went on to helm the kitchen at The Bombay Canteen as Chef Partner, finding inventive ways to showcase indigenous ingredients through contemporary regional Indian cuisine.
About Meenal Shejwar : Ms. Meenal is a Chef and restaurateur with over 12 years of experience in the Food & Beverage industry. Her work in Food & Beverage industry has earned recognition in esteemed publications like The Sugar, Cake Masters London, and Conde Nast Traveller and Curly Tales.
About The Locavore:
Founded in 2022 by Chef Thomas Zacharias, The Locavore is a platform dedicated to cultivating a sustainable food culture by championing local produce, archiving culinary heritage, and supporting food practices that are resilient to climate change. Driven by Chef Zacharias’ years of culinary expertise and commitment to community-focused food initiatives, The Locavore aspires to create lasting impact through food.
About Café Amado:
Bhopal’s Café Amado, founded by chef and restaurateur Meenal Shejwar, is the city’s first ingredient-driven, sustainable café. Known for its commitment to minimalist and eco-conscious dining.
