In a delightful cultural crossover, Condé Nast Traveller India (CNT) transformed The Leela Palace New Delhi into a vibrant slice of the Northeast on May 4, 2026. Titled as an immersive evening inspired by their latest magazine feature on Meghalaya, the event offered Delhi’s discerning crowd a sensory journey through the hills—complete with authentic food, live music, traditional crafts, and heartfelt conversations.
The occasion stemmed from CNT’s recent deep-dive into Meghalaya, where Features Director Diya Kohli and photographer Ulf Svane captured the state’s rich culinary heritage, its people’s profound connection to the land, and the vibrant rhythm of Shillong’s cultural scene. The Delhi event took this story “off the page,” creating an evening that celebrated Meghalaya’s unique identity and invited guests to experience it firsthand.
High-profile guests included Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma and Tourism Minister Timothy D Shira, alongside MLAs, state officials, chefs, influencers, and Delhi-NCR’s cultural and hospitality elite. Chief Minister Sangma praised CNT’s fresh perspective on familiar landscapes and highlighted the state’s readiness to welcome travellers seeking authentic, offbeat experiences.
A Feast Rooted in Tradition
At the heart of the evening was a six-course tasting menu curated by Rynsan, one of Shillong’s most celebrated restaurants and a CNT Top Restaurant Awards honouree. Owner Hammarsing Kharhmar described the restaurant’s name—“platform” in Khasi—as a space to present Meghalaya’s heritage through contemporary expressions of food, music, and art.
Dishes highlighted indigenous ingredients and time-honoured techniques:
- Putharo sliders featuring smoked pork and banana flower chutney
- Banana blossom soup
- Crunchy fried bamboo shoots
- Kharang Khleh (smoked fish from the Umngot River)
- Smoked pork stew paired with wild ferns and turmeric rice
Each course was served on hand-thrown black clay pottery crafted by artisans from the Jaintia Hills. Table settings evoked Meghalaya’s sacred forests, with accents of eri silk and elements drawn from the region’s natural bounty.
Complementing the food were signature cocktails by Shad Skye from Shillong, served at The Singleton India bar. Blends such as the Bitchi Sour (infused with Garo Hills rice beer) and the Pinewood Old Fashioned creatively merged traditional local brews with modern mixology.
Conversations and Performances
A panel discussion brought together voices from Meghalaya and the hospitality world, including cookery consultant Ahmedaki Laloo, Ri Kynjai resort entrepreneur Larsing LD Sawyan, CNT’s Salil Deshpande, and Diya Kohli. The conversation explored the delicate balance of preserving indigenous knowledge—fermentation, pickling, and preservation methods passed down through Khasi, Jaintia, and Garo communities—while embracing innovation. Panellists also touched upon Shillong’s cosmopolitan energy and the state’s breathtaking landscapes.
The evening came alive with music as Shillong singer-songwriter Tipriti Kharbangar (formerly of the acclaimed blues band Soulmate) took the stage for The Singleton Social Analogue Jams. Her performance seamlessly blended Khasi folk roots with jazz and blues, creating an emotional soundtrack that mirrored the hills’ misty, soulful character.
A Bridge Between Cultures
Beyond the immediate experience, the event served as a thoughtful promotion of Meghalaya’s tourism potential. With developments such as the expansion of Shillong Airport underway, the state is positioning itself as a destination for meaningful, low-impact travel that honours its communities and environment.
For one memorable night, Delhi got more than just a taste of Meghalaya—it experienced its warmth, creativity, and deep-rooted connection to nature. CNT’s initiative successfully bridged the gap between India’s capital and the cloud-capped hills of the Northeast, leaving guests inspired to explore the region beyond the evening’s plates and melodies.
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