PATA Nepal Chapter supported the “Food and Beverage Mela 2022” held on 22nd April 2022, at the Regional Stadium at Biratnagar Line in Itahari, Sunsari, which witnessed over 4000 spectators from different parts of the province 1. The event was hosted and managed by Premier Hotel School, one of the esteemed educational member colleges of the PATA Nepal Chapter, located in Itahari, Province 1, Nepal. 

MasterChef Santosh Shah and PATA Nepal Chapter CEO-Mr Suresh Singh Budal, and other invitees and local dignitaries attended the fest themed at “Ghumau Purba”, aiming to promote the culture, cuisine and tourism of province 1, east Nepal.

Mr. Sunil Bhusal, CEO/Founder of Premier Hotel School and Executive Committee of PATA Nepal Chapter, extended his welcome remarks and shared the highlights, purpose and importance of the F&B Mela 2022.  

Speaking at the Inaugural ceremony, Chef Santosh Shah briefed about his mission to promote Nepali cuisine and culture throughout the world with the support and collaboration of all national and international tourism stakeholders and friends of Nepal. He emphasized that Nepali culture and cuisine are the alluring aspects of our destinations and will be promoting Nepal with the "Nepal World Food Tour" alongside the different tourism promotional events in various source markets for Nepal. 

Mr. Suresh Singh Budal, addressing the inaugural ceremony, said that tourism in eastern Nepal could readily flourish with targeted marketing and promotional initiatives having immense tourism potential with fascinating mountains, hill stations and promising accommodation establishments emerging in the region. Connecting his recent visit to the Barahkshetra, he said that Nepal should promote "CharKshetra" in a similar manner to Chardham, including Barakhsetra, Muktikshetra, Kurukshetra and Hariharkshetra. He said, "Barakhsetra and Muktikshetra in Nepal and  Kurukshetra and Hariharkshetra in India are the four major pilgrimage sites for Hindus devoted to Lord Bishnu. The packaging and promotion of the "Char-Kshetra" would be an instrumental initiative to promote, develop and expand tourism in Province 1." 

The Chief Guest, Mr Krishna Shah (Executive Board member of Nepal Tourism Board), felicitated Chef Santosh Shah in recognition of his invaluable contribution to promoting Nepali cuisine on the global platforms and invited all the present spectators to visit and promote beautiful destinations in east Nepal.

The participants enjoyed the various delicacies at the diverse food stalls set up under the local foods and multi-cuisine theme by the students of Premiere Hotel School. Similarly, the renowned Nepali artists: Pramod Kharel, Rachana Rimal and Samir Shrestha entertained the audience with their spectacular musical concerts together with songs and dance performances by the students of Premiere Hotel School.