IICA brings diplomats together for Culinary Confluence

The International Institute of Culinary Arts (IICA), New Delhi, hosted its exclusive diplomatic workshop, Culinary Confluence, bringing together diplomats from nine nations for an immersive cultural and gastronomic exchange. Held at the institute’s Hauz Khas Village campus, the workshop is part of the Prelude Series leading up to Diplomatic Nite 2025 and welcomed 15 diplomats and senior representatives from Kenya, Thailand, Lesotho, Moldova, Bangladesh, Ecuador, Panama, Yemen and Germany.

Led by Executive Chef Sumit Gupta and the IICA faculty, the interactive session invited diplomats into the main kitchen classroom for a hands-on cooking experience. Participants collaborated to prepare three Indian classics, Mutton Dum Biryani from Lucknow along with Mirchi Baigan ka Salan and Burani Raita, both rooted in Hyderabad’s culinary heritage. The workshop highlighted how Indian cuisine can serve as a universal language, fostering connection and cultural understanding.

Chef Virender Singh Datta, Founder & Chairman of IICA, emphasised the larger purpose of the initiative, saying, “This exchange reflects India’s culinary legacy and its ability to unite people. Every cuisine carries the soul of its culture and today’s interaction reaffirmed that the essence of diplomacy, like cooking, lies in collaboration, respect and understanding.”

Linda Hawke of The Diplomatist, the driving force behind the Prelude Series, added, “Diplomacy flourishes when we sit together, laugh together and taste together. Today was not just about recipes; it was about relationships.”

Speaking about the initiative, Arjun Datta, Managing Director, IICA New Delhi, said, “Culinary Confluence is not merely a workshop; it is a cultural bridge. At IICA, we believe that the kitchen can be a powerful forum for dialogue. Welcoming diplomats to actively participate in preparing Indian cuisine creates a shared experience that is far more meaningful than observation alone. It is an honour for us to share the depth of Indian culinary traditions with distinguished representatives from around the world.”

The diplomats who attended the workshop and were presented with Certificates of Participation were:  Faisal Mahmud, Minister (Press), High Commission of Bangladesh in India;  Jakarin Treedara, Second Secretary, Royal Thai Embassy in India;  Parat Treedara, Royal Thai Embassy in India;  Marcie Kunnawattana, Minister Counsellor, Royal Thai Embassy in India;  Jane Kariuki, Minister Counsellor, Kenya High Commission in India;  Makhothatso Tsenoli, Lesotho High Commission in India;  Lucia Gulatee, Consultant, Embassy of Moldova in India; H.E. Fernando Bucheli, Ambassador of Ecuador to India; Dr. Talal Hamoud Abdo Al Mekhlafi, Cultural Attaché, Embassy of Yemen;  Andreas Franz, Overall Bureau Chief – TV and Radio, ARD First German TV & Radio; and  Fauzia Bakshi, Embassy of Panama in Costa Rica.

The event concluded with a tasting session and discussions on culinary diplomacy, reinforcing IICA’s mission to strengthen global appreciation of India’s rich culinary traditions.