BBC Master Chef team promotes Nepali culture

The chef's team, including BBC Master Chef Santosh Shah, has promoted Nepal's original art, culture and various tourist destinations.

The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Nepal Chapter invited the finalists of 'BBC Master Chef: The Professional 2020' to promote the destination through Nepal's original culture and food as part of the campaign to revive the Nepali tourism sector after the COVID-19 epidemic. 

A team including Master Chef Santosh Shah, Chef Alex, Chef Bart, Chef Philip and others arrived in Kathmandu on April 7, 2022 and engaged in tourism promotion activities in different places for 10 days, according to a press release issued by PATA Nepal Chapter today. The observation, exploration and promotion of traditional houses in various destinations of Nepal by famous celebrity chefs wearing chef coats emblazoned with the national flag of Nepal has been taken as a meaningful initiative in the post-COVID-19 epidemic tourism revival campaign.

According to PATA Nepal, Master Chef's visit and activities in Nepal have promoted Nepal's original food and culture in the world market as well as conveyed a positive message that Nepal's tourism sector is fully open after the epidemic and Nepal is a unique destination for living experience. It is also stated that Master Chef's social media has also helped in the promotion of Nepal among the affiliated communities.

Similarly, the Master Chef has inspired Nepali youth chefs and hospitality students to engage in the latest practices, continuous exploration and effective promotion of Nepali food. Chef Santosh Shah said that the use of Nepali words to introduce Nepali food to the world stage was reflected in the originality of the word 'Ayala' which is used as a sign of Newari culture instead of the English word 'cheers' which is pronounced at any gathering. He had even released a promotional video related to 'Ayala'.

PATA Nepal Chapter in collaboration with PATA International Chapter, Nepal Air Services Corporation and International Airlines, Tourism Board and other private and government partner organizations will organize 'Nepal World Food Tour' with the involvement and support of Master Chef Shah for the promotion of Nepali original food in various international resource markets. PATA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Suresh Singh Budal said that the program will also be organized.

Organized by PATA Nepal, the program, titled 'MasterChef Finalist Tour to Nepal', was co-sponsored by Nepal Tourism Board and various organizations.