
December 19, 21, 22, 23 | The Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu
The Nilgiris Wild Foods Festival is a four-day annual celebration of wild & cultivated indigenous and organically grown local produce of the Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve. Bringing together indigenous cooks & growers, renowned chefs, organic farmers, artists, writers, musicians, local residents, and visitors, it is an endeavour to spread awareness and preserve the myriad native food traditions, and culinary knowledge from the region.

The Nilgiris Foundation
The Nilgiris Foundation Inc. (TNF), is a not-for-profit established internationally to create awareness, share knowledge, and build bridges between eco-development initiatives in the Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve and the rest of the world.
TNF, a sister concern of Keystone Foundation, is an inclusive platform that leverages Keystone Foundation’s 30 years of experience in grassroots education and sustainable living. The food festival kicks off a stream of similar events which will be led by TNF to create experiences, awareness, and cross-cultural partnerships in the areas of conservation and livelihoods. The objective of the festival is to open a dialogue and bring awareness to the importance of wild, local and seasonal foods, and conservation and sustainability in the food production industry, in a climate-changed future.
All proceeds from the sale of the tickets go to The Nilgiris Foundation to support the meaningful work and outreach in the areas of eco-development, and conservation across the Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve. Donors (all tiers) are eligible for 80G tax exemption receipt against the purchase of tickets and donations. Please write to contact@thenilgirisfoundation.org to receive the same.
The Nilgiris Wild Food Festival Experience At A Glance

- Full details here
- Ticket price 2500 INR
20 seats onlySOLD OUT

- Full details here
Ticket price 1000 INRSOLD OUT

- Full details here
- Ticket price 1950 INR
50 seats onlySOLD OUT

- Full details here
- Ticket price 3250 INR
30 seats onlySOLD OUT

- Full details here
- Ticket price 4250 INR
30 seats onlySOLD OUT

The Periodic Table, Little Earth Square, Ooty
- Full details here
- Ticket price 4800 INR
40 seats only (20 lunch, 20 dinner)SOLD OUT
Speakers, Chefs And Panelists
(Click on the photos to read more)

Lathika George
Environmentalist, Author,
Organic Gardener

Lathika George

Abhijit Saha
Hospitality and F&B Consultant, Restauranteur, Author, Chef

Abhijit Saha

Thomas Zacharias
Chef and Founder
The Locavore

Thomas Zacharias

Rakesh Raghunathan
Food Historian, Raconteur, South Indian Culinary Ambassador

Rakesh Raghunathan

Arup Kakati
Corporate Chef
Littlearth Group

Arup Kakati

Jenny Pinto
Film Maker, Lighting Designer, Writer, Culinary Consultant

Jenny Pinto

Pratim Roy
Founder - Director, Keystone Foundation & The Nilgiris Foundation

Pratim Roy

Snehlata Nath
Founder - Director
Keystone Foundation

Snehlata Nath

Mathew John
Managing Director, Last Forest, Founder Director, Keystone Foundation

Mathew John

Robert Leo
Advisor to Keystone Foundation & Aadhimalai (APPCL)

Robert Leo

Dr. Harisha R P
Postdoctoral Research Fellow & Project Manager, ATREE

Dr. Harisha R P

Janagiamma
Managing Director, Aadhimalai, Healer, Journalist, Organic Farmer

Janagiamma

Malliga
Coordinator (Pillur), Aadhimalai

Malliga

Book Your Tickets
All proceeds from the sale of the tickets go to The Nilgiris Foundation to support meaningful work, awareness events, and outreach in the areas of eco-development, food sovereignty, and conservation across the Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve. Donors (all tiers) are eligible for 80G tax exemption receipt against the purchase of tickets and donations. Please write to contact@thenilgirisfoundation.org to receive the same.
Attend talks and enjoy, wild and indigenous food tastings, cultural programs, exhibits and stalls
A sit down, multi-course, Badaga tasting menu and cultural program, Riverside Dreamscapes, Aravenu
Experience chefs’ tables with experimental menus designed by renowned chefs with seasonal, wild and local ingredients
Experience chefs’ tables with experimental menus designed by renowned chefs with seasonal, wild and local ingredients
TNF Inner Circle
The Nilgiris Foundation’s Inner Circle is a small club for those who care about the Nilgiris, and who are enriched by knowing they make a meaningful impact on protecting biodiversity and indigenous communities in this diverse and beautiful place.
Membership in this exclusive group helps to forge one’s connection to the Nilgiris more deeply, lengthening the roots that one already has in this extraordinary region.The Nilgiris Foundation’s Inner Circle is a small club for those who care about the Nilgiris, and who are enriched by knowing they make a meaningful impact on protecting biodiversity and indigenous communities in this diverse and beautiful place.
The Nilgiris Foundation
Inner Circle Supporter
You will also enjoy long-term access to the Nilgiris through Keystone Foundation’s field base in Kotagiri, which will let you experience and engage with the region as we do.
The Nilgiris Foundation
Inner Circle Patron
You will also enjoy annual stays in the Nilgiris, long-term access to the region through Keystone Foundation’s field base in Kotagiri, which will let you experience and engage with the region as we do.