While its mission revolves around preserving Nepalese culinary heritage, Everest Cuisine’s impact has always extended beyond brick and mortar. Under the guidance of Executive Chef Sagar Pradhan and restaurateur Pemba Sherpa, its reach now spans continents through thoughtful global partnerships and initiatives. With each endeavor, they remain steadfast in curating experiences that amplify cultural connections through the shared joy of flavors from the Himalayas.
Everest Cuisine’s first foray overseas came in 2013 with the opening of Everest Lounge at the University of California, Davis. Here, hungry students sample the mountains in bites catered from the flagship location. Prolific collaborations followed, including providing Himalayan dishes for international food festivals. From LA’s Taste of Himalayas to San Francisco’s Roots and Culture Week, these events brought alive cultural diplomacy through dishes.
In 2016, Everest Cuisine joined hands with Slow Food International on their global Ark of Taste cataloging indigenous foods at risk of extinction. By featuring ingredients through dishes and events, they help producers access wider markets to sustain ancient foodways. Memorable highlights included slow food salons delving into the culinary biodiversity of specific regions within Nepal.
To foster understanding through bellies, Everest Cuisine also partners with the non-profit Learning Through Tastes offering cooking classes in schools. Lessons immerse students in Nepalese Culture through seasonal ingredients, food customs, and behind-the-scenes supply chain insights. This initiative has since expanded nationwide with curriculums co-developed by experts, benefiting thousands.
Everest Cuisine also mentors culinary talent worldwide seeking sustainable tourism and food sovereignty skills through month-long residencies in their kitchens. Aspiring social entrepreneurs, provide an immersive cultural apprenticeship paired with business best practices training to launch impactful ventures back home.
Past residents hailed from regions as diverse as Nepal, Taiwan, Mexico, and Kenya to name a few.
For Everest Cuisine’s 15th anniversary this year, they launched a milestone Global Visitors Program. This invites 50 changemakers worldwide to experience Nepal through specially curated itineraries across sectors including food, craft, and community development.
Interactive workshops are led by local experts supporting fair trade and organic farming. With alumni staying connected through an engaged network, it seeds meaningful global collaborations with lasting ripple effects.
By empowering those passionate about using culinary diplomacy for social good through mentorship, Everest Cuisine ensures their vision of building bridges transcends physical borders. Their dedication inspires others worldwide to preserve heritage through today’s shared plate, as tomorrow’s global citizens are nourished on more than just flavors but empathy. May such well-seasoned efforts take flavors far and make each palate a passport to understanding across our diverse, yet interconnected world.