AeroCity Hosts Bihar’s Culinary Heritage Through Chef Rachna Prasad’s Patliputra Festival

Food Exchange at Novotel New Delhi Aerocity has unveiled a special dining event titled ‘An Ode to Patliputra’, offering Delhi diners a rare chance to experience the flavours of Bihar in their most authentic form. The festival runs from 21 to 30 November 2025, transforming dinners and Sunday brunches into a celebration of one of India’s oldest culinary cultures.

Championing Bihar’s Food Traditions

The festival is led by Chef Rachna Prasad, widely admired as Ek Ladki Bihari, whose work has consistently brought regional dishes of Bihar into the national spotlight. Born in Patna and connected deeply to Gaya’s culinary traditions, she has built her reputation by thoughtfully reintroducing heritage recipes through professional kitchens and her own ventures.

Her presence at the festival ensures that the dishes highlight not just technique, but also the stories, memories, and cultural nuances that define the region’s food.

A Line-Up Inspired by Bihar’s Heartland

Rather than recreating restaurant-style versions, the menu focuses on dishes that represent everyday comfort, festive indulgence, and rural craftsmanship. Guests can expect preparations such as:

• Traditional rice–lentil fritters

• Clay-pot smoked mutton from the Champaran region

• Roasted wheat flour stuffed dumplings served with spiced vegetables

• Country-style chicken slow-cooked with rustic spices

• Pumpkin, drumstick, and seasonal vegetable dishes made the way families cook at home

• And a range of classic sweets associated with Bihar’s festivals and rituals

Each item showcases the defining elements of Bihari cooking — mustard oil, slow roasting, minimalistic spice blends, and an unmistakable earthiness.

A Platform for Regional Narratives

For Novotel Aerocity, the festival is part of an ongoing effort to highlight India’s diverse culinary landscapes. The hotel’s leadership emphasises that regional food tells powerful stories — of migration, agriculture, community, and memory — and events like these allow diners to appreciate cuisines beyond the mainstream.

A Warm, Story-Led Culinary Experience

Instead of treating the event as a themed promotion, the team has shaped it as an immersive journey into Bihar’s food culture. The ambience, menu design, and storytelling bring together Chef Rachna’s insights and the culinary team’s modern approach, creating a dining experience that honours tradition while embracing contemporary presentation.

Event Snapshot

Festival: An Ode to Patliputra
Dates: 21–30 November 2025
Venue: Food Exchange, Novotel New Delhi Aerocity
Available During: Dinners & Sunday Brunches