On November 18, contestants of the 11th Naga Chef competition attended a masterclass with chefs Aketoli H. Zhimomi and Loni Khing.
Aketoli, the first-ever Naga Chef winner, is renowned as one of FoodSuperstars’ top 30 chefs in India. She has worked at ITC Royal Bengal in Kolkata and collaborated extensively to feature Northeastern and Naga cuisine in the hotel’s 5-star menu. Recognized as one of India’s Most Exciting Chefs by Condé Nast Traveller, Aketoli’s restaurant, Ethnic Table, in Notun Bosti, Dimapur, hosted the contestants for a fun afternoon of learning.
Chef Aketoli shared her expertise on utilizing the variety of local ingredients available in the state and demonstrated innovative ways to incorporate traditional ingredients into modern dishes.
Pastry chef and Naga Bowl Bakery co-founder Loni Khing joined Aketoli, bringing over a decade of experience in confectionery and bakery from renowned establishments like Hyatt Regency, Chennai, and Bombay Canteen. Khing also worked at Dominique Ansel Bakery in New York.
Both chefs conducted interactive sessions, sharing their vast experience to prepare contestants for the cook-off at Urban Haat, Dimapur, starting November 19.