Renowned Nepali chef Tanka Sapkota has launched a new international campaign titled “Journey to Nepal” to promote Nepali food, culture, traditions, and tourism among the Portuguese community and the wider international audience.
The campaign was officially launched at Chef Sapkota’s Nepali restaurant “Casa Nepalesa” in Lisbon on the occasion of completing 30 years of his stay in Portugal. Through the initiative, Chef Sapkota plans to introduce Nepal’s unique culinary traditions, cultural heritage, and natural beauty to people in Europe while simultaneously supporting social causes through charity programmes.
Campaign Combines Food, Culture, and Social Service
As part of the “Journey to Nepal” campaign, Chef Sapkota has started organizing special charity dinners to raise support for helpless and orphaned children in both Nepal and Portugal. The annual dinner programme will feature authentic Nepali cuisine, cultural performances, music, dance, and visual presentations highlighting Nepal’s landscapes and traditions. Speaking during the launch event, Chef Sapkota described the initiative as a “cultural journey” aimed at helping Portuguese people experience Nepal beyond tourism brochures.
“The objective of this campaign is to familiarize the Portuguese community with Nepal’s culture, traditions, natural beauty, and food while also promoting Nepal as a tourism destination,” Chef Sapkota said. “We are trying to create an experience where people can feel the warmth, hospitality, and spirit of Nepal through cuisine, music, and cultural performances.” According to him, the campaign combines Nepali flavors, traditional hospitality, music, dance, and storytelling to give participants a closer understanding of the Himalayan nation.
Traditional Nepali Cuisine Takes Center Stage
The charity dinner menu includes a variety of traditional Nepali dishes such as dal bhat, momo, gundruk, vegetable samosa, bamboo shoot, and black-eyed bean curry, as well as special chicken dishes, goat meat, and other authentic delicacies from Nepal. Chef Sapkota stated that many ingredients are brought directly from Nepal, particularly from his hometown, Baglung. At the same time, some local Portuguese ingredients are also blended to create authentic yet adaptable Nepali flavors.
Participants attending the dinners are also introduced to the cultural and historical significance of Nepali cuisine, including the traditions associated with food, hospitality, and family life in Nepal. According to Chef Sapkota, Portuguese guests have shown deep interest in learning about Nepali cooking styles, ingredients, cultural traditions, and the stories connected with various dishes.
Nepali Ambassador Praises Initiative
Prakash Mani Poudel also attended one of the charity dinners and praised the initiative for contributing to Nepal’s international image and tourism promotion. Ambassador Poudel said programmes like “Journey to Nepal” play an important role in introducing Nepali culture, cuisine, and tourism potential to international communities.
“Such social and cultural campaigns help create a positive image of Nepal and Nepali people among the Portuguese community,” he said. “These initiatives significantly contribute to promoting Nepali food, culture, and tourism internationally.”
Cultural Performances Highlight Nepal’s Heritage
The event also featured performances by Nepali artists dressed in traditional attire, including singers and performers such as Durga Thapa and Arjun Sonam, who presented cultural dances and musical performances reflecting Nepal’s rich heritage. Visual displays showcasing Nepal’s Himalayan landscapes, temples, villages, and traditions were also included as part of the programme to provide participants with a complete cultural experience.
Sapkota said the campaign aims to present Nepal not only as a destination for trekking and mountains but also as a country rich in culture, hospitality, traditions, and cuisine. “Nepal is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. Our culture, nature, and food have unique identities,” he said. “I want people in Portugal to understand Nepal closely and hopefully inspire more Portuguese tourists to visit Nepal.”
Charity Funds to Support Children in Nepal and Portugal
According to Sapkota, the charity dinner programme will continue throughout the year and will be organized on the first day of every month. The funds raised from the campaign will be donated to SOS Children’s Villages Nepal and SOS Children’s Villages Portugal to support vulnerable children.
Sapkota, who moved to Portugal in 1996 in search of opportunities, now operates four restaurants in Lisbon, three Italian restaurants and one Nepali restaurant. Over the years, he has received numerous awards and recognitions for his excellence in culinary arts.
He had also earned widespread appreciation during the COVID-19 pandemic after launching a free food campaign in Lisbon that provided meals for thousands of low-income residents and people who lost jobs during the crisis.
