Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham recently hosted renowned chef Harsh Dixit from The Private Chefs Club and culinary expert Kanika Shetty for a three-day visit to Rameswaram. The visit was part of an initiative to empower coastal women engaged in AMMACHI Labs’ sustainable seaweed cultivation project, aimed at enhancing livelihoods through culinary innovation and value-added seaweed-based food products.
Day 1 – Field Visits to Olaikuda and Sambai Villages
The visit commenced with an introduction to Amrita’s seaweed initiative, followed by interactive sessions with women’s self-help groups (SHGs) involved in cultivation and processing. Chef Harsh and his team visited three seaweed farms, including one cultivating sea grapes, to gain insights into on-ground practices and the challenges faced by women in the sector.
Chef Harsh emphasized the importance of teamwork and role specialization across the seaweed value chain—from cultivation to marketing. He also offered practical advice on small-scale kitchen setups, maintaining recipe consistency, and focusing on product quality.
Highlighting future possibilities, he shared plans to organize a Seaweed Awareness Workshop in Mumbai, where leading chefs could raise consumer awareness and provide a platform for the women to showcase and market their seaweed-based products.
Day 2 – Seaweed Exhibition at Amrita Vidyalayam, Ramnad
Women from five coastal villages displayed an impressive variety of seaweed dishes, including biryani, cutlets, pakoras, and halwa. Chef Harsh provided insightful feedback on flavor, texture, and presentation, commending their creativity and dedication.
He expressed enthusiasm for bringing samples of their dishes to Mumbai for further tasting sessions and exploring future collaborations with the culinary community.
Day 3 – Review and Way Forward
The final day featured discussions on refining recipes, maintaining quality standards, and planning future initiatives focused on awareness, training, and commercialization. The visit marked a significant step toward transforming seaweed from a marine resource into a sustainable livelihood opportunity through culinary creativity and innovation.
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham’s Ocean Farming Projects are implemented in partnership with the Transworld Group, GEF Small Grants Programme (Operational Phase 7), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (Government of India), and The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI).
