From Patna to Hyderabad, Magadh Festival celebrates Bihari cuisine
Hyderabad Marriott Hotel & Convention Centre will host the Magadh Festival from May 1 to 10, 2025 featuring chef Rachna Prasad’s curated Bihari menu, showcasing authentic regional dishes, traditional beverages and desserts in a rotating culinary experience
Hyderabad: Hyderabad Marriott Hotel & Convention Centre is set to spotlight the rich culinary heritage of Bihar with the Magadh Festival, scheduled from May 1 to 10, 2025. Curated by acclaimed chef Rachna Prasad, the festival will feature a five-day rotating set menu, with each day offering a distinct showcase of traditional Bihari cuisine.
Rooted in authenticity, the festival promises a sensory journey through Bihar’s riversides, farmlands, bustling bazaars and serene ghats. Each meal begins with traditional beverages such as sattu ka sharbat, bael ka sharbat or maatha, setting the tone for an immersive dining experience.
The menu goes beyond familiar favourites, presenting iconic dishes like litti chokha, charcoal-baked sattu dumplings paired with smoky roasted brinjal, tomato and garlic. Signature highlights include chulha murgi and Champaran mutton, slow-cooked with mustard oil and whole spices. Guests can also explore regional delicacies such as lahsuni chulha bater, tengra bachuaa fish fry, dal pitha, boot besani and sarsowali machchali. These are complemented by traditional breads including sattu paratha, saag roti, missi roti and dushka, a deep-fried preparation made from rice and lentil batter.
The experience concludes with desserts such as malpua with rabdi, makhana kheer and bandh gobi kheer, offering a sweet reflection of Bihar’s culinary traditions.
Chef Prasad, who hails from Patna, brings both personal insight and professional expertise to the festival. A champion of regional Indian cuisines, she has received accolades including the Best Asian Cuisine Award by Living Foodz, along with recognitions from Godrej, UpperCrust and The Times Food Guide. Through the Magadh Festival, she aims to challenge stereotypes and highlight the ingenuity of Bihari cuisine, where every ingredient is used thoughtfully and sustainably.