Baripada, May 29: A young talent from Mayurbhanj has brought laurels to Odisha by winning a national-level nutritious cooking competition. Smruti Sampurna Nayak, daughter of Sarat Nayak and Suprabha Nayak from Arapata village under Gopabandhu Nagar block, emerged winner of the “Meri Poushtik Rasoi Season-8” organised by the Glenmark Foundation.
Smruti earned national recognition by showcasing Odisha’s traditional rural cuisine in a modern and innovative way. The grand finale of the competition was held in Mumbai, where she impressed the judges with her presentation skills, creativity and knowledge of nutritious food. She was awarded a cash prize of Rs 50,000.
In the final round, Smruti presented a unique recipe titled “Forest Blossom Mahua Tart”, prepared using Mahua flowers sourced from the tribal regions of Mayurbhanj. Through modern plating and contemporary presentation, she highlighted the potential of traditional village food to gain recognition at national and international levels.
During her presentation, Smruti explained the nutritional benefits of Mahua flowers, stating that the ingredient contains natural nutrients that help provide energy and may assist in combating malnutrition among children. She also stressed the importance of preparing healthy food using locally available ingredients.
Locals have described her achievement as not only a personal milestone but also a proud moment for Mayurbhanj’s culture, Odisha’s traditional cuisine and rural talent.
