Glenburn Gormei Chefs Retreat

June 20 - June 24, 2025

Kalimpong and Glenburn Tea Estate, Darjeeling, India

CHEFS RETREAT


CULINARY IMMERSION IN THE MOUNTAINS

FOR CHEFS & BY CHEFS

Foraging, discovering, cooking, learning and soaking in the cultures, cuisines and flavours of the hills

A fantastic experience for chefs, learning about the terroir in and around the Darjeeling Himalayan hill region, cooking with fellow chefs, exploring the vibrant produce markets of Kalimpong, foraging for ingredients around the Glenburn tea estate, learning tea cultivation and food fermentation processes and experiencing the region's delicious cuisine firsthand.

We look forward to meeting you all on this incredible journey..”

— Chef Shaun Kenworthy

2025 CHEFS RETREAT PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

  • Foraging in the 1600 acre Glenburn Estate

    Explore the pre-monsoon lush green plantation, hills, and forests teeming with natural bounty, discover local mountain ingredients, herbs, vegetables and fruits

  • A Day in the foodie town of Kalimpong

    Explore organic farmers markets, take a fermentation masterclass, work with a local expert on Himalayan cheeses, pickles, fermented foods, experience local street food and country brews

  • Cooking with fellow Chefs

    Cook with local Chefs in their kitchens, grill meats and fresh fish in a campsite barbecue , do a Grand Cookout with fellow participant chefs

  • Showcase your own cuisine

    Option of impromptu cooking sessions to showcase your cuisine, ingredients from your region, or your signature dishes

  • Learn Local Culinary Traditions & Techniques

    Fermentation, Pickling, Drying, Cheesemaking, Wine Making, Sustainable practices

  • Dining Experiences

    Get a heady mix of Nepali, Tibetan, Bhutanese, Chinese, Bengali and Colonial cuisines at homes, restaurants and elegant dining rooms

  • Darjeeling Tea - the Champagne of Teas

    Take a Tea Plantation and Factory Tour and tea picking with the famous ‘Chaiwala family’, do tea tastings, learn flavour profiles, cook with tea.

  • Luxurious stay

    Your residences at the Glenburn Tea Estate are in the lovingly restored century old Burra Bungalow, home to generations of planters, and in the Water Lily Bungalow perched on the edge of the hill facing Kanchenjunga.

2025 Itinerary at a Glance

  • Arrival at Bagdogra Airport by afternoon. Chauffeured Car Pick Up

    3 hr Drive to the charming town of Kalimpong nestled in the Himalayan foothills; Scene of a quiet food revolution proudly championing local ingredients, traditions and terroir and ranging from coffee to seasonal greens and more.

    Check in to the ITC Fortune Resort or similar.

    Meet & Greet followed by a curated lunch of juicy momos, fing (local glass noodles) salad, etc at Art Cafe, one of the most popular cafes in Kalimpong.

    Fermentation Workshop with local restaurateur & food writer Ishita Rai Dewan - Gundruk, Kinema (fermented soybeans), Pickles, Churpi, Sel Roti.

    Tastings of Kalimpong cheese and other varieties of Himalayan cheese

    Curated Himalayan dinner at Cloud 9 Himalayan Kitchen

  • Visit to Kalimpong Haat and Organic Food Market for farm-grown vegetables, herbs, local produce , homemade pickles and delicious snacks

    Drive to Glenburn Tea Estate (1.5 hours). Check in to your luxury suite

    Al Fresco Lunch under the Old Pomelo tree with local specialities like Perilla Chutney, Stinging Nettle Soup, local pork, country chicken, vegetables

    High Tea at the 110 year old Burra Bungalow, with freshly baked cakes and savouries

    Explore the gardens and the village, relax in the various cozy nooks, enjoy the sunset. Beautiful views of Kanchenjunga on a clear day

    Brainstorming Session and Groupings with fellow Chefs for Monday’s Grand Cookout

    Option of participants chipping in to cook or themed dinner in the elegant Dining Room

  • Tea Plantation and Factory Tour; Premium Darjeeling Tea Tasting Sessions

    Nature Walk down to the river; foraging in the hills and forests on the way - discover mushrooms, wild gooseberry, tamarillos, stinging nettle and more

    BBQ at the campsite by the roaring River Rungeet; cooking with fellow chefs; grilling mountain trout, meats and vegetables on open firewood

    High tea/Evening Snacks

    Planning & Prep for tomorrow’s Grand Cookout

    Tea Themed Dinner by Chef Shaun Kenworthy

  • Tea Picking Experience - try your hand at picking tea leaves

    Discover organic herbs and vegetables in the Glenburn Orchard

    Nepali Lunch at the Glenburn Orchard - cooking on clay stoves with a Nepali family

    Prep & Planning for the evening

    Grand Cookout on the Estate lawns

 EXPERIENCES

Your Stay: Glenburn Tea Estate & Boutique Hotel

A heavenly plantation retreat that lies on a hillock above the banks of the River Rungeet, high in the Himalayas, overlooked by the mighty Kanchenjunga range.

With 1000 acres of private forest, and two rivers running through the estate, it is haven for plants and herbs and natural produce, and wonderful place to stay with sublime views.

Inclusions and Price

3 nights stay in a luxurious suite at Glenburn Tea Estate. 1 night stay at the ITC Fortune Resort or equivalent in Kalimpong. On twin sharing basis.

All meals - breakfast, lunch, high tea, dinner. Alcohol not included

All gastronomic experiences, foraging, tea tours and tastings, chef workshops, masterclasses, riverside barbeque, grand cookout.

Chauffeured transport to and from hotel and venues; two way airport transfers.

Rs 72,000 per person / US$ 850 per person, plus taxes, on twin sharing basis

Getting there

Nearest airport: Bagdogra ( IXB)

Flights from Kolkata ( 50 mins ), Guwahati ( 35 mins ), Delhi ( 2 hours ) , Mumbai ( 2 hours ), Bengaluru (2.5 hours), Chennai (2.5 hours)

You are requested to book your flights to arrive at Bagdogra airport latest by 12 noon on Friday June 20. The program starts with your chauffeured car pick up from Bagdogra airport and drive to Kalimpong (3 hours).

Your Hosts

  • Husna Tara Prakash

    Owner, Glenburn Tea Estate @glenburnteaestate

  • Chef Shaun Kenworthy

    Chef Mentor, Glenburn Penthouse, @chefshaunkenworthy

  • Gormei

    Culinary Experience Curators @gormeihk

 Contact us at +91 7044800150 or argha@gormeitravel.com and katherine@gormeitravel.com

 
  • June 20-24, 2025. Glenburn Tea Estate Darjeeling & Kalimpong

  • argha@gormeitravel.com

    +91 7044800150