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

As featured in Conde Nast

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

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Contact us

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.

Website

Inclusions and Price

3 nights stay in a luxurious suite at Glenburn Tea Estate. 1 night stay at the Mayfair Resort 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).

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