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
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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
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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
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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
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Showcase your own cuisine
Option of impromptu cooking sessions to showcase your cuisine, ingredients from your region, or your signature dishes
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Learn Local Culinary Traditions & Techniques
Fermentation, Pickling, Drying, Cheesemaking, Wine Making, Sustainable practices
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Dining Experiences
Get a heady mix of Nepali, Tibetan, Bhutanese, Chinese, Bengali and Colonial cuisines at homes, restaurants and elegant dining rooms
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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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EXPERIENCES

BBQ Campsite by River Rungeet

Breakfast in the mountains

Mountain view rooms

Mountain view bungalow

Luxurious suites

Pounding spices

Fermentation masterclass

Fermentation masterclass

Making pickles

Local cheesemakers

Local Chefs

Campfire grilling

Riverside picnic

Foraging in the hills

Foraging in the forest

Relaxing by the river

Cooking with fellow chefs

Cooking with fellow chefs

Impromptu prep stations

Tasting with fellow chefs

Mountain spices

Farmers Market

Farmers market

Local purveyors

Food glorious food

Food glorious food

Local brew - Tongba

Tea factory tour

Tea picking

Evening bonding sessions


Bamboo Shoot
Ningro (Fiddlehead Fern )

Bicchu Buti / Sisnu ( Stinging Nettle )
Anda Mushrooms
Iskos Ko Munda (Chayote)
Boda Mushroom
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
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Husna Tara Prakash
Owner, Glenburn Tea Estate @glenburnteaestate
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Chef Shaun Kenworthy
Chef Mentor, Glenburn Penthouse, @chefshaunkenworthy
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Gormei
Culinary Experience Curators @gormeihk
Contact us at +91 7044800150 or argha@gormeitravel.com and katherine@gormeitravel.com
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June 20-24, 2025. Glenburn Tea Estate Darjeeling & Kalimpong
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argha@gormeitravel.com
+91 7044800150