Bhubaneswar: Celebrity chef Ranveer Brar has been appointed as the brand ambassador for promoting Odia cuisine, in a major initiative by the Odisha government to take the state’s rich culinary heritage to a global audience.

Along with Brar, MasterChef India finalists Anju and Manju, as well as Season 6 winner Abinas Nayak, have also been entrusted with the responsibility of popularising traditional Odia food.

A formal agreement in this regard was signed by the state’s Tourism Department in presence of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi during the ‘Odia Paksha’ celebrations.

Expressing his happiness over the new role, Brar said he felt honoured to be chosen for the responsibility. He emphasised the sacred Mahaprasad of Lord Jagannath and traditional Odia cuisine deserve global recognition.

“I feel extremely honoured. Due to the blessings of Lord Jagannath, I have received this opportunity. Odia food should be promoted across the world,” Brar said.

He also sought support from the people of Odisha, both digitally and physically, to help amplify the reach of the initiative. “I will proudly promote Odia cuisine on global platforms,” he added.

The initiative aims to showcase Odisha’s unique food culture on the world stage, blending traditional flavours with modern outreach strategies.