The Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Conrad K. Sangma, today, inaugurated the third edition of Culinary Cascade 2026 at Ward’s Lake. The two-day festival, themed “Crafted for All 5 Senses,” is being held on March 27–28, 2026, and is organized by the Department of Tourism, Government of Meghalaya, in partnership with Meghalayan Age Ltd., MyMeG, and the Chief Minister’s Meghalaya Grassroots Music Program. In his address, the Chief Minister congratulated the Tourism Department for organizing the festival.
He said, “Over the past three years, this festival has evolved beautifully, creating multiple opportunities for our chefs, various stakeholders, and most importantly, the youth of our wonderful state.” He highlighted the richness of Meghalaya’s cultural and natural assets, adding, “Our state has so much to offer—its culture, music, cuisine, people, natural landscapes, and scenic beauty. The challenge is to bring all these elements together, providing a platform that can shape them into something extraordinary.” Elaborating on the state’s approach to festivals, he noted, “We are not doing new things; we are doing things differently. Many of these activities have existed in the past, but we have refined them, made them better, and ensured consistency.
For the past eight years, Meghalaya has followed a clear tourism strategy: to showcase the best of our people, share it with the world, structure it meaningfully, and ensure continuity.” Citing recent events, the Chief Minister said, “Just this afternoon, I inaugurated the first Indian Sailing League here in Umiam, with 182 sailors from eight countries and 14 teams participating—making it one of the largest sailing leagues in India. Only a few days ago, we inaugurated the first Shillong International Film Festival, bringing filmmakers and artists from across the country. The British international band Def Leppard performed here recently, and tonight, Russell Peters will entertain audiences in Shillong.”