Taj Holiday Village Resort & Spa in association with Goa-based Journalist, Food Critic & Author, Mini Ribeiro, brings a first-of-its-kind Goan culinary pop-up, ‘Homegrown Heritage, showcasing the hidden treasures of Goa’s home kitchens. with three local home chefs – Luisa Fernandes, VinayaKalangutkar and Milagrina Couto from October 2-4, 2026 daily for lunch and dinner at Caravela.
Announcing this JavedDeshmukh, Cluster General Manager, IHCL North Goa and General Manager Taj Holiday Village, said, “Heritage is not merely about preserving what belongs to the past; it is about keeping traditions alive and relevant for generations to come. At Taj Holiday Village Resort & Spa, this belief is deeply embedded in our ethos and finds expression through Paathya, our commitment to preserving the cultural, natural and social heritage of the destinations we call home.
Goa’s culinary heritage is one such living legacy. Much of its richness exists not in cookbooks, but in family kitchens, treasured recipes and the memories passed down around dining tables. Homegrown Heritage gives us an opportunity to bring these lesser-known traditions into the spotlight while celebrating the people who have been their custodians.
Elaborating further, Mini Ribeiro, Curator, said, “I have often discovered that some of the traditional dishes in Goan cuisine never make it to restaurant menus but are cooked in homes. This pop-up is my way of celebrating the gatekeepers of traditional and forgotten recipes who have quietly preserved these flavours for generations. For three days, three home kitchens open their doors and introduce diners to dishes, many of which they may have forgotten.”
While restaurant menus often feature popular Goan dishes, generations of traditional recipes continue to thrive quietly in Goan households. Homegrown Heritage seeks to bridge that gap by introducing diners to authentic home-cooked dishes.
The pop-up will feature dishes, based on recipes, lovingly preserved and prepared by three Goan home chefs, each bringing family traditions, regional influences and heirloom recipes passed down through generations.
This culinary event will showcase recipes from both Hindu and Catholic Goan traditions, offering diners a rare opportunity to explore the depth and diversity of the state’s food culture. Beyond the food, each dish will be accompanied by stories of its origin, significance and the memories associated with it, creating a deeper connection between diners and Goa’s culinary legacy.
While Vinaya Kalangutkar will cook GoanSaraswat treasures, based on her family recipes, Milagrina Couto and Luisa Fernandes will introduce diners to several popular Catholic cuisine, home-style dishes, wedding specials, apart from some crowd favourites, including some of Portuguese origin.
With growing interest in regional cuisines and culinary storytelling, the pop-up offers a timely reminder that some of the most authentic expressions of Goan food are still found around family dining tables rather than in restaurant kitchens.
Event Details
Event: Homegrown Heritage
Date: October 2-4-2026, daily lunch and dinner buffet
Venue:Caravela, Taj Holiday Villa Resort & Spa, Goa
