Culinary Heritage and History:
"The Mystic Kitchens of Nepal"
Bikram Vaidya, Chef/ Author
6 September, 2025
9:30 - 11:00am
Nepali food is deeply linked to the land and reflects how people, nature, and tradition work together.  "The Mystic Kitchens of Nepal” is a tribute to the diverse cultural influences that have shaped Nepal's culinary heritage into a harmonious and mystical cuisine.  Covering ancient Ayurvedic principles to the influence of migration, the author has created a travel narrative and comprehensive cookbook based on over 15 years of research, travel, and trekking through Nepal.  Author Bikram Vaidya not only traversed the country, but also lived with local communities, documenting their oral stories and culinary traditions. Join First Saturday PDX and Northwest China Council as Chef Bikram Vaidya explores how Nepali food connects to history, geography, culture, migration, and sustainability - from the Himalayas to the Tarai, and from the East to the West.​
"Our cuisine reflects how people from India, China, Burma, and Tibet once came together to create a harmonious blend, forming a truly mystic cuisine."
​- Chef Bikram Vaidya
About our speaker:
Bikram Vaidya is a chef, educator, and author of "The Mystic Kitchens of Nepal." He is a native from Kathmandu, descendant from generations of royal physicians in a family with deep roots in Ayurveda and Nepali food traditions who were the official healers for the royal family of Nepal.  Chef Vaidya has taught culinary arts for over 20 years including at Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts (Western Culinary Institute) and the Oregon Culinary Institute.  His book has recently been nominated for the prestigious Gourmand International Cookbook Award! His mission is to preserve and share Nepal's rich culinary heritage as well as the healing power of food, with the world.
Check-in begins promptly at 9:15am
​Please meet at the SOUTH SIDE entrance doors
(north side doors are to the Physics side of the building)

​**This is an on-site presentation. 
Reed College, Biology Building, B19 Auditorium (lower level)
3203 SE Woodstock Blvd, Portland, OR 97202

The large East Parking Lot (free) is conveniently located nearby to the Biology Building, adjacent to the neighboring ETC (Educational Technology Center), see campus map here

Public transportation is available, plan your TriMet trip HERE.  (The #19 bus stops right on SE Woodstock East Parking entrance to the campus.

​We recommend that attendees be vaccinated and boosted, and follow CDC guidelines regarding masking.
For those interested in continuing the conversation, there will be a casual no host lunch family style with the speaker at a Nepali restaurant afterwards.   We are now at full capacity for lunch and are no longer accepting participants for this. You are still welcome to join us for the illustrated talk.
Our program series is supported by Reed College, Northwest China Council, Lan Su Chinese Garden, PSU's IAS, and Portland Chinatown Museum.   ​
​All our programs are free and open to the public.   ​