Explore Palaash- a farm to - table dining gem led by Chef Amninder Sandhu, blending open-fire cooking, sustainability, and women's empowerment.
Palaash Restaurant: A Farm-to-Table Forest Dining Experience Near Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary, MaharashtraIn the heart of Gondwakadi near Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary, Maharashtra, lies a gem I recently discovered through The Better India: Palaash—a farm-to-table, forest-kissed restaurant that’s rewriting the rules of sustainable dining in India.
Though I haven’t visited it yet, reading about Palaash felt like uncovering a secret meant to be shared. There are moments when we read something that instantly resonates with our soul. For me, discovering Palaash through The Better India was one such moment. No, I haven’t been there but something about this place nestled in the forests felt oddly personal. Like it was calling out to the food dreamer in me.
Palaash isn’t your usual resort restaurant. It’s a slow-burning, fire-cooked, soul-fed kind of place—crafted by the brilliant Chef Amninder Sandhu, known for reviving ancient Indian culinary wisdom. Located inside the Tipai Wildlife Luxuries resort, this restaurant runs entirely without gas or electricity. Every dish is slow-cooked using open-fire methods—chulhas, sandpits, and tandoors. Just imagine: sandpit grilling, woodfire simmering, tandoor-roasted flavors, and chulha-smoked warmth. It’s food with a pulse. Real, raw, rooted. Palaash is designed for those who crave authenticity. Chef Amninder Sandhu, has built more than a restaurant—she has sparked a movement.
Empowering Rural Women with Fire & Purpose
What deeply inspired me is that Palaash is run by a team of local women. Once working in support roles at the resort, they are now skilled fire-chefs trained, mentored and empowered by Chef Sandhu herself. With their roots in the region and traditional know-how, these women infuse every dish with soul and strength. They now cook for guests from around the world, . It’s more than a kitchen. It’s a quiet revolution, served plate by plate.
I don’t know them personally, but I felt proud reading their story. As a woman who is also trying to build her own journey—one blog, one reel, one prayer at a time—it gave me a sense of belonging. That we’re all connected, through the act of feeding, creating, and transforming.
A Menu Rooted in the Soil- Flavors That Tell Stories
Palaash’s food philosophy is simple: fresh, seasonal, local. Ingredients come from nearby organic farms and Tipai’s own kitchen garden. The dishes, like bamboo-smoked jackfruit curry, saōji bater (quail), and even a fusion dessert like puran poli profiteroles, blend flavors from Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh.
The menu is poetry—rooted in regional ingredients and seasonal magic. And everything is either from their own organic garden or sourced from nearby villages. To me, this isn’t just about food. It’s about preserving culture, celebrating women, and honoring the land that feeds us.
Built using natural materials, the restaurant blends seamlessly with the forest. Seating is intentionally limited, allowing guests to enjoy an intimate meal amidst the sights and sounds of nature. Imagine dining under the stars while listening to the jungle—it’s more than a meal, it’s a soulful retreat.
The setting? Think natural architecture, jungle trails, a slow-burning fire, and stars peeking through the tree canopy. It’s not loud or flashy. It’s intentional. Peaceful. Maybe even spiritual.
And no, I haven’t experienced this yet—but it’s
already on my list. If you ever find yourself craving silence, authenticity,
and food that whispers instead of shouts—this may be your place.
Why I Had to Share This Story
As someone who blogs about food and mindful living,
I often search for places that go beyond taste—and Palaash does just that. I
haven’t been there yet, but thanks to The Better India, I felt like I had to
spotlight it.
I write about food, yes. But I also write about resilience, grace, and the everyday beauty of stories like this. Palaash reminded me that food isn’t just meant to be consumed—it’s meant to nourish who we are and who we hope to become.
So this blog is my little tribute. To the women with chulhas and courage. To chefs who dare to dream beyond the kitchen. And to spaces that bring fire, forest, and femininity into one soulful table.
Palaash isn’t just a
restaurant. It’s a living example of how tradition, sustainability, and
empowerment can be served together—on a banana leaf, perhaps.
Discovered through: The Better India
Picture through Internet and Palaash Restaurant Website.
Instagram-: Palaash: @palaash_tipai
Tipai Wildlife Luxuries: @tipai_wli
Chef Amninder Sandhu: @chefamnindersandhu
Facebook: Wildlife Luxuries: @WLLIndia
Have
you ever come across such inspiring dining stories? Tag me @dipanjananeogi in
Instagram or in Pinterest in @dipsFOODboutique or leave
a comment below. Let’s celebrate spaces that feed not just the body, but also
the spirit.
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