India @ 2047 Summit: Chef Gary Mehigan Calls for Revival of Home Cooking Amid Rising Food Tech

Renowned chef Gary Mehigan delivered a powerful and heartfelt address at the India @2047 Summit, raising urgent questions about the future of food, climate change, and the erosion of culinary culture. Mehigan reflected on alarming global trends, such as the disappearance of kitchens in urban homes and the rise of dark kitchens and food delivery apps, which he sees as a break in the human tradition of bonding over meals. He expressed deep concern over children growing up detached from food preparation, dependent on screens during meals, and unaware of where their food comes from. Drawing on personal experiences as a parent, Mehigan emphasized the value of shared meals and home-cooked food as central to human connection and wellbeing. Climate change, he noted, is already transforming agriculture — vineyards are becoming avocado farms, and traditional crops like tea and cardamom are under threat. He warned about the dangers of monoculture farming and highlighted the need to revive resilient ancient grains like millets. On plastics and microplastics, Mehigan stressed the environmental toll of modern food packaging and called for urgent change in consumer behavior and corporate responsibility. He ended with optimism, praising India’s potential to lead the global food movement with its rich traditions and growing awareness. Would you like this article formatted for a blog or print feature?

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