Food
Naga Chef
The festival's cooking competition — Season 12 ran during the 2025 edition.
What it is
Naga Chef is the culinary competition held during the festival. Season 12 appeared on the official 2025 programme at 9:00 AM on 2, 7 and 9 December.
Why it matters
Naga cooking is regional, seasonal and fiercely tribe-specific — smoked pork, axone, bamboo shoot, raja mircha, foraged greens. Naga Chef is the clearest single window into that range in one sitting.
Where it takes place
Kisama Heritage Village.
Getting there: see how to reach Kisama and Kohima, and the Kisama Heritage Village venue guide.
Who should attend
Food travellers, and anyone who wants to understand what they are eating at the morung stalls afterwards.
Before you travel, check the ILP & PAP permit requirements and budget guidance.
Programme days (2025 archive)
In the official Hornbill Festival 2025 programme, this event appeared on:
- Day 2, 2 December 2025 — 9:00 AM Naga Chef Season 12
- Day 7, 7 December 2025 — 9:00 AM Naga Chef Season 12
- Day 9, 9 December 2025 — 9:00 AM Naga Chef Season 12
These are archived 2025 timings. The 2026 programme will be published separately once released by the Government of Nagaland.
Gallery
Frequently Asked Questions
Can visitors taste the dishes?
It is a competition format; tasting is generally limited to judges. For eating, head to the tribal morung kitchens across the arena.
What time does Naga Chef start?
9:00 AM on its scheduled days in the official 2025 programme.