A Mithila Thali by Santosh Shah

The winner of ‘MasterChef: The Professionals Rematch’ has opened a restaurant in Janakpur that serves an elaborate array of local dishes.

Upon turning slightly to the north from Janakpur’s Ramnanda Dwar, one feels like they have entered a Mithila art gallery with all the beautiful paintings that deck the walls. Spicy and appetising ‘achars’ are stored in four clay mugs in the room. The space is a good representation of many Mithila houses in the country. A hay mat covers the floor. This is the setting of chef Santosh Shah’s newly opened restaurant, Mithila Thali.