LISBON: With a view to celebrate three decades of arrival in Portugal, Chef Tanka Sapkota has launched a year-long charity campaign to support children in Nepal and Portugal.

The campaign will offer the Portuguese public an authentic journey to Nepal, showcasing the culture and gastronomy of his homeland at the traditional restaurant Casa Nepalesa, in the Portuguese capital.

Over 12 months, on the first Wednesday of each month, Casa Nepalesa will offer a menu that explores the culinary traditions of various regions of Nepal—from the mountains to the plains, inevitably passing through the Himalayas—enhanced by performances of traditional dance and music, creating an authentic and unforgettable experience.

Known for his work in social responsibility,  Sapkota will donate 100% of the proceeds from each dinner to SOS Children’s Villages Portugal (50%) and SOS Children’s Villages Nepal (50%), supporting their work with disadvantaged children.

“This is a very special initiative for me, one that I embrace with great affection. Being able to share my country—its traditions, culture, flavors, and the beautiful landscapes that make Nepal such an extraordinary place—is deeply emotional,” said chef  Sapkota.

“This year marks 30 years since I arrived in Portugal, a country I chose to live in, build my family, and develop projects that go far beyond restaurants. Every establishment and every award I have received reflects my commitment, my desire to grow and evolve both personally and professionally, and above all, to offer the best to each customer.

As a way of thanking the support and generosity I have received in Portugal over the years, I want to share more of my roots so that the Portuguese people can also experience this rich culture,” he added.

In an immersive journey through the Himalayan country, Nepali artists performed last week marking the year-long journey of celebration of Nepali gastronomuy  full of color, aromas, and contagious joy. Throughout the night, a three-stage dinner was served, interspersed with performances.

From starters to desserts, the dishes were based on traditional recipes—some from the chef’s hometown of Damek, in Baglung—and featured ingredients from Nepal combined with Portuguese products.

Intertwining culture, gastronomy, and social responsibility

“This partnership with Casa Nepalesa shows that we all have an important role to play in protecting children. More than a charitable initiative, it is an inspiring example of how culture, gastronomy, and social responsibility can come together to create real impact and transform lives in the service of children”, said  Guida Mendes Bernardo, General Director of SOS Children’s Villages Portugal.

“We warmly welcome this meaningful and visionary cross-border initiative by Casa Nepalesa and SOS Children’s Villages Portugal, which reflects a strong and shared commitment to promoting child care and protection beyond borders.

Child protection knows no geographical boundaries—it is a collective moral responsibility. Initiatives like this demonstrate how solidarity can translate into real and lasting impact for children in vulnerable situations”, added Ganga B. Gurung, National Director of SOS Children’s Villages Nepal.

At Casa Nepalesa, the cuisine is crafted with great care, with no use of pre-prepared spices or artificial colorings, with most spices ground by hand or in-house. Combining the finest Portuguese products with authentic ingredients sourced directly from Nepal—such as sinki (wild mountain spinach) from the chef’s homeland—the “Journey to Nepal” menu showcases traditional recipes with authenticity.

Starters included tarkari ko singada (vegetable samosa) and momo ra bakhra ko maasu ko jhol (delicate wheat dumplings filled with free-range chicken and aromatic spices).

These were followed by a selection of five dishes that brought together ingredients from both countries, such as masaledar bakhra ko masu, prepared with PDO-certified goat from Trás-os-Montes, and bandel chyau ra kurilo, featuring wild boar from Évora.

Desserts included classic khira (traditional Nepali rice pudding), triveni (creamy mango layered over a delicate coconut biscuit crumble), and guliyo paan (fresh betel leaves assembled with coconut, cashew nuts, peanuts, fennel seeds, and crystallised sugar).

To pairing the experience, the selected wines were Vinha Grande 2022 – Douro (white) and Vinha Grande 2021 – Douro (red).

The series of themed dinners at Casa Nepalesa kicked off on May 6 and will run until May 5, 2027, with break during the summer.

Born and brought up in Nepal, Sapkota arrived in Portugal in 1996 after working in Germany and Italy, where he specialized in Italian cuisine. Today, he manages four renowned restaurants in Lisbon: Forno D’Oro, Come Prima, Il Mercato, and Casa Nepalesa.

Recognized internationally, he received the title of “Knight of the White Truffle” from the Order of Alba in 2019, being the only person in Portugal to hold this distinction. Alongside his culinary achievements, Tanka Sapkota has launched or supported numerous social responsibility projects.

During the pandemic, he donated 10% of delivery revenue from his restaurants to the Food Bank and the Nepalese community in Portugal.

At a time when many restaurants struggled to maintain jobs, he also created a mobile wood-fired oven and delivered more than 10,500 pizzas to families in need across Lisbon, with support from the Lisbon City Council.

He was actively involved in supporting communities affected by disasters, including the Pedrógão Grande wildfires, earthquakes in Italy and Nepal, and the cyclone in Mozambique.