Food & Story
25 - 29 Nov, 2026
Capitol Village, Coorg
Food & Story Retreat
The Mountain Retreat welcomes you to a 5-day retreat, set against the plantations and wilderness of Coorg — a place to step back and rediscover your story with all your senses. In partnership with The Drunken Pig, we've created something new: an experience where food, Kintsugi, and storytelling come together — a hero's journey told together through taste, touch, and story.
Day 1 — Arrival
Settle in, meet your fellow travellers, and unwind with a story-inspired film night to set the tone for the journey ahead.
Day 2 — Story & Kintsugi
Real conversations begin, as storytelling blends with hands-on Kintsugi, art, and poetry — mending pottery as you mend your narrative.
Day 3 — Taste of the Hills
From reflection to the senses — explore Coorg's cuisine and ingredients, noticing the quiet transformation within, as we continue mending our stories with gold.
Day 4 — The Feast
Food preparation, story presentation, and a community feast — where everything you've mended and made comes together at one table.
Day 5 — Departure
Take the renewed path. Write your next chapter. Departures after breakfast.
The Setting
Madikeri is one of the main towns in Coorg and is personally considered its capital by the locals. It is small and quaint, although extremely populated, with hill-side views and its location at a height, Madikeri is a picturesque hill town bustling with local life.
The Stay
Capitol Village is a ten minute drive from Madikeri town towards Chettalli Road and set inside the estate of Anand Devaiah. The estate is dense with coffee plantation, pepper vines climbing silver oak trees and plenty of fruit bearing flora. With a boutique resort feel, Capitol overlooks a water body and a fringe of green all around. The resort is popular among locals to hold functions and events, therefore we will make use of the entire space and beautiful nooks to hold the workshop. Bedrooms are spacious and available on twin sharing only.
Fees
₹33,500/- (4 nights / 5 days)
Includes twin-sharing accommodation, meals, workshop materials, program, gift basket, and feast by The Drunken Pig team. (Transport to and from the venue are not included.) Shared transportation from Bangalore can be arranged on request.
Facilitators
Sitara Cariappa
Born in Virajpet, Coorg, Sitara Cariappa is an independent writer, researcher and storyteller of Coorg (Kodava) food and culture. Her blog @thedrunkenpig_ reflects her life and stories with her grandmother, cooking heirloom recipes and documenting traditional or forgotten ways of the Kodava tribe. In her spare time, she advises on and leads immersive travel experiences in Coorg that include cooking experiences, or unwinds on her estates in South Coorg. Her website offers services in the areas of editorial and writing, content creation and Kodava food led workshops.
Mercy Kurian
A Bangalore-based artist, igniting imagination through painting, vocals and music. Teaching art fuels her soul.
Raja Bunga
Raja believes stories have the power to help us understand and transform ourselves, our communities, and our organizations. A product designer and writer by craft, he founded Kintsugi - Story Experience, a creative and reflective workshop inspired by the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold — built on the belief that our most honest stories are a journey from brokenness to beauty. He lives in Bangalore with his family.
Apply
Confirm your spot, by making a payment to:
Name: ART FOR CHANGE FOUNDATION
Acc No: 552010100098856
Bank: Axis bank, Hauz Khas branch, New Delhi.
IFSC: UTIB0000552
Payments: You have the flexibility to pay in two instalments: an initial 50% deposit upfront, followed by the remaining 50% due one month before the retreat.
Cancellation: Amount non-refundable if cancellation occurs less than 15 days before the retreat begins.
The Mountain Retreat
In partnerhip with Art For Change
Mobile: 7384954255
hello(at)mountainretreat.in
© The Mountain Retreat