In this episode of Setting The Table: The Chefs of Best Fest, Tay Westbury sits down with Chef Diwesh Bhattarai of Saffron Urban Indian Kitchen for a conversation about migration, memory, hospitality, and the flavors that connect Nepal, India, and Omaha.

Born in Nepal and raised around home-cooked meals filled with curry, rice, chutneys, and celebration, Chef Diwesh shares how food became tied to family, culture, and community from an early age. After moving to Omaha more than 20 years ago, he found himself longing for the flavors of home — eventually teaching himself to recreate the dishes his mother and grandmother made while discovering a new culinary identity in America.

The episode explores his path from studying computer science to enrolling in culinary school, learning classical techniques, and blending them with the deeply rooted food traditions of Nepal and India. Chef Diwesh reflects on balancing spice and flavor, building a restaurant centered around hospitality, and why creating an unforgettable guest experience matters just as much as the food itself.

Warm, thoughtful, and deeply passionate, this conversation dives into the emotional side of cooking, the discipline of the kitchen, and the belief that true hospitality comes from the heart. Whether discussing goat curry from Nepalese festivals, the hustle of restaurant life, or the importance of making guests feel cared for, Chef Diwesh offers a powerful reminder that food is ultimately about connection.