This is the story behind the famous term Nalapachakam - the term used in appreciation for a man who is able to cook delicious and tasty food.
King Nala, of the famous Nala Damayanti story, was a great
cook. It is said that he was able to cook delicious and mouthwatering food. But
how was he able to cook such delicacies that made everyone fall in love with
his cooking.
Legend has it that King Nala of Vidarbha, a Surya Vamshi,
used to worship Goddess Hingula. As per Sarala Mahabharata from Odisha, with
the blessings of Goddess Hingula anyone can prepare delicious foods. The king
had the blessings of the Goddess and that is the reason why anything prepared
by the king tasted delicious.
It is said that after getting his food prepared, King Nala
would wave his hand over the food he had prepared. This wave would impart
special taste and flavor to the food.
Even today in some regions a very good cook is referred to
as Nala – thus we have the term Nala Pachakam.