Debasish Patanaik

Debasish Patanaik, fondly known as Deboo Patnaik, is a hotelier and entrepreneur widely celebrated for championing Odia cuisine. With a vision to place Odisha’s flavours firmly on India’s gastronomic map, he founded the iconic Dalma restaurant chain in 2001. What began as a modest outlet in Bhubaneswar has grown into a nationally recognized brand, showcasing the depth and diversity of Odisha’s culinary heritage.

An alumnus of BJB College and XIM Bhubaneswar, Deboo is equally passionate about nurturing entrepreneurship. As one of Odisha’s leading angel investors, he has played a pioneering role in fostering startups and strengthening the state’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Deboo is also an author and chronicler of his city’s heritage. His book, BBI: Bhubaneswar Completes Seventy-Five Years, stands as a landmark work documenting the capital city’s journey—its history, transformation, and cultural evolution. With his multifaceted contributions to cuisine, entrepreneurship, and heritage, Deboo Patnaik continues to inspire a new generation of creators and changemakers in Odisha and beyond.