Debasish Patanaik, fondly known as Deboo Patanaik, is a hotelier and entrepreneur, widely recognized for championing Odia cuisine. With a vision to place the cuisine of Odisha on India’s gastronomic map, he founded the iconic Dalma chain of restaurants in 2001. From a modest outlet in Bhubaneswar, Dalma grew into a celebrated brand with multiple outlets across the country, showcasing the richness of Odisha’s culinary heritage. An alumnus of BJB College and XIM, Bhubaneswar, Deboo is equally passionate about entrepreneurship. As one of Odisha’s leading angel investors, he has played a pioneering role in fostering start-ups and building the state’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. He is also the author of BBI: Bhubaneswar Completes Seventy Five Years, a landmark book chronicling the city’s evolution.