Journey from South Asia to West London through food as we explore migration, globalisation, entrepreneurship, and cultural heritage.
In the series, Prof James Staples and Dr Luke Heslop, anthropologists from Brunel University London, talk to restaurateurs and others about what food from their homeland means to them and why. They explore the rich array of culinary traditions that have made their way from South Asia and been made anew in West London, using food as an entry point to wider discussions.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Journey from South Asia to West London through food as we explore migration, globalisation, entrepreneurship, and cultural heritage.
In the series, Prof James Staples and Dr Luke Heslop, anthropologists from Brunel University London, talk to restaurateurs and others about what food from their homeland means to them and why. They explore the rich array of culinary traditions that have made their way from South Asia and been made anew in West London, using food as an entry point to wider discussions.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week the food came to James and Luke, from Alaisha Kaishyap, owner of the tiffin delivery brand, The London Food Company. An example of the growing band of home cooks catering to hungry international students and others missing the food of home, they are also joined by a group of PhD students to reflect on their own food ways.
**Introduction** (0:00 – 6:24)
(Starter)
-James and Luke introduce Aalisha Kaishyap, who started the London Food Company and is also Brunel Alumni. They outline the significance of the “Dabbawala” and caste.
**Interview** (6:25 – 28:27)
(Main)
-James and Luke are joined by some Brunel Students, as well as Devanshi Chanchani. They discuss similarities between their respective South Asian foods.
**Post interview discussion** (28:28 – 32:04)
(Dessert)
-James and Luke discuss the rise of home cooks and entrepreneurship, they locate it within gender and authenticity.
**Closing Remarks and acknowledgments** (32:05 – 32:37)
The Migration Menu has been brought to you by James Staples and Luke Heslop, with help from Tina Boulton, Esther Opoku Debra and Vimal Dalal. If you have any questions or comments for us, send them in and we will address them in a future show, you can get in touch at info@themigrationmenu.com. Or on ‘X’ - formerly Twitter: @migration_menu.
Menu dishes eaten:
Szechuan Chicken
Karahi Chicken with Jeera Rice
Rogan Josh
Pav Bhaji
To see images for this episode, click here.
Literature mentioned:
Pathak, G. S. 2010. Delivering the Nation: The Dabbawalas of Mumbai, South Asia: Journal of South Asian Studies, 33(2), 235-257
Staples, J. 2016. Food, Commensality and Caste in South Asia, Klein, JA. & Watson, JL. The Handbook of Food and Anthropology. Bloomsbury, 74-93.
Sucharita, K. 2023. Home Chefs: Indian Households Produce for the Global Creator Economy
For a list of academic literature on these topics and more, please see the list of extended bibliography on the references page or click here.
Guest speakers:
Aalisha Kaishyap
Namarata Harish
For more information, please visit our website: https://themigrationmenu.com/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.