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 James and Luke headed way out west, to Pinner, to visit a new Sri Lankan restaurant called Yako. Following a tour of the Grade II listed building in which they have recently set up shop, they sat down to a colossal meal and to hear the story of Yako’s founder, Darshana Wathadura, A.K.A Dash.
**Introduction** (0:00 – 3:39)
(Starter)
-Luke outlines the significance of the Yako symbol, the restaurant’s namesake.
**Interview** (3:40 – 23:41)
(Main)
-Darshana recounts the difficulties he had with settling in the UK. He also details the importance of authenticity in the success and potential breakout of the restaurant.
**Post interview discussion** (23:42 – 28:44)
(Dessert)
Luke and James discuss the menu items and how 'authentic' they are.
**Closing Remarks and acknowledgments** (28:44 -29:46)
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.
Restaurant location: Yako 6 St Anns Road, Harrow HA1 1LG England
Menu dishes eaten:
Ceylon Chinese-Style chicken and sweetcorn soup
Southern Style Chicken Curry
Prawn Curry
Jackfruit Curry
Fish Curry
Seeni Sambal
Poppadoms
Hoppers ?
Pol Sambol
Gotu Kola
Kottu Roti
Menu: https://restaurantguru.com/Yako-Harrow/menu
To see images for this episode, click here.
Literature mentioned:
Daele, W. V. 2013. Igniting food assemblages in Sri Lanka: Ritual cooking to regenerate the world and interrelations, Contributions to Indian Sociology, 47(1), 33-60
Rival, L. 1990. The Social Life of Trees, Anthropological Perspectives on Tree Symbolism, Routledge
Tanaka, M. 1997. Patrons, Devotees and Goddesses: Ritual and Power Among the Tamil Fishermen of Sri Lanka, Delhi
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:
Lara de Soyza
Darshana Wathadura
For more information, please visit our website: https://themigrationmenu.com/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.