My Grandmother’s Kitchen

MY ACHI’S KITCHEN WAS THE CENTRE OF OUR FAMILY’S UNIVERSE. IN IT, THERE WERE LOVE MATCHES, FIGHTS, DRUNKEN UNCLES, WEDDINGS, SPECIAL FULL MOON RITUALS, WONDERFUL FOOD AND THE TRAVELLING CHEFS WHO WOULD ARRIVE IN BULLOCK CARTS WITH THEIR MASSIVE POTS AND COOK FOR HUNDREDS. I FEEL VERY LUCKY TO HAVE BEEN GIVEN SOME OF THE RECIPES THAT WERE NURTURED THERE.

My childhood memories are flooded with recollections of the time, love and joy that went into the preparation of any meal from that kitchen. In fact, when I was quite young, Achi had a stool made for me so I could spend all my time in the kitchen with the women; I think that is how my understanding of passion for food was fostered.