Reflections: Q&A with James and Luke

This week we look back on the series, respond to questions and comments from our listeners, chat with Geeta Ludhra about Southall, and look forward to series 2.

We also hear from Dr, Geeta Ludhra, Senior Lecturer in Education at Brunel University London, as she reflects on her visits to Southall as a child and her grandmother’s Jalebi dipped in milk. 

**Introduction** (0:00 – 2:49) 

(Starter) 

-Luke and James reflect on their podcast journey and the taste for this episode

**Questions and Answers** (2:50 – 28:27) 

(Main) 

-James and Luke answer questions related to the podcast, from their favourite dishes to gender division and decolonisation.

- Geetha shares her reflections on visits to Southall (18:55 – 24:13)

**Technical barriers and last reflections** (31:40 – 37:22) 

(Dessert) 

-James and Luke discuss the learning curve of producing a podcast and some challenges they faced with the technology.

**Closing Remarks and Acknowledgments** (37:23 – 39:10) 

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.   

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.  

People

Dr. Geeta Ludhra

Website: https://www.brunel.ac.uk/people/geeta-ludhra

Anneeka Ludhra –

Website: https://anniradhika.wordpress.com/

Book https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dadimas-Celebrating-Grandmothers-Through-Cooking/dp/190799825X

For more information, please visit our website: https://themigrationmenu.com/

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

Devanshi Chanchani

Namarata Harish

Bandana Adhikary

Udita Bose

Ahrabie Kirubasuthan

For more information, please visit our website: https://themigrationmenu.com/

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.