Hi Again, Ranji. And so much more in your essay than just the food. And agree with one of your Commenters about photo; tells a lot of stories.
I have a friend who does a food blog, but it is very ego-less, and is brief and about the food and she never films herself.
I suspect there are many reasons that people aspire to be Influencers, but one aspect whether conscious or not could be a bit to do with narcissism; sort of being a Movie Star in Their Own Mind. Maybe a bit harsh.
And food wastage ! a big sin from people of my parents generation who had grown up during the Great depression and food rationing of the WW2 era, and many families here han relatives who either died or experienced severe starvation/malnutrition as POW in Japanese concentration - like camps.
And words and mis identification; initially thought Mr Hamburger was being introduced as a person of Burgher heritage(sizeable population emigrated to Australia in 1960s and I went to school and good friends ). And one of my best young friends recently married a man of Burgher descent ( i was MC, in my vintage 1940s coat and tails). And amazing food; a mixture of Vietnamese and Burgher/Sri Lankan.
And the story of how the British shipped off South Asian people as a lowly paid and controllable workforce to many of their colonies in Africa , Asia and the Pacific ( Island of Fiji being a v good case in point (Google it).
And a few friends are part of this narrative and were born in places like Zambia, and South Africa ( those there ironically once Apartheid began, even less rights, a though for a period still British Subjects abd some even held Brit passports.
And was living in the UK at the time of the mass sudden (like get out in 90 days) expulsion of Asians by horrendously brutal dictator Idi Amin in Uganda. He redistibuted their prpoerty, businesses and money.. He did also muder at least 300,000 African Ugandas, and perhaps would have even less qualms of doing so to Asian ones?? Could go on, but will stop. The story of diasporic peoples has been always in my mind for several reasons.
However as you so rightly identify, at least there is the legacy of wonderfull fusion foods !!
The Bunny Chow story intrigues me, as it is a meal my Grandfather made often as where we came from a fresh made loaf of bread was stale dry in a day due to dry extreme temp in summer (like 45 C).
Thanks.
If I am ever in Tooting, I too would choose the Chicken and Prawns
Thanks for your comment and taking the time to read my post. There’s a lot of history, hurt and pain with the diaspora as you have rightly pointed out. These new cuisines arose out of necessity. I just wish some of the influencers noted that when they chowed down their burghers. I have some burgher friends I want to get to know their history more and likewise their food. And if you are ever in Tooting swing by for a plate of stringhoppers!
Hi Ranji, enjoying a late morning tea (an important break in the day when I would work with him; partly as in summer we would breakfast like at 0430, yo spend less time in the heat of the day, but also so he could listen to his fav radio show, called Blue Hills - v long running and maybe longest ever; an Aus radio version of Coronation St if you like). This soap extremely popular , even with Aus male bushies.
I have an over arching interest in diasporic communities, not just because of my "eternal curiosity" (as my most admired mentor labelled me), but it is part of my Irish Catholic heritage and why I live here now. This interest also of great use in my professional life.
I will check out with my friends; they are both v foodie types.
Have found an old link, which I will email to you on your Substack email.
And, you never know, I may end up in Tooting one summer and take you up on the offer of stringhoppers !!
Hi Ranji, and as I got your Like, able see tat part of the intro sentence missing ? a keyboard thing. The Him was my paternal grandfather, who I spent a lot of time with up until my early 20s. He taught me how to cook, and was a surprisingly good baker and amazing whisking strength as massive upper body strength(partly due to his training as a young man in blacksmithing).
If you are interested someday, I can tell you a bit about him and tell you about where our family lived for 4 generations. OK?
Influencers!! 😠I’m pleased you enjoy your food, it looked and sounds amazing. I have just recommended the restaurant to our son who lives in Surbiton. So there you go, without doing what the others did you have influenced…
I messaged him and I noted just before going to bed he had messaged back asking if I was trying to set him up for a date lol. Although I do wish he could find someone to share his time with
Sounds like a lovely restaurant: just a shame not everyone was quite so focused on their food! That first photo is a perfect snapshot of our ever-weirder times.
Good on you! I don't think I would have handled that situation at all! Did they actually enjoy eating and interacting with anyone? Or was it just about content?
I have no idea if people enjoyed the food! People ordered lots of it & so much got wasted. Now I see how places become viral sensations! It’s a crazy world!
Hi Again, Ranji. And so much more in your essay than just the food. And agree with one of your Commenters about photo; tells a lot of stories.
I have a friend who does a food blog, but it is very ego-less, and is brief and about the food and she never films herself.
I suspect there are many reasons that people aspire to be Influencers, but one aspect whether conscious or not could be a bit to do with narcissism; sort of being a Movie Star in Their Own Mind. Maybe a bit harsh.
And food wastage ! a big sin from people of my parents generation who had grown up during the Great depression and food rationing of the WW2 era, and many families here han relatives who either died or experienced severe starvation/malnutrition as POW in Japanese concentration - like camps.
And words and mis identification; initially thought Mr Hamburger was being introduced as a person of Burgher heritage(sizeable population emigrated to Australia in 1960s and I went to school and good friends ). And one of my best young friends recently married a man of Burgher descent ( i was MC, in my vintage 1940s coat and tails). And amazing food; a mixture of Vietnamese and Burgher/Sri Lankan.
And the story of how the British shipped off South Asian people as a lowly paid and controllable workforce to many of their colonies in Africa , Asia and the Pacific ( Island of Fiji being a v good case in point (Google it).
And a few friends are part of this narrative and were born in places like Zambia, and South Africa ( those there ironically once Apartheid began, even less rights, a though for a period still British Subjects abd some even held Brit passports.
And was living in the UK at the time of the mass sudden (like get out in 90 days) expulsion of Asians by horrendously brutal dictator Idi Amin in Uganda. He redistibuted their prpoerty, businesses and money.. He did also muder at least 300,000 African Ugandas, and perhaps would have even less qualms of doing so to Asian ones?? Could go on, but will stop. The story of diasporic peoples has been always in my mind for several reasons.
However as you so rightly identify, at least there is the legacy of wonderfull fusion foods !!
The Bunny Chow story intrigues me, as it is a meal my Grandfather made often as where we came from a fresh made loaf of bread was stale dry in a day due to dry extreme temp in summer (like 45 C).
Thanks.
If I am ever in Tooting, I too would choose the Chicken and Prawns
Thanks for your comment and taking the time to read my post. There’s a lot of history, hurt and pain with the diaspora as you have rightly pointed out. These new cuisines arose out of necessity. I just wish some of the influencers noted that when they chowed down their burghers. I have some burgher friends I want to get to know their history more and likewise their food. And if you are ever in Tooting swing by for a plate of stringhoppers!
Hi Ranji, enjoying a late morning tea (an important break in the day when I would work with him; partly as in summer we would breakfast like at 0430, yo spend less time in the heat of the day, but also so he could listen to his fav radio show, called Blue Hills - v long running and maybe longest ever; an Aus radio version of Coronation St if you like). This soap extremely popular , even with Aus male bushies.
I have an over arching interest in diasporic communities, not just because of my "eternal curiosity" (as my most admired mentor labelled me), but it is part of my Irish Catholic heritage and why I live here now. This interest also of great use in my professional life.
I will check out with my friends; they are both v foodie types.
Have found an old link, which I will email to you on your Substack email.
And, you never know, I may end up in Tooting one summer and take you up on the offer of stringhoppers !!
Hi Ranji, and as I got your Like, able see tat part of the intro sentence missing ? a keyboard thing. The Him was my paternal grandfather, who I spent a lot of time with up until my early 20s. He taught me how to cook, and was a surprisingly good baker and amazing whisking strength as massive upper body strength(partly due to his training as a young man in blacksmithing).
If you are interested someday, I can tell you a bit about him and tell you about where our family lived for 4 generations. OK?
He spends so much time working in his business Scottgreenscapes or looking after his girls, he doesn’t seem to make time for much else
Influencers!! 😠I’m pleased you enjoy your food, it looked and sounds amazing. I have just recommended the restaurant to our son who lives in Surbiton. So there you go, without doing what the others did you have influenced…
Yes! Words work! Thank you so much I hope your son enjoys the food! If he ever wants a good curry Tooting is the place to go!
I messaged him and I noted just before going to bed he had messaged back asking if I was trying to set him up for a date lol. Although I do wish he could find someone to share his time with
Sounds like a lovely restaurant: just a shame not everyone was quite so focused on their food! That first photo is a perfect snapshot of our ever-weirder times.
It’s a crazy world where algorithms rule what we do! It was an interesting experience being the observer!
Good on you! I don't think I would have handled that situation at all! Did they actually enjoy eating and interacting with anyone? Or was it just about content?
I have no idea if people enjoyed the food! People ordered lots of it & so much got wasted. Now I see how places become viral sensations! It’s a crazy world!