CALCUTTA ON YOUR PLATE

Reading Calcutta on My Plate was like tasting the city and it’s history. I walked the streets of Calcutta both past and present with Nilosree, stopping to stare and munch. The book is interspersed with intriguing and delightful quotes from historical writings about Calcutta. It explores the origins of various dishes from pulaos to curries and jellies, the amalgamation of cultures and cuisines through centuries. Thoroughly and painstakingly researched the book is a reference manual for food history. I loved the quirky, funny and evocative writing voice which makes sure that the reader’s interest never flags. A truly sumptuous spread.

Excellent review of the topic with unwavering focus for history, confluence, syncretism & future of food culture of Calcutta. Impressive treatment of Mughlai & sweets dishes backed with generous & proper ingredients from shelves of culinary history, memories of Raj days with heady toppings of nostalgia…Memorable read

A detailed account how the foreign influence seeped into the cuisine of Calcutta and expressed themselves in the form of Kofta, Kalia, Cutlet,Kosha, Biryani and many others.The past century witnessed the mass adaption of the foreign food, their cooking techniques, new raw ingredients and their lifestyle.The changes in the food culture got triggered by introduction of Tea, globalization of trade and extensive social exchanges.

Fascinating insight into the food culture of Calcutta . Very intelligent and eloquent in quality. Wonderful read that makes one feel like walking down the lanes of Calcutta while the transition of power and evolution of food in Calcutta was taking place. Brilliantly written by Nilosree . The images section is equally good with quality pics that have very apt and pertinent descriptions . Great job by Irfan.

Too many lengthy quoted passages from various books or journals, all of which are available on the internet. Did not understand the purpose. Over priced & not at all worth buying.

Hyderabad may have made it to list of UNESCO creative city for Gastronomy but if there is one city that truly deserves this tag then it is Calcutta. A melting pot of various cultures and Bhadralok’s penchant for experimentation, the gastronomic culture of the city has no parallel. The book is as much a anthropological study of the food culture as is its investigation into the various influences upon the city’s food culture. A delightful read for all foodies. The photographs are however a big let down and hardly merit a place for the photographer’s name in bold type face on the cover.

A well researched work on how the cosmopolitan food culture evolved in Kolkata. A must read for all those who are connoisseur and researching on the culinary history of Kolkata.

Calcutta on Your Plate is a brilliantly researched book on the history of food in Colonial Calcutta up to the present. It is an engaging read and rich with nuanced historical insights about various diverse influences on the Calcutta palate. Highly recommend reading this.

Not a single photo by Irfan Nabi… in fact the paperback version has no photos.. very disappointing