Food Kahini- Bengali food story book

Food Kahini- the story of food. I personally have a belief that every food has a story. It rarely happens that we just go and eat something. there are memories associated with the meal- good bad whatever. Even the food items have got stories associated with it. And stories need to be documented.

Now, I’ve personally felt that there is a dearth of Bengali book, where food stories are written. Recipe books are there and I’m sure they do a fantastic job of documenting food. But when I was approached to write the food stories, I thought of the most neglected item in the food scene- stories of and on food. This book was dreamt to be talking of the history and geography of food. History means the background story of the food and geography means, the places where I personally go for that particular item. I understand food choices vary from person to person. But this book, Food Kahini, is very very personalized. 

The inception stage

“Would you mind writing a book ?” And I was slightly taken aback by the question by Kaushik Majumdar. Kaushik is an accomplished author having multiple books and awards in his kitty. And I am an ardent fan of his non-fiction work. He knew Book Farm publication house and they had shown interest in having a book on food stories. A couple of meetings, loads of tea/ coffee and we zeroed on the name- Food Kahini.

No thanks is enough for them …

I still remember the fight we (Kaushik and myself) had on the content of Food Kahini. I was still not very confident that whether people would read my book or not. But Kaushik trusted me. He in fact volunteered to edit the Food Kahini on my behalf and I can never thank him enough for that. The cover for Food Kahini was designed by the very talented designer Biltu Dey and promotional creatives were designed by Sonal and Kaushik himself. And finally, the writing started.

I must thank Tania for helping me write down my contents and thus started the journey. For the Facebook page FoodKahini by Mohamushkil, we needed someone responsible enough to take care of it and Priyanka referred Semanti Mitra. Semanti herself is a fantastic writer, but she actually nurtured the page with her creative writings in Bengali and the result started showing …

And the final product

I must be candid. every blogger dreams of holding his published hard copy book at some point of time or another, and I was no exception. So when Santanu gave me the first copy of Food Kahini, I was kinda emotional. And even they had to teach me, how to autograph a book- what to write etc.

The book launch chapter

And finally, it was time to launch Food Kahini, the book. And being a food blogger, the launch can’t happen without food. My Bhaipo from Foodka, Mir Afsar Ali volunteered to be the host for the evening. And I couldn’t really believe it. After all, Mir is the greatest anchor and emcee in eastern India and the sheer fact that he’ll host the event, added feathers to the event. But we needed a venue and Peerless Inn stepped in as the Hospitality partner.

In my journey of food blogging, I’ve worked with multiple hotels. But there are few, who support us back. And I can’t thank Peerless Inn enough for it. After all, it is the oldest Bengali fine dining restaurant in India and Food
Kahini is all about food- hence …

Aaheli- first bengali fine dining restaurant in India

Guest lists got prepared and the event was all set. I can still feel the madness. Whoever was invited, tried to attend the show. Mir took care of inviting the guests of honor and Sunando took the responsibility of taking care of the guests.

I was kinda lost in the show. After all, I was the common point of contact for the guests and I still remember, I couldn’t even properly talk to everybody. And at one point in time, even Sunando got slightly overburdened. Lagnajita came to the rescue and she actually took the charge of talking to everybody and making them comfortable.

And in the presence of eminent personalities of Kolkata, Food Kahini was unveiled. And I confess now, it was one of the best moments of my otherwise mundane life. The event was getting covered by many major media houses in Kolkata- thanks to The Peerless Inn and my friends.

https://abpananda.abplive.in/video/restaurant-aheli-launces-special-paila-baisakh-menu-571733

http://www.epaper.eisamay.com/Details.aspx?id=47714&boxid=38107

During the event, the menu for Poila Boisakh for Aaheli was launched and the same items were served as the dinner to the guests. Aaheli food is definitely one of the best in town, as long as fine Bengali food is concerned and that day was no exception. It was a great spread.

The after-story

Well, Food Kahini is up in the market now and is available in Book stores across India and on major online platforms.

You can check the list as follows:

দে‘জ পাব্লিশিং, দে বুক স্টোর (দীপুদা), আদি দে বুক স্টোর, অরণ্যমন, পাতাবাহার, থিংকার্স লেন, Read Bengali Book Store

For Online booking:

https://readbengalibooks.com/index.php/food-kahini.html

http://dl.flipkart.com/dl/food-kahini/p/itmffevbvxrfqyg4?pid=RBKFFESZXZXAKQTM&cmpid=product.share.pp

http://aranyamon.com/productdetails.aspx?BookName=Food%20Kahini  

Frankly, I am still a bit nervous with Food Kahini- the Bengali food book, as it’s my first published baby. And I am looking for and open to feedback from you. Do let me know what’s your take for the same in the comment section below and wish for me.

Bon apetit !!!

Comments and critics welcome. 

I can be reached at 9903528225 / indrajit.lahiri@ymail.com