On Thursday, 22 February, the 17th edition of the monthly Maulana Azad Centre for Indian Culture (MACIC) Roundtable will be a seminar on “Culinary Identities: Building Cultural Synergies through Food,” held at 4pm at MACIC.

Food is now widely regarded as an important subject of scholarly study, becoming a tool to unlock mysteries behind many social and cultural particularities.

The study of food in the social sciences and humanities is not just limited to food itself, but concerns complex linkages to the narration of memories, experiences, stories, mythical tales, of the evolution of concepts like status, gender, aesthetics, culture, ethics, the formation of identities (local, national and regional), the strengthening of people-to-people relationships on the basis of a common love for food, and a plethora of other social subjects.

India and Egypt, home to two of the oldest civilisations in the world, have a rich tradition and culture of food, where many a tale in common folklore is centered on food.

The MACIC seminar discussion will aim to generate an interactive exchange of thoughts and ideas on all these aspects related to food, while deliberating on ways to build cultural synergies through food.

The discussion will also explore the potential of food tourism with a particular emphasis on local food and culture to ensure sustainability.    

Eminent speakers will elaborate on these themes, followed by an interactive question and answer session with the audience.

This edition of the MACIC Roundtable will feature Elhmy Al-Zayyat, former chairman of the Chamber of Tourism, Ashraf Gamal, editor-in-chief of Chefs Corner Magazine and managing director of the Egyptian Chefs Association, and M Melville Joseph John, a restaurateur.