June Meetup ’25, Kacheripady

Spice-slick fingers, monsoon gossip, and fish that tastes like home. LFC Kochi is a flavour ferry through old markets and coastal kitchens. Bring an appetite— and maybe a napkin.

Photos by Content Volunteer, Arya.

HOST

Rizwan T A

CO-HOST

Lois Christy John

CONTENT VOLUNTEER

Arya Kumar

WHERE WE MET

French Toast in Kochi is a cozy bakery known for its artisanal French toasts and indulgent baked goods. It offers a warm, inviting space that is perfect for sweet cravings and relaxed meetups.

What Members Said

The venue was conveniently located, with comfortable seating, and a well-designed layout. My favourite dish at the meetup was Cynthia’s mango pickle! There was a sweet semia served with papadam, that was ace too.

Fiona

The easy rapport among the participants was endearing, and Cynthia’s Prawn Biryani was too good!

Valsala

A group of random people soon grew into a loud, cheerful group talking and sharing stuff as if they had always known each other. A well-spent afternoon.

Cynthia

What We Loved

The ‘Draw Yourself as a Food’ activity, a great conversation starter!

Mangosteen, which is a close relative of kokum, and indigenous to southeast Asia. The fruit is now grown in parts of southern India, and has naturalised here.

Homemade Kombucha that had everyone asking around for the recipe!

MEET YOUR HOST

Rizwan is a musician, storyteller, and community builder based in Kochi. His work blends melodies, memories, and meals, always seeking creative ways to do what he loves while bringing people together. He believes food is more than just flavour; it's a portal into people’s hearts. Whether it’s through food walks or intimate potlucks, Rizwan crafts spaces where strangers become friends, and friends become something like family.

What does local mean to you?

Local is that warm rush you feel when a dish tastes like home. For me, it starts with food, the kind that speaks your language without saying a word, and then it’s the people, the ones who know how much spice is too much but give it to you anyway.

What is your most enduring food memory?

I, as a sugar-charged toddler, walking around with a giant tumbler begging for payasam. After a few rounds, I’d vanish, only to be found snoring somewhere mid-sugar crash, tumbler still half-full. A sweet memory in every sense.

What comfort do you reach for, when you are unwell?

A bowl of kanji with mango achar and dried shrimp, or rice with tomato curry, and a crispy fish fry. Basically, edible hugs with a bit of crunch.

What is one unusual food pairing you swear by?

Watermelon with a lemon rub—literally rubbing half a lemon on the melon before biting into it. It’s weird, it’s zesty, and it’ll make you question your entire summer routine.

How do you see your Local Food Club flourishing?

I dream of a table that holds the flavours of all communities from Fort Kochi and Mattancherry. A place where every dish tells a story, every recipe preserves our roots, and kids grow up knowing their grandma’s cooking didn’t come from a YouTube channel. It’s not just a club, it’s a delicious archive of who we are.