Jayshree Rathi

What’s your go-to local food spot in your city, and why does it matter to you?

There’s definitely not one – the chats near Vardaan market, the samosa from Vishvabandhu, sondesh from any Bengali sweetshop. It all mostly ties down to nostalgia because we have been eating at these places right from my childhood days, and some of them were even my father’s pitstop for an evening snack during his school days.   

One food trend you’re loving right now, and one you’re ready to see less of.
The at-home supper clubs springing up in the city are my favourite thing happening to the food scene in a long time. The joy of eating food made at someone’s house, community dining, what’s not to love? While I am done with the huge number of cafes mushrooming in the city with the same menu, same coffee, same aesthetic decor. We definitely need some fresh air in the cafe scene in the city.

What’s something you’ll almost always find in your fridge?

Jaggery, and at least 2 different kinds of spread/ compote/ jam, and hung curd. Comes handy to make anything savoury or sweet for a quick snack. 

 What’s an LFC moment or memory that you’ll never forget?  

The first time I hosted a meetup, and the co-host couldn’t turn up, how supportive the other members were and how much fun I had that day hosting.

How do you imagine your Local Food Club growing and flourishing over time?

For me, LFC is a long-term ally in how our relationship with food will evolve over the period of next 5-10 years. There is enough globalisation in the food scene, I think the next trend might be going local. Cherishing heritage, documenting family recipes, inviting people to your house for a meal, gifting a kombucha starter or a khareek khatta made at home.