Crossed Spices

At a time when we all need each other, friendship and community matter most. Michael and I met at my supper club and became friends. Since then, we have been cooking and hosting together. This social lunch grew out of our menu testing, where we cooked and ate with many of our friends. This spring, we are hosting together again, inspired by fresh Sydney produce and our favourite flavours of Indo-Chinese, Korean, Italian, and, of course, Bangali spices. This table is made by friends and shared with people who might become friends too. Why Crossed Spices? This menu celebrates how the same spices travel across cultures and taste different in each one. As we cooked Indo-Chinese, Korean, Italian, and Bangali dishes side by side, we noticed the same pattern in all three. It is the Bangali philosophy of balance, built on three essential tastes: Tok (tangy), Jhal (hot, pungent), and Mishti (sweet). Crossing our spices is how we found it, and it is what holds this menu together. What is cooking? Cha-Pani Phuchka on Bruschetta Bruschetta | Schezwan Tofu Fry | Phuchka | Tamarind and Yoghurt Chutney Kongguksu Egg Noodles | Soy Bean | Sesame | Macadamia | Egg | Tomato | Cucumber Thanda Thanda Malta Cha Black tea | Orange | Lime Leaf | Mint Leaf | Nigella Seed | Mishri Bhaat Torkari Mango Chicken Chicken | Green mango | Seven Spices | Fried Garlic Mach Chocchori Sardines | Tomatoes | Potatoes | Lime Leaf | Green Chillies | Spices Served with Moong Polao made with Basmati rice, Carrot, and ghee Mishti Aam Doi Muri Mango | Doi (hung curd) | Patali Gur | Lime | Muri (Puffed Rice) Together, we will eat with our hands to connect more deeply with the textures and flavours of the food. The evening also highlights zero-waste cooking and food traditions carried across generations in Bangladesh and in diasporic households, now recreated far from home in Sydney with friends from many cultures. See you soon! Cheers! Notes • This menu is halal. • The menu contains meat, fish, gluten, nuts, soy, sesame, and dairy. Due to the curated nature of the menu, we’re unable to accommodate other dietary requirements. • Limited seats offered due to the intimate nature of this gathering. • BYO drinks. • For event inquiries, please contact Shishir and Michael. We are donating 100% of the profits from this event to the Sydney Women's Counselling Centre, NSW, to support the wellbeing of women and children who have experienced domestic violence. We acknowledge that this event takes place on the stolen land of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to Elders past and present.