The Venue

The heritage of North Indian culture is as rich and vibrant as any in human history. As far back as 2500BC large, spacious cities were built with well made streets and luxurious homes. These Indus Valley civilisations began a timeless tradition which has lasted until this day.

The lifestyle of these ancient people centred around community, culture and a love of fine food. In ancient Harappa, the ruins of opulent community baths were discovered along with well established crops such as wheat, barley, peas and sesame. Here was the birthplace of the Indian Tandoor clay oven, a cooking device which allows temperatures as high as 480°C to cook meats quickly and thoroughly.

Much later the Aryan influence from central asia brought a renewed focus on religion and together with the phiosophical poetry of the Vedas a deeply thoughtful relationship with the environment began.

Invasions by the Greeks under Alexander the Great brought new ideas and influences. By 286BC one of the greatest of all North Indian Emperors, Ashoka the Great, unified the many tribes into into a single society. This catalyst for change brought together culinary delights from disparate corners of the empire, allowing truly magical fusions of food to form.

Eventually the Mauryan empire dissipated until overthrown by the Guptas, a culture whose focus on art and literature gave birth to a golden era of Indian creativity and expression.

Countless wars and upheavals saw Indian empires rise and fall. From Muslim rulers to the mighty Khans, the nation was pushed and pulled to satisfy the whims of powerful men. What remained constant was the Indian people’s capacity to focus on simple things, to enjoy the pleasures afforded them by family, community and their love of food.