Tamil Feasts' Unforgettable Crab Curry
Food
Throughout July we’re sharing a series of incredible Sri Lankan recipes by Tamil Feasts (விருந்து). This brilliant Melbourne-based social enterprise is supporting recently-settled asylum seekers through the celebration of food and culture.
The feasts, held at The Merri Table, are all prepared by Tamil men currently seeking asylum in Australia. Established in May 2015, the initiative provides an opportunity for the chefs to share the food heritage of their homeland with the wider community, who can, in turn, show their support while enjoying some deliciously authentic fare!
Chefs Niro, Nirma and Nigethan became friends while they were living in detention in Broadmeadows. Following six-and-a-half years in detention, Nirma was released, but struggled to find work. Encouraged by CERES hospitality teacher Dori Ellington and the community, he decided to cook a feast. This event was a huge success and the initiative evolved into weekly, vegetarian feasts. These quickly began to book up, and so, when Niro was released, they started catering more frequently (plus playing more Tamil love songs!). When Nigethan were released, the menu expanded to include seafood and meat, and increased to the current three nights per week!
Today, Nigethan shares his spectacular Crab Curry with us. As show-stopping as this dish looks, he assures us it’s pretty simple to make!