play fare • 2019 - ongoing • in collaboration with sneha mehta

Play Fare is an independent research project which seeks to observe forms of imperialism (old and new) in Bombay’s colonial-era clubs through the lens of food. Our takes on the hodgepodge dishes and cultural practices created by independent citizens in spaces that once stood for exclusion takes the form of published essays, exhibition displays, visual and photographic storytelling, and pop-up culinary experiences. 

@playfareplease

original writing

Why Club Cuisine Will Always Have a Place in Indian Culture
The Goya Journal (May 2020)

Colonial Cuisine à la Carte
Kajal Magazine, Vol. 4: Food (May 2021)

Gymkhana Menus: The Keepers Of Old Bombay Culture
Condé Nast Traveller India (December 2022) 

exhibited works

Wicket Leeks at Flux Factory, New York (June-July 2019)
Using the lenses of food and sports, Wicket Leeks showcased cooks, athletes, researchers, artists, coaches, and makers to help investigate the unsavory histories of nationalist, religious, and corporate colonialism. 

Events and workshops

Non-Members Only at Toast Doughnut Shop, Mumbai (July 2021)
Conceptualized and c0-produced a two-day pop-up event based on reinterpreting classic club dishes for a modern cafe menu, along with themed decor and experience design. 

Guest Special with Praxis Arts, Mumbai at Zen Cafe (September 2021)
Conducted an educational workshop using our signature research method of studying menus as historical documents and expanding on the theme of “outsiders.” 

A Night of Hodgepodge Hijinks with The Goya Journal, Mumbai at Kala Ghoda Cafe (April 2022) Conceptualized and c0-produced a parlour-style meetup and event to celebrate club cuisine and food writing about Mumbai with a menu curated by Play Fare and guest speakers like Kainaz Messman, Simin Patel, and Jane Borges, in collaboration with Indian food publication The Goya Journal.

Guest Special with Praxis Arts, Mumbai at KMC* (April 2023) Conducted an educational workshop using our signature research method of studying menus as historical documents and expanding on the theme of “invention.”

Speakers at Praxis Creative Mixer, Mumbai at Ministry of New (August 2024) Invited to speak about our research for a networking event for Mumbai’s creative community. Curated a Play Fare-themed cocktail menu for the event with Fullarton Distillery. 

features

Welcome To The Club, The Guide in Mid-Day India (July 2020)

Join The Club, The Guide in Mid-Day India (October 2021)

A Toast To Hodgepodge Bombay, The Guide in Mid-Day India (April 2022)

One Chilli Cheese Toast, Please!, The Guide in Mid-Day India (April 2023)