Food, Culture, and Identity Discussed at NUR Shanakht Session
The NUR Shanakht Leadership Program hosted a special session of the NUR Shanakht Speaker Series at Fatima Memorial Hospital (FMH) in Lahore on Wednesday, focusing on the theme "Hamari Cuisine, Hamari Shanakht" (Our Food, Our Identity).
Pakistani food: The discussion delved into Pakistani cuisine beyond its taste, exploring its historical, cultural, geographical, and national identity connections. Moderated by Maha Rehman, Co-Founder of NUR Foundation, the session featured a diverse panel including:
- Shahima T. Rehman, Chairperson NUR-Fatima Memorial System
- Prof. Tayyab Abbas
- Mansoor Jamal Butt
- Gauhar Bano Qureshi, Founder of The Loaf
- Ammar Mohsin, Co-Founder of Rina’s Kitchenette
- Sannan Tahir, Founding Partner of DOT Cafe
- Sara Kaleem, Brand Manager of Pop Up Kitchen.
Key Takeaways:
- Cultural Significance: The panelists highlighted the cultural importance of sharing meals together around a dastarkhwan and eating with hands as defining aspects of Pakistani social life. They also discussed the influence of the British era on the development of tea culture in the subcontinent.
- Global Trends: Social media and global food trends have popularized Western foods among Gen Z, though practical factors like time and cost also play a role in shifting dietary preferences.
- Preserving Heritage: The session concluded with a call to preserve Pakistan's culinary traditions and pass down its food heritage and shared dining culture to younger generations despite global influences.
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