Full moon in Stratford: Selina Rajan pours out sherbet |
Kuhama means ‘migrate’ in Swahili and supper club hostess Selina Rajan has come a long way. Her roots are in the Ismaeli community in India, followers of the Aga Khan, who, one day, told his followers to move to Africa. Later, during the Asian purge during the 1970s, her family moved to the UK. So Selina’s background spans the three old continents: Asia, Africa and Europe.
Her menu roams from Zanzibar to Mombassa, swings by Uganda and incorporates food from Swahili culture. The meal was accompanied by wines of South Africa and people have been remarking on the excellent quality of the wines.
Selina was aided by her GBF Anni and I loved the attention to detail, the playfulness, the creativity and craft of their menu. They spent all night making menu scrolls with bamboo sticks, tiny goodie bags with local coffee. She also looked cool and stylish in African print dresses while cooking. Selina’s day job is a hospital doctor but her parents ran a restaurant. It’s in the genes clearly because she came armed with detailed prep lists, bustling with efficiency and energy.
Wednesday 1st of August is Middle East night with Sabrina Ghayour and Veggiestan author Sally Butcher of Persepolis in Peckham.
Book here. £45 four courses, cocktail and alcohol.
Rick
Jambo Selina! Woww…a really interesting menu concept, looks and sounds delicious!