The Parsis at Mansion House: A celebration of faith, food and identity

At a dinner co-hosted by London’s Lord Mayor, an ancient community reaffirmed its place in modern history

- ADITI PHADNIS

Last month, Lord Mayor of London, Alastair King, and Karan Bilimoria co-hosted the first ever Zoroastrian Parsi dinner, at Mansion House, created by celebrated chef and a Parsi himself, Cyrus Todiwala (below)

(PHOTO: OFFICE OF LORD BILIMORIA OF CHELSEY)

The 25-year-old Mansion House, the official home of the Lord Mayor of London, is a magnificent Palladian-style building in the centre of the city’s financial district.

Last month, the tantalising fragrances of patra ni machhi (fillet of bass in coconut chutney, wrapped in banana leaf), jardaloo ma gos no palav (pulao of lamb cooked with Hunza apricots), and lagunn nu custard (baked custard flavoured with rose, cardamom and nutmeg drizzled with nuts) pervaded the dining room as Lord Mayor of London, Alastair King, and Karan Bilimoria co-hosted the first ever Zoroastrian Parsi dinner created by celebrated chef and a Parsi himself, Cyrus Todiwala.

“It was a feast of memory, a taste of Mumbai recreated in the heart of London, reminding us that our traditions travel with us wherever we go,” Bilimoria told Business Standard. “Being at Mansion House that evening, Ifelt the weight of history. Going far beyond simply being another formal dinner, it was an affirmation of identity, a reminder of legacy, and a celebration of values that have sustained our people for millennia”.

Among those who attended were Cyrus Kapadia, CEO of Lazard UK; Ron Kalifa, who is instrumental in formulating Fintech strategies for the UK; Malcolm Deboo, president of Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe (ZTFE); and Zenobia Nadirshaw, professor and a leader in the field of mental health.