PA/04/13 30 January 2013
Feast on Literature: an evening inspired by Nizams
Christine Manfield, a name that needs no introduction in the culinary world, is coming to Hyderabad as part of Oz Fest, the biggest Australian cultural festival ever staged in India. On 2 February, Oz Fest will host a very special event 'Feast on Literature' with Australian Chef Christine Manfield and author John Zubrzycki at the enchanting Falaknuma Palace, where guests will enjoy an evening inspired by the Nizam dynasty.
Feast on Literature is an evening event for invited guests, who will be treated to a five-course dinner created by Christine Manfield, known the world over as one of Australia’s most celebrated chefs as well as a food writer and gastronomic traveller. Christine's culinary work draws on the exciting tastes and flavours of many cultures, with distinctive and definitive flavour combinations that are not limited by traditional boundaries.
Christine Manfield, who has appeared as a guest chef and judge on Masterchef Australia, has travelled extensively in India and recounts her journey in her sixth book Tasting India (published by Penguin India). The book provides more than 250 traditional and contemporary home-style recipes collected by Christine on her travels and traces the food, spices, culture and the diversity of the country. Tasting India won two awards at the 26th Annual International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP) Awards in New York City in 2012 - Best Cookbook of the Year Award and Culinary Travel Award.
The event will also feature Australian author John Zubrzycki, who will read from his new book, The Mysterious Mr Jacob (published by Random House), narrating the story of Alexander Jacob, a diamond merchant, magician and spy and one of the most enigmatic figures of 19th century India. John Zubrzycki has also authored The Last Nizam: The Rise and Fall of India's Greatest Princely State (published by Pan Macmillan), which was a best-seller for months in India and Australia. The Last Nizam is the story of an extraordinary dynasty, the Nizams of Hyderabad, and how the last Nizam gave up a kingdom to come to the backblocks of outback Australia. It describes the life of Mukarram Jah, the last Nizam, who left behind him the fabulous wealth of Golconda and the palaces of Hyderabad to drive bulldozers in the Australian bush.
Christine Manfield and John Zubryzcki will sign their books for guests at the Feast on Literature event. The event is presented by Oz Fest, in partnership with the Australia-India Council, Oxford Book Store, Penguin India, Random House and Pan Macmillan.
The Hyderabad Oz Fest program also gave audiences a chance to enjoy the musical collaboration of the Australian Art Orchestra and Guru Kaaraikkudi Mani’s Sruthi Laya Ensemble, performing together as Two Oceans in the Hindu NovemberFest. John Zubryzcki also conducted a number of literary seminars at leading Hyderabad universities.
Oz Fest is the biggest Australian cultural festival ever staged in India.The Australian Government is working with 24 government, business, institutional and production partners to present over 100 events in 18 locations across India between October and February 2013. Oz Fest is the Australia International Cultural Council’s focus country program for 2012. For more information about Oz Fest visit: www.ozfestindia.com <http://www.ozfestindia.com> , www.facebook.com/ozfestinindia or follow us on twitter @OzFestIndia. http://www.facebook.com/ozfestinindia.