Food: Feminism, family, fads, favourites and fantasy – Q&A with Mariaam Bhatti

Mariaam Bhatti is a South African who has been living in Ireland since 2010. She is studying community and youth work at NUI Maynooth and also works a cleaner and childminder. She is a member of the Domestic Workers Action Group of the Migrant Rights Centre Ireland MRCI writes a fortnightly column about domestic work in Metro Eireann.

Is food a feminist issue?
"I think it is for all people, but it differs from society to society and one part of the world to another. However, there are some roles – eg preparing food, caring for the home and children that most of us (men and women) have been socialised or even 'programmed' to think are a woman's role or issue."

What role does food play in your daily life? Functional or fun?
"If I am to be honest (which I am ) I think it is one of the necessities our bodies need to keep functioning and breathing from day to day. I treat it as that, but I wouldn't mind gathering a group of people I love, who I haven't seen for a long time, to make food for them to bring the fun element to it."

Have you ever been on a diet?
"No, but I am neither a heavy eater nor a disciplined 'proper dinner or lunch' kind of a person. I don't go out of my way to make dinner or lunch and set the table. I tend to eat or make what doesn't take time to prepare, but I am always conscious of healthy eating. I don't like 'fast foods'."

What food reminds you of your childhood?
"I could write a book about this, but today it will be roasted (over hot charcoal) giant African corn (we call it maize not corn). I remember as a child eating one while walking about doing erands and I never get tired of it."

Why are the majority of chefs men?
"Hmm . . . really thought-provoking. I think men seem to hold more positions considered important (like appearing on TV) than women in general and they also like to be in power of some sort. Also many men don't seem afraid of taking risks such as being self-employed."

Favourite food memory?
"I think I liked lasagne and shepherds pie when I tasted them for the first time and they remain my top two favourite dishes."

Fantasy dinner guests?
"My family (immediate and extended) I have spend nearly eight Christmases without them and I miss them all dearly, especially around Christmas or Easter time. Five of those Christmases spent without them were in Ireland. The first time I make them dinner I would like to show off many Irish dishes to them . To impress them, but importantly to allow them to visualise Irish kitchen tables."

Your signature dish?
"I find cooking a huge task which I don't do often, but when I have time once in a blue moon I like cooking pap* and chicken or beef stew with green leafy vegetables or cabbage. I also like cooking all sorts of lentil stew that can also be served with rice or pap, but I wouldn't consider these signature dishes although I know I cook them well and enjoy cooking them when I am free.

"*Pap is a southern African staple food, but called different names in different Southern African countries. In South Africa we call it pap. Pap is made out of ground dry maize powder and cooked in hot water to look almost like mashed potato. It is served with beef, chicken fish, spinach, cabbage, beans, lentils and is eaten as lunch or dinner."