Kirthanaa & Friends

One of life's greatest pleasures is an evening spent entertaining friends with scrumptious food and memorable conversations. It's even more pleasurable when most of the cooking and cleaning up is taken care of for you, leaving you with the all-important task of making the playlist and choosing between the apricot pink or pistachio candlesticks. Why not both?

Someone who's made an art out of setting the perfect table is Kirthanaa Naidu (@kirthanaa). We'd been admiring Instagram's favourite tablescaper (yes, that is a thing!) for quite a while, so couldn't resist the chance to invite ourselves over when she and her best friends tucked into Gopal's Corner's Homestyle Banana Leaf together.

What did Gopal's Corner's banana leaf rice bring up for you?

I was excited to have banana leaf in the UK and introduce this to my close friends. It’s a South Indian dish where an array of vegetable dishes, pickles, curries and popadoms are served on a banana leaf with rice. I grew up in an Indian household in Malaysia, where we often had banana leaf rice at home and so it is tied in with many happy memories from my childhood and since. On special occasions like Diwali, my mum would cut the banana leaf from our garden and prepare all the dishes that would be served on it. We’d also have it at the temple and at restaurants too. 

The way you fold your banana leaf after a meal is important too. During festivals and celebrations you would fold it towards you once finished to indicate that you enjoyed the occasion and will come back, whereas at a funeral you would fold it away from you to communicate that you hope to not return again for another funeral. At a restaurant you would fold it towards you (downwards) to show that you enjoyed the food.

Who came to your dinner party and how do you know them? 

I invited over some of my closest friends that I have known since I arrived in the UK 14 years ago, both from school and university. As I came to the UK for education, my parents stayed in Malaysia. So when I was making friends in the UK, they become something akin to family - where we hang out loads and I love to host them in my home.

How did the tablescaping come about?

As I find it quite cathartic, it was the perfect hobby for when I was on furlough. It was a way for me to be creative and have special moments at home. I started out being inspired by my previous holidays - so I’d set a table that would remind me of the country and cook food from that country too. For me the food is a key ingredient in not only laying a harmonious table but also creating that sense of escapism I was after.

What are your summer plans?

I’ve mostly stayed in the UK to enjoy the weather and do day trips to places I haven’t been to. I have been on a few holidays to Menorca and Puglia early on this summer, the food in Menorca was incredible - some of the best seafood I’ve had. I’m hoping to squeeze in a holiday in September before it gets cold again, Copenhagen is looking promising at the moment. I’ve saved so many restaurants I’ve found through Instagram that I’m excited to try out. 

What have you been listening to all summer?

I’m enjoying chilled music during the summer months. I've just seen Joy Crookes at a festival - she’s super talented and it makes me happy to see a South Asian woman getting the recognition she deserves!  Raveena Aurora, another brilliant South Asian - who I love - Still Dreaming is a great one of hers. Other favourites are Cleo Sol and Pip Millet, who sing Sunshine and  Love the Things You Do respectively.

What’s your favourite restaurant at the moment?

I absolutely love Singburi. It's a fuss-free Thai restaurant in Leytonstone that reminds me of home. Everything on the blackboard menu packs a punch and is truly delicious, so I solely order from the blackboard rather than their standard menu. 

What do you cook when you're entertaining?

It’s hard to pick one dish as I’m very much a feeder (thanks to my Indian mum who is notorious for feeding people excessively), but South and South East Asian food is always a winner. It’s not as easy to find restaurants that cook home-style food like this so I enjoy making it at home and it’s great for hosting as I can make eight dishes for people to share, family style.