The 2.7-Billion-Year Story of Goan Chicken Curry

This live demonstration will feature the preparation of a Goan chicken curry while delving into the realms of evolutionary biology, biochemistry, physics, and cognitive neuroscience. We will journey back to 2.7 billion years ago when the emergence of Eukaryotic cells, resulting from a symbiotic event, set the stage for complex multicellular life and the evolution of plants and animals.
This discussion will guide us through the cosmic event of an asteroid impact 65 million years ago, which dramatically reshaped Earth's fauna, leading to the extinction of dinosaurs, the rise of mammals, and the domestication of birds such as the Jungle Fowl. This ancient cataclysm indirectly paved the way for the availability of chicken meat, a key ingredient in our curry.

Transitioning to the kitchen, the talk will explore the human innovation of cooking.

The presentation suggests a mindful approach towards understanding the origins of our food, debunking the myth of 'authentic cuisine', promoting an open-minded exploration of flavours, and inviting us to appreciate the deeply intertwined history of evolution, biology, chemistry, physics and culinary arts, enriching the story of the farm to the fork.

Curated by Thomas Zacharias and the Locavore Team

Facilitated by
Krish Ashok

Date: 21 December 2023

Time: 4 PM - 5 PM

Venue: The Food Lab, Old GMC Complex
Past Program