As told by Mrs. Kalpana Pradhan, Mumbai

Imagine curry flavoured steam rising out of a bubbling pot, stirring up memories of a family dinner thousands of miles away at home.  

When I’d occasionally cook aboard my husband Captain Tushar Pradhan’s ship, there was an almost festive air to it. No particular reason for me to be spending time in the ship’s kitchen, nautically termed the ‘galley’, but it was always a welcome change from the culinary boredom that often blunts a sailor’s appetite aboard ship.

The Chief Cook doubtless did a wonderful job of preparing the ship’s meals, but I guessed I could add a more subtle lady’s touch to the dishes, giving the food just that little newness. This was perhaps my way of doing my bit for the ship’s crew who surely & sorely missed home food and the joy of eating with their families.

The ship’s larder would generally be well equipped with a wide variety of spice and ingredients, especially soon after the ship had received its provisions through the ship chandler.

[I have often wondered how a ‘chandler’, a name for a supplier or maker of candles, came to be a name for a ship’s supplier too. Nautical expressions are so very intriguing!]

The crew would gather around to admire the gastronomic proceedings, and the appreciation of the results was often through a series of ‘oohs & aahs’, accompanied by some vigorous nodding of the heads, Indian style.

When cooking in the galley I tried to keep myself clear of the cook’s work schedules and kept any possible interference to the minimum. Tushar was very strict about such matters. The ship’s safety and work practices were not to be impinged upon at any time.

Small things like these cooking turns would keep the ship’s bonhomie levels high, more so when the voyages across oceans stretched to 4 weeks and more.

I am told that such practices are now frowned upon, and even completely off limits in some fleets. All I can say is that in all things human, a human touch is so important, as in a bit of cooking on a ship ploughing its way across a frothing expanse of sea!

God bless the merchant navy.

Marex Media