Joe Blog

Dinner with Shankar R. Santhiram(All proceeds go to the Johannesburg Melrose Shree Siva Subramaniar Temple Building Fund)

Acclaimed Malaysian Tamil chef Shankar R. Santhiram , of Fire by Shankar in Penang, Malaysia, brings his celebrated Malaysian Tamil Sappadu to Johannesburg for a special evening of food, culture, and connection.

Shankar will prepare a generous multi- dish “Virunthu” (feast), featuring starters, a full main course with four proteins, three vegetable sides, and a dessert. The menu will showcase the rich diversity of Malaysian Tamil cuisine, including Kulambhu, Varuval, Peratal, Poriyal, and Kootu—each dish deeply rooted in tradition and flavour.

Tamil people who migrated from South India form the largest Indian diaspora in Malaysia. Shankar grew up at a family dining table shaped by this heritage, where Tamil recipes evolved naturally around Malaysian ingredients and produce. His cooking reflects this history—an amalgamation of family taste preferences, the everyday food culture of Penang Island, and his travels throughout Tamil Nadu.

Join Shankar for a memorable evening of food, music, and storytelling, as he shares insights into the cultural parallels between Indian communities in South Africa and Malaysia, explored through the lens of cuisine.

All proceeds from this event will be directly channelled into the Melrose Temple’s Building Fund.