Recipe for fund raising

The Centre for Advancement of Philanthropy (CAP) hit upon a novel idea of combining good food with fund-raising. Cuisine for a Cause: Celebrating Parsi Recipes and Philanthropy was released before a standing room only audience at the SRCC (Society for Rehabilitation of Crippled Children) Centre Auditorium, on December 14, 2011. The 262-page book replete with color photographs and recipes was compiled by Meher Gandevia-Billimoria, a consultant with CAP and Noshir Dadrawala, CAP’s chief executive officer. Priced at Rs 1,000 the paperback carries 40 recipes, 37 of which have been provided by different NGOs (nongovernmental organizations) while three have been given by noted Parsi caterers Tanaz Godiwalla, Kurush Dalal and Kaizad Patel. The NGOs listed were either founded, initiated and/or managed by Parsis. Details on their organizations preface the recipe provided by them.

"This book is about people and relationships. Relationships are more important than revenue,” said Billimoria to the distinguished gathering explaining the book and the function "celebrates 25 years of CAP.” The main sponsors of the book were Forbes Marshall Limited and Pirojsha Godrej Foundation, noted Dadrawala relating his close ties with the late Sohrab Godrej.

Narrating how CAP was started 26 years ago by people like founder of Housing Development Finance Corporation the late Hasmukh T. Parekh, Russi Lala and Darayus Forbes, Rati Forbes explained the trust’s objective is to assist charitable organizations that don’t have the resources to pay for legal fees. "Who could they turn to? (Thus) CAP was born.” The objective of CAP was "to guide and assist NGOs” so that they were "legally compliant and well governed.” While in the past CAP offered its services "pro bono” they would now have to charge so they need "a good revenue stream.”

Clockwise from top left: Smita Godrej Crishna, Rati Forbes, Dr Harsha Parekh and Meher Banaji

"Philanthropy is private action for the public good,” said Smita Godrej Crishna representing Godrej. She noted how philanthropy traced its roots to ancient times and how people like J. P. Morgan and John Rockefeller "gave at the end of their lives.” But today individuals give as and when they can afford to. The rich give around 1.6 percent of their household income, the upper middle class 2.1 percent and the middle class 1.7 percent, she noted. The growth of wealthy individuals in Asia had grown considerably and she hoped that they would in turn contribute to philanthropic organizations.

A short film on CAP was shown with interviews with individuals such as Dr Harsha Parekh, a CAP board member, and prominent social activists such as Saker Mistri, Annabel Mehta and Pushpa Aman Singh amongst others.

Upper Crust editor and publisher Farzana Behram Contractor who launched the book termed the concept "brilliant. I have never seen a combination like this. A marriage of food and philanthropy.” Considering herself "an honorary Parsi,” Contractor marvelled at the community’s "longevity despite the rich food in such enormous proportion that Parsis consume. Parsis don’t feel guilty about this either,” she observed. They appeared to have a policy of "eat and laugh. I learnt about the importance of food from my husband,” she told the gathering. After knowing Behram for only three months she proposed to him stating, "‘Do you want to get married?’ To which he replied ‘If you want to.’”

Launching Cuisine for a Cause (from left): Compilers Noshir Dadrawala and Meher Gandevia-Billimoria with Farzana Contractor Photos: Sarosh Daruwala, Mazda Audio Visual Labs

In the preface to the book Billimoria states, "It would be pertinent to point out that while this book focuses on Parsi individuals in the voluntary space, this is not to take away from the fact that there are many more persons from other communities who are doing equally wonderful work. Also, while Parsis may have initiated these projects, they owe their successes to a spirited and committed team that helps them take forward their vision and mission.”

The introduction in the book states all the recipes have been contributed by different individuals and "tried by an expert and then tried again by helpful family and friends.” The NGOs listed in the book were visited and interviewed. "The overview on the first page gives the readers a brief idea of the organization’s genesis and program,” notes the book’s introduction. "The pen sketches are of the recipe’s contributors and the Parsi individuals that are associated with the NGOs. They could be founders, members of the NGO’s managing committee or those heading the organization.”

Students of The Happy Home and School for the Blind entertaining the audience

The photographs in the book were taken by Beynaz Mistry; editing was by Lisa Batiwalla; Feroza Unvala was the graphic designer; Hoshang Velati prepared the dishes; printing was by Jehangir and Darius Surti of Prodon Enterprises.

In the foreword to the book Venkat Krishnan N, a volunteer at Joy of Giving Week noted, "A Parsi’s joy for food, I am told, is only matched with his joy in ‘giving’… If there’s one religious group all Indians should pray for the rapid propagation of, it is Parsis.”

A choir from The Happy Home and School for the Blind sang Christmas carols as well as the song What a wonderful world made popular by the late singer and jazz musician Louis Arm-strong. At least for that evening, the song’s sentiments rang true.