An Interview with Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy
Learn about award winning filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy's project Pakistan's Museum of Food
Sohan Halwa served (2020)SOCH Outreach Foundation
What is Pakistan's Museum of Food?
The Pakistan Museum of Food is an online platform and digital repository dedicated to preserving and showcasing the diverse culinary heritage of the country through virtual exhibits, interactive experiences, and an extensive collection of digital resources.
Almas holding cooked, plated halwa after process of cooking halwa, in Vehari (2023)SOCH Outreach Foundation
The project allows you to explore the traditions, regional specialties, and historical and cultural significance of various Pakistani dishes. Spear-headed by filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy, the project serves as a valuable cultural resource. Scroll for Sharmeen's insights...
Portrait of Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy (2022)SOCH Outreach Foundation
Introducing Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy
Sharmeen is a Pakistani-Canadian journalist, filmmaker, and activist known for her work in films that highlight gender inequality. She is the recipient of two Academy Awards, seven Emmy Awards, and a Knight International.
Food items including soup being served by local woman in Gulmit (2021)SOCH Outreach Foundation
On capturing the essence of food culture
Pakistan's food landscape is very diverse. You will find that Pakistanis get most animated when they talk about their next meal. We've tried to capture that excitement and the love that goes into creating these dishes.
Grandmother Azra Syed reading a recipe book (2020)SOCH Outreach Foundation
Early memories of food and family
Sharmeen speaks about her personal connection to the project through memories of her grandmother, whose cooking and recipes we passed down through generations.
How did Pakistan's Museum of Food come about?
Sharmeen speaks about the importance of the project ''I remember a time when we would have seasonal food and that means that our palate is changing. But it is so important for us to preserve recipes.''
Women cut sugarcane from in Mirpur Khas in January during the harvest season (2023)SOCH Outreach Foundation
Sharmeen elaborates on why the project was formed and how food is such a unifying factor in many people's lives in Pakistan.
Alma rows her boat, at the indus River, in Naudero (2023)SOCH Outreach Foundation
On why the project is so extensive
Pakistan's Museum of Food is a labor of love. We have stories of fishermen living on boats and the food that they consume. We have stories from communities drying their vegetables to last them the year round.
Longi Chilli (2020)SOCH Outreach Foundation
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