Some people serve food. Others create experiences that stay with you long after the last course has been cleared away. For Sharmishta, food has never been just about what appears on a plate. It has always been a way of preserving memory, sharing history, and opening conversations that stretch far beyond the dining table.
Originally from India and now based in the United Kingdom, Sharmishta describes herself as British Indian, having spent more years in the UK than in her country of birth. Yet despite the distance, her connection to Kolkata remains deeply rooted in everything she creates. Through her specialty supper club, SHOR.shé, she has found a way to bridge continents, cultures, and generations by inviting guests into the rich and often overlooked culinary story of Bengal.
What makes SHOR.shé unique is that every menu is built around storytelling. Not storytelling for entertainment, but storytelling as cultural preservation. Sharmishta believes that Indian cuisine is frequently reduced to a handful of dishes that have become familiar around the world, leaving many regional traditions unseen. Too often, conversations about Indian food begin and end with North Indian staples, while the complexity and diversity of other regions remain unexplored. Through her supper club, she is creating space for those forgotten stories to be heard and tasted.
At the center of her work is Kolkata, a city whose history has been shaped by trade routes, migration, colonial encounters, and centuries of cultural exchange. Those influences continue to live within the city’s cuisine, and Sharmishta carefully brings them forward through each dining experience. Guests may encounter traces of Afghan influence, echoes of Mughal kitchens, European culinary traditions, and recipes shaped by river-bound communities. Rather than presenting these histories as facts from a textbook, she allows them to unfold naturally through flavor, conversation, and shared experience.
Her creative journey began long before SHOR.shé officially launched in August 2025. Cooking had always been a source of joy, but it also became a form of personal expression. She found herself experimenting with ingredients, adapting traditional recipes while honoring their origins. Local produce often found its way into dishes that traditionally relied on ingredients from India. Rhubarb, for example, might be used in place of green mango in a dal recipe. These adaptations were not about changing tradition for the sake of modernity, but about demonstrating how culture evolves while still preserving its identity.
When asked to describe her creative style, Sharmishta offers a phrase that perfectly captures her philosophy: “Stories on plates, powered by nostalgic flavours from a zero-waste kitchen.” It is a statement that reflects both her respect for the past and her commitment to sustainability. Every detail of the experience is intentional, from the ingredients selected to the historical narratives shared throughout the evening. Guests are not simply being served dinner; they are being invited into a larger conversation about culture, migration, memory, and belonging.
Behind the scenes, however, the work requires remarkable dedication. SHOR.shé is largely a one-woman operation, meaning every aspect of the experience rests on Sharmishta’s shoulders. From developing concepts and researching historical connections to sourcing ingredients, preparing food, hosting guests, and managing logistics, each event demands careful planning and execution. The success of the supper club reflects not only her creativity but also her ability to transform an ambitious vision into a seamless reality.
That effort has not gone unnoticed. One of her proudest achievements is the overwhelming response the supper club has received since its launch. Every event has sold out, and a growing waitlist of nearly seventy people has already formed for 2026. Beyond the numbers, what means the most to her is knowing she has successfully introduced Bengal’s culinary heritage to audiences in the United Kingdom while helping guests understand the deeper histories that shaped the food they are enjoying.
For Sharmishta, the true purpose of SHOR.shé extends far beyond dining. She hopes guests leave with a greater appreciation for culture, history, and connection. As she explains, people do not simply attend a dinner; they become part of a conversation that began long before they arrived. In those moments, the supper club transforms into something larger than a meal. It becomes a cultural space carried across continents with pride, creating meaningful connections between people who may have otherwise never crossed paths.
Much of what keeps her motivated comes directly from those guests. Their enthusiasm, curiosity, and thoughtful reviews continue to reinforce the value of what she is building. Each sold-out event, every message of appreciation, and every conversation sparked around the table serves as a reminder that people are hungry not only for great food but also for meaningful experiences.
Looking ahead, Sharmishta is expanding her vision in exciting ways. Alongside the supper club, she is developing cookery lessons designed to give people the confidence to prepare Indian food in their own kitchens without intimidation. She is also organizing immersive trips to Kolkata, inspired by guests who have become fascinated by the city through her storytelling. These journeys will offer participants an opportunity to experience Kolkata through her eyes, providing a deeper understanding of the culture, history, and everyday life that inspire her work.
Despite these plans for growth, her future goals remain rooted in the same principles that inspired SHOR.shé from the beginning. She hopes to bring the supper club experience to international audiences while maintaining the intimacy that makes it so special. Guest lists will remain intentionally small, limited to twelve people, not because of necessity but because conversation is central to the experience. This reflects the Bengali tradition of adda, the art of meaningful dialogue that unfolds without rush or agenda. It is within those conversations that connections are formed, stories are exchanged, and cultures become better understood.
Ultimately, Sharmishta’s work is not about reinventing food. It is about rediscovery. Not the rediscovery of technique or presentation, but the rediscovery of memory, sustainability, and documented history. Through every carefully crafted course, she reminds her guests that food carries stories, and when those stories are shared, they have the power to connect people across oceans, generations, and cultures.
To follow Sharmishta’s journey, learn more about upcoming events, or join her growing community, connect with her through Instagram, her mailing list, and Eventbrite.
1 comment