Josh Hinton in his colorful new kitchen. The fragrant aromas of garam masala and cinnamon waft around the room as he deftly chops potatoes and fresh coriander. His culinary journey is not just about cooking. It is a heartfelt tribute to his family’s migration history, which he artfully shares in his show, A Place in the Sultan’s Kitchen. In this unique cooking series, Hinton attempts to recreate his grandmother’s cherished chicken curry while narrating the stories that shaped his family’s identity.
Hinton’s connection to food runs deep. His family runs a restaurant out near Brisbane – immune, apparently, to the pandemic!!—a spot full of memories as well as vibrant art and decorations. The business, which his grandmother opened in 1983, has long functioned as a community hub for friends and family, he said. Blending Persian, Sri Lankan, and English traditions, Hinton represents a rich blend of cultures that informs his artfully composed dishes.
His grandmother, Mehrangiz Fassy, had left Iran as a refugee during the chaotic days of the Anglo-Soviet invasion of World War II. The family’s journey north was a testimony to both desperation and perseverance. “We were traveling with the chicken behind the truck,” she recalls. “We traveled the one night and one day in that truck, we traveled towards India.” This great migration story is at the heart of the recipes in Hinton’s care.
Growing up in regional New South Wales, Hinton developed an appreciation for the flavors and stories that fill his family’s meals. In a world increasingly disconnected from heritage, he testifies that food can be a profound bridge back to it. From Afnan’s perspective, “Food is the thing that connects everybody. It connects all of our cultures,” said Afnan Fassy, Hinton’s uncle. “All the happiness found on the dinner table is almost like an expression of your heritage.”
More than a cooking demonstration, Hinton’s show is an exploration of identity. He candidly addresses his complex cultural background, stating, “My cultural identity is extremely complicated. It doesn’t really need to be labelled. It’s more than just the names of the countries; it’s the food, it’s the memories, it’s the experiences my grandparents have gone on.”
It’s food, it’s family history in every episode of A Place in the Sultan’s Kitchen. Hinton’s complete name is Joshua Jamil Hinton. Indeed, he was ashamed by it in his younger days, but he has fully accepted it now. “There was like a big part of my life where I was embarrassed to tell people my middle name Jameel,” he shared. “In the making of the show, I really made a point. There’s a whole scene on my middle name because I’m proud of it now.”
The journey from kitchen to plate is all at once a historical expedition, a drive through the mind’s biography. In addition to cooking his grandmother’s chicken curry, Hinton considers the culinary lessons imparted by his family. As his Sri Lankan mother-in-law once told him, “I didn’t know how to cook at all. The only thing I knew was how to eat.” If you unlock the wisdom of eating well, you will learn the art of cooking well. This sentiment echoes throughout Hinton’s culinary endeavors.
As Hinton contents the curry, he interweaves colorful stories from his family history. Through his artful storytelling, he brings us into the heart of their shared journey. His grandmother’s voice now echoes through the kitchen, her laughter and wisdom lacing each dish he creates with the love of his family’s history. “What a delicious meal,” she announces after sampling her grandson’s handiwork.
