Oneal Sabu, a corporate lawyer and a self-confessed food enthusiast, has no qualms in traversing the state of Kerala, or for that matter the entire country to indulge in his favourite dish.
He appreciates the look, feel and flavour of every morsel. Food stimulates his thoughts and fuels the writer in him. Naturally, Oneal took up food-blogging on his Facebook page, ‘Soul fried Monologues’, and his Instagram handle, (fc_boy_83), which is more like an appetiser to prepare himself before turning to writing, which is the main course.
Six months after a popular stint as food blogger, he penned down his musings, memories and love for food in Soul Fried Monologues.
Oneal says that Soul Fried Monologues, published by Notion Press, is not exactly a book on food and neither is it a recipe book with glossy pictures of ‘inedible’ food. “The recipes in the book are told like stories. And every recipe has a back story. Cook and enjoy the food or feel the monologues, it’s the reader’s choice,” he says.
But then, Oneal draws meaningful comparisons that forces us to pick both. For instance, he starts a chapter about King Crab Masala Fry at Martin’s Corner in Goa, and tells us that this is Sachin Tendulkar’s favourite dish and that is one good reason to try it. He adds how desperately he wanted to taste it, albeit not being a crab fan, all because he could get close to the taste buds of the God of Cricket.
There is only one person in Oneal’s life that he compares with King Crab. In words that mirror his seamless admiration, the author shares how she (pseudonym Bubble) transformed his visions and missions in life, just like what the King Crab did to his gastronomical quest.
Oneal then sprinkles a bit of romance and compares his first crush to the very-tasty Butter Chicken, a dish that will make you want for more.
Likewise, there is a story behind every chapter and a question is posed at the reader: “What is your food memory?” So, there is a dish or chapter for every mood—Tuna and Bacon Footlonger for your dose of surrealism, Mutton Rogan Josh for nostalgia and Paella de India for the Indian at heart. It also shows the country’s diversity.
Indeed, good food and nostalgia go hand in hand. But, Oneal’s journey is more than that. His is a story of determination and weight-loss mission.
“Now, I love every bit of food, be it pulses or fish or meat or vegetable. This is because I went on an intense diet, eating only raw food, to lose weight. The weight-loss journey made me appreciate taste,” says Oneal, who has worked as a sandwich artist, ice-cream man, bartender and even grill washer, during his post-graduation in the UK.
It is this passion that reigns in him, both for food and words.