Food Culture in the Clubs of Calcutta – CCFC

I have been going to CCFC (Calcutta Cricket & Football Club) for the past 35 years since 1976. From then till now there hasn’t been much of a change in how certain items are prepared or taste.

Although the history of the club dates back to 1792 it is practically impossible for me to describe let alone perceive what was available from the kitchen to the members then. I can at best start from the mid 70’s when their fish finger, keema aloo chop, chicken sandwich, beef steak, chicken roast tasted just as good as they do even now.  In order to understand the kind of food available at this club one has to know a bit of the club’s history. This is the second oldest cricket club after MCC, an essentially a sports club whose members were people from the tea industry. The members would after a game or while discussing business would look for quick bites to satiate their hunger pangs. During the 70’s and 80’s it was male dominated where members would discuss business over drinks and quick eats. One would rarely see a lady in the premises other than during the festivities or sometimes over weekends. In the winter while an interesting cricket match was in progress the members and their guests would enjoy a hearty beef steak while sipping on their favourite drink enjoying the afternoon sun.

In the 80’s the menu saw the advent of new dishes and momos, chaats and kebabs found their way to gastronomic delights of the members. However, if you wanted to eat a hearty meal you could no further than the humble beefsteak or the roast chicken. Although the 90’s saw an increase in the menu and a change in the demography where members started bringing their families to enjoy the facilities, of the club the all time favourites fish finger, keema aloo chop, chicken sandwich, beef steak, chicken roast remained firmly where they always were! In 2004 the club boasted of their new dining room, which once was a huge hall used only very rarely, serving a multi cuisine fare to its members. Despite the changes there was no change in the way the all time favourites tasted. I have heard that the CCFC serves, possibly, the best beef steak in the city!

Over the past year the club boasts of a much better fare to tickle the gastronomic juices of its members. The kitchen which once served just a few quick eats now caters to varied tastes and has in its list chelo kebab, fish and bacon roll, chicken and vegetable tarts, noodle soup and lots more. The kitchen staff is capable enough to handle a lavish meal for its members if they want to have a private party.

The thought of documenting the food culture in certain clubs of Calcutta, now known as Kolkata, came about when I met this gentleman who has a media company and has started a food magazine in Bengali, Hyangla Henshel. So, when Anilava wanted me to write for their magazine and that too on the given topic I thought what better than to start with CCFC which has been home turf. What you have just read is the English version, albeit tweaked a bit here and there, which has been published in the February/March 2013 edition Hyangla Henshel. It hasn’t been easy writing in Bengali, but this too has been adventurous!  

                                                     Beef Steak at CCFC