Why Care? 49: Food, Family, and Leadership Lessons with Shelina Permalloo and Pamela Permalloo Bass

Written By Falah Ahmad

“The whole point about our food and our culture is we all cook very differently, and I hadn't quite understood that until I started this journey. So the fact that we are Chinese, Mauritian French, Mauritian Indians, which have subclasses of the way they cook, veg, non veg. You've got Muslim communities. You've got the black communities of Mauritius - Creole. All of us create food in unique ways to us, and they have been inherited food. This is how we speak to one another, through the way that we prepare our foods. So, if I present that to the world and you're telling me it's wrong, that means you're telling me that the generations of women and men that cook those recipes were also wrong. And I just think that's such a naive and very bigoted approach to championing our people. We should all be sitting there and respecting the fact we are all successful in different ways. And I just wish there was more of that, and that's what I want, more of our Mauritian communities, really.“

In this episode of Why Care?, host, Nadia Nagamootoo, has an inspiring conversation with the Permalloo Sisters - Shelina Permalloo, MasterChef winner and celebrated chef, and Pamela Permalloo Bass, a diversity, equity, and inclusion expert with extensive experience in the NHS. Together, they share stories of their Mauritian heritage, navigating identity as British Mauritian women, and breaking barriers in their respective industries. From exploring the richness of Mauritian cuisine to advocating for inclusion in the workplace, this episode is a heartfelt exploration of family, culture, and leadership.


Key Takeaways

Cultural heritage can be a source of strength and connection in navigating personal and professional challenges.

  • Shelina and Pamela’s stories showcase how embracing heritage can drive creativity, resilience and a sense of purpose.

  • Food and hospitality serve as powerful tools for preserving culture and fostering community.

Breaking barriers requires persistence, leadership and a commitment to inclusion.

  • Pamela emphasises the need for inclusive leadership to address systemic inequities and create meaningful change in organisations.

  • The Permalloo sisters highlight the importance of pushing boundaries and creating opportunities for others, paving the way for future generations.

Highlights

  • Growing Up as a Mauritian in the UK: Shelina and Pamela discuss their upbringing, family dynamics, and the influence of their Mauritian heritage on their identities.

  • Breaking Cultural Stereotypes: Pamela reflects on challenging traditional gender roles and cultural expectations, while Shelina shares her journey to embracing her heritage through food.

  • Advocating for Inclusion: Pamela highlights the importance of addressing systemic inequities in the NHS and fostering cultural awareness in leadership.

  • The Power of Food and Hospitality: Shelina describes how Mauritian cuisine connects people and celebrates diversity, becoming her way of preserving and sharing her roots.

  • Resilience and Leadership: The Permalloo sisters explore the importance of resilience, challenging the status quo, and leading with purpose in their fields.

  • The Reality of Success: Shelina shares the duality of her success, from celebrating Mauritian culture through food to facing criticism and navigating her unique position as a visible figure.

Links

  1. Avenir Consulting: https://linktr.ee/avenirconsultingservices


Falah Ahmad
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Why Care? 48 : Beneath the Surface with Michael Gunning