Singapore
Tagore Society Launches ‘A Singapore Girl Cooks Abroad’ in Celebration of Culinary Heritage: The Tagore Society hosted a uniquely flavourful literary event with the launch of “A Singapore Girl Cooks Abroad – A Journey of Culinary Heritage” by Pauline Davenport Howard, blending food, culture and history into an immersive celebration. Held on December 12 at The Pod, National Library Building, the event marked Singapore’s 60th anniversary with a rich culinary tribute rooted in global traditions and Indian heritage.
Unlike conventional book launches, this evening delighted guests with fusion dishes prepared from Pauline’s own recipes, creating a live experience of the book’s spirit. Each dish paid homage to Rabindranath Tagore’s global outlook, highlighting food as a powerful yet often overlooked expression of culture. Notably, Tagore himself loved cooking and frequently experimented in the kitchen, seeing food as an extension of creativity and cultural exchange.
Adding historical depth, speakers referenced Pragyasundari Devi, daughter of Hemendranath Tagore, who documented Tagore family recipes in her seminal work Aamish and Niramish Aahar. Similarly, Thakurbarir Ranna, compiled by Purnima Thakur, daughter of Nalini Devi and granddaughter of Dipendranath Tagore, preserves many cherished recipes from the Tagore household. Together, these works underscore the Tagore family’s enduring culinary legacy.
In this tradition, Pauline Davenport Howard’s book celebrates global food culture while honouring Singapore’s distinctive taste palette, making it a fitting gift to commemorate the nation’s 60th year. Through her recipes, she bridges continents, cultures and memories with ease.
Born in Bengaluru to an English father and an Anglo-Indian mother, Pauline moved to Singapore at the age of seven. Growing up in a culturally blended home—where Shakespeare and sambhar coexisted—profoundly shaped her palate and worldview. She studied at Katong Convent, while her father worked at Singapore Cables and her mother taught English literature.
Over the years, Pauline’s life journey took her from Singapore to Hong Kong and Bangkok, and eventually to Australia, where she now resides on the Gold Coast with her second husband, Roy Howard. Throughout these transitions, cooking remained a constant companion. Known for her culinary finesse and elegant food presentation, she has spent years conducting cooking demonstrations and curating recipes inspired by her global experiences.
Encouraged by Dolly Davenport, cultural leader and creative director of the Tagore Society, Pauline wrote A Singapore Girl Cooks Abroad not merely as a cookbook, but as a memoir told through flavours. The book seamlessly blends Indian and Singaporean dishes with international influences, reflecting a life lived across cultures. Each chapter presents a themed menu, ranging from children’s birthday parties to formal dinners.
Dr Manojit Sen, President of the Tagore Society, said the book pays tribute to Rabindranath Tagore’s universal vision. He noted that the work highlights how culture, when expressed through food, becomes a joyful bridge rather than a barrier in a world often divided by differences.
Guests at the launch sampled an array of vibrant dishes, including lamb koftas, otak-otak, puris with smoked salmon and caviar, apple-guava salsa, and peanut brittle coconut ice cream served on poached pears. The menu mirrored Pauline’s own journey—bold, eclectic and deeply personal.
Priced at S$30, A Singapore Girl Cooks Abroad is available through the Tagore Society via dollysinhadavenport@gmail.com. The book offers readers a delicious passport into a global kitchen shaped by Singaporean roots and an Indian soul.
