Telltale Food, writings from the Fay Khoo Award 2017-2019

by Bettina Chua Abdullah (Editor), Raja Ummi Nadrah (Contributor)

Telltale Food features an astonishing variety of writings that are a delicious revelation: sensory, nourishing narratives exploring themes of hunger, discovery, growth, delight and sorrow, wrapped in the world of food, cooking and eating. In their mostly Asian-inspired stories, the writers of the Fay Khoo Award transport us from the kitchens they have inherited to the ones they have adopted, down buzzy streets and in swish restaurants. There is the taste of joyful celebration and the bite of heartbreak. There is food for comfort, and food for friends, and food for the gods. And there is humour and adventure and coming of age. Through the twin lenses of memory and reflection, this is food writing for the senses and the soul.

207 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2019

Reviews

[Atiqah Ghazali AlKashif · Rating 5 out of 5]

Telltale Food:
Writings from the Fay Khoo Award 2017-2019
edited by Bettina Chua Abdullah
Published by Hikayat
Goodread's Rating: 4.15/5
My Rating: 4.55/5

"It was not so much the physical pain but the humiliation, shame and regret. Emotionally, I was wrecked and I kept to my room. Dinner passed and then I heard my father going out to buy supper. Later, when he was back, the aroma of stir-fried kuih kak (radish cake) wafted into the room... All was forgiven."

This book was bought because of those who I've known who have rented out pieces of their life experiences into these papers. In my effort to support the local writing scene, somehow I too, have found bits of my soul magically written in this while I read every sentence of the stories. I guess that's why I get this book in the first place, it is to get to connect with everyone and myself yet again.

Some were funny, some were factual, some were plain rhetoric. But as sadistic masochist melancholic self, I kept on puncturing my own heart with sad stories. Healing, Onions, Rice, Khowa and Food Memories would forever etch in my brain map. Thank you for sharing a piece of yourself with me, I am truly honoured to read and immerse myself in it.

"I travelled to places that we had visited together, but this time I went alone. And I cooked. I cooked ferociously, and at times with painful desperation, day and night. There were tears, despite the outward portrayal of strength. I kept on cooking, even when there was no one to eat the food. I kept on cooking, even when I wasn't able to block out the memory of his laughter when I told him I had used salt instead of sugar in that cheesecake I had baked for him. I kept on cooking: this time for myself."

📸: @atiqahnikghazali
#MalaysiaMembaca

[Grace Tang · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love, love, love this collection of writing about my favourite kind of food - Malaysian food.

I purchased this book at Hikayat Bookstore in Penang, when I was back home for the holidays after spending my first year in Australia for tertiary studies. The writings remedied my homesickness when I got back to Australia in 2020 and realised Malaysian food will not be as accessible as it used to be anymore, at least for the next few years. So proud to see the food of my culture being appreciated in words and literature.

[Regina Ibrahim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Knowing that I love food, stories, and Fay Khoo, this book was given to me as a present.
Good quality for a paperback. Anthology of shorts about food and living. Let me pick one from each year.

2017 – Escargots de Bourgogne by Marc de Faoite
2018 - Paet Puja by Deepika Mukherjee
2019 – The Taste of Goodbye by Paula Tan Poh Lin

It’s a joy to smile alone reading on some ingredients and stories unfolding.

[Kendra · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really reallly wanted to like this book - unfortunately it was a bit of a struggle to get through. While there were a few gems, and I did learn a few new things about Malaysian food, not a single one of the stories grabbed me and pulled me in. To top it off a lot of it was just really bad writing.

[Li Kuan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am Malaysian, this book contains anecdotes connected to mainly local cuisines, family stories intertwined with food. Love that I can relate to some stories. As a non foodie, too, I find some stories a learning experience, reading the detailed descriptions of recipes coming to life. Am sure it will be a delightful read for any Malaysian, or expats working here and exploring the local cuisine.

[Redza · Rating 3 out of 5]

As any compilation goes, the quality ranges. Still had some major impressive highlights and hidden gems that made it worth the read.