Abstract

This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the indie narrative-cooking video game Venba, developed by Visai Games. Set in 1980s Canada, the game explores themes of immigrant identity, familial bonds, and culinary heritage, focusing on a Tamil diasporic family. Players of the game take the guise of the titular protagonist, Venba, who endeavours to preserve her Tamil heritage by restoring her family's cherished cookbook. However, the cookbook is damaged in the move from India to Canada, and it is up to the players to engage in culinary puzzles to decipher and reconstruct recipes. Drawing from scholarly perspectives on cookbooks as cultural artefacts, this study examines the significance of culinary traditions in cultural preservation amidst migration. I suggest here that cookbooks like that of Venba’s serve as repositories for preserving cultural practices and collective memories, offering invaluable insights into the gastronomic traditions of ethnic communities. Venba employs culinary gameplay mechanics to invite players into the rich tapestry of Tamil cuisine and cultural mores, fostering cross-cultural understanding. The narrative architecture of the game underscores the transformative potential of food as an enduring medium for expression, connection, and cultural continuity amidst the vicissitudes of change. Ultimately, Venba emerges as a catalyst for introspection, encouraging players to embark on journeys of self-discovery and cultural appreciation while underscoring the imperative of embracing one's heritage with unwavering pride and authenticity.