‘Matriarch’ opens Mayfair women’s club Jamavar

Co-founder Samyukta Nair said she hoped to provide “an antidote” to Mayfair’s gentlemen’s club
"Antidote”: Samyukta Nair will open the club at her restaurant, Jamavar. Guest speakers include ballet star Tamara Rojo

Superchef Florence Knight and ballet star Tamara Rojo are among the guest speakers lined up for a new women’s club in Mayfair.

Jamavar Women’s Club launches in Mount Street next month. The series of talks will be held at Jamavar, which serves traditional Indian food, starting with Knight on July 31. She worked for Raymond Blanc before becoming head chef at Polpetto and is also a columnist and author.

Jamavar co-founder Samyukta Nair, whose family owns hotels in India, said she hoped to provide “an antidote” to Mayfair’s gentlemen’s clubs and “to create an environment where women can come together to share their experiences and learn from each other. I chose the women speakers as they are all passionate about their subjects.”

She added: “I am from South India where it is very much a matriarchal society so this idea has always interested me.” Men are welcome, but only as a guest of a female ticketholder.

More speakers will be booked if the first series of talks is a success. Tickets cost £45 and include a welcome drink, canapes and a three-course meal.

Mayfair has a number of private members’ clubs only for women, including Grace Belgravia and The University Women’s Club. Members’ clubs in the area with restrictions on women include the Turf Club and Boodle’s.

Tickets for the events can be booked by emailing info@jamavarrestaurants.com or by calling 020 7499 1800. Upcoming events include Florence Knight on July 31, Kathryn Sargent on August 14, Isa Guha on August 21, Joa Studholme on September 18, and Tamara Rojo on September 25.

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