Food smells - trapped in chalky kitchen paint?

[Bucketsofdinosaurs]

Any paint experts out there?
Moved house 3m ago and still have this slightly spicey foody smell it had when we moved in. The kitchen has no extractor fan and the walls have been painted with this stupid chalky paint that you can't wipe, it gets weird damp-type stains esp when when I've been cooking and greasey stuff seems to condense and hang off lintels and shelves. So, as the smell hasn't gone since we've been there
We can't afford to redo the kitchen completely (needs new floor, units and I'd like to move some walls around) and it seems a bit pointless to do much in the meantime. Obviously the paint will need to be covered with damp sealant or something but I'm wondering if it might not in fact wash off completely? It's so inappropriate for a kitchen, you wipe it with a damp cloth and it comes off on your cloth.
Any tips on smells or paint most appreciated thanks.

bizarre have no idea!

Sounds like it be original paint from the 50s or earlier (not sure if it is the same as 'distemper') - from what I remember reading it is possibly is bad for your health (I think it contained lead). You might be best off getting the wall stripped and painted with kitchen / eggshell paint.

No it was done in the last 3years, I think it must be something like a Farrow & Ball water-based emulsion - very posh and great colour, just utterly unsuitable for kitchens or bathrooms. A warning for everyone there I think!

Wow. That's bad news. You might want to contact them because I imagine even water-based emulsion shouldn't fail quite so quickly. I've used eggshell in the ensuite, bathroom and kitchen (ceilings) and it's been great. The ensuite and the kitchen in particular take a lot of moisture through heavy use and poor ventilation.

Are you undercoat etc. was used and the wall is sound (ie. not damp) - wouldn't want whatever you use next to fail too !