As if desis could get any more passionate about their comida, food diversity in India is rising with income (thanks, Rohit):
The amount spent nationally on meals outside the home has more than doubled in the past decade, to about $5 billion a year, and is expected to double again in about half that time…“In the 1970’s and 1980’s our international menu consisted of Russian salad, shrimp cocktail, French fries … oh, and something baked,” Mr. Desai said. “Recently, though, I had a conservative Hindu lady explain to me the specifics of a risotto she wants for her son’s wedding, and a traditional Bohri Muslim family requested Mongolian hot pots…”
“When I first opened Diva people would send back al dente risotto because they were used to very soft cooked basmati rice…”
While I’m complaining about not getting arbi, Bombayites were complaining about not getting Italian:
The legendary Crawford Market in Mumbai… sells broccoli, iceberg lettuce, thyme, basil, rosemary, bell peppers and other non-Indian vegetables. Pasta in bulk is available alongside basmati rice.
It’s all causing drama with the saas:
“Much to my mother’s chagrin I use store-bought yogurt,” said Rujuta Jog, 24, a recently married office worker. “And my mother-in-law was upset when she saw that I use Pillsbury flour to make rotis. She still prefers to buy wheat and grind it fresh…”“In the old days, since only the men worked outside the home, they were served first,” said Sathya Saran, a senior executive at Worldwide Media, one of India’s largest publishing companies. “Now everyone eats together, and the entire family dynamic has begun to shift.”
They’re quickly picking up the worst of the West, chhi!
… a celebrity chef whose cooking show, “Khana Khazana” (“Food Treasures”), is the longest-running program on Indian television, has an infomercial promoting the Sanjeev Kapoor Tandoor…
The story makes an inept comparison, Coffee Day is more like Starbucks than Dunkin’ Donuts:
Ms. Jog’s husband, Vivek, a computer sales executive, brought back an appreciation for American coffee culture when he returned from a stint working in Boston for Intel. Cafe Coffee Day, India’s answer to Dunkin’ Donuts, was ready for him…
One import I’d love to see is achar tasting, India’s answer to automated wine bars:
“In one local mall in Mumbai an eatery geared toward the Indian Gujarati middle class even offers a pickle tasting bar…”
Aaand… now I’m hungry. Off to make myself some masala tortelloni.
