Dr D wins with his wit yet again, answers chef who called Indian food 'terrible'

(He is one of the leading doctors in the country. He values his privacy (but not of his clients)

Dear Dr D,
Ever had vindaloo? It reminds me of the chemistry lab at high school — the stench of ammonia and H2SO4. Chicken tikka masala has the stench (also the appearance) of diapers. I am not offering my opinion here, I should clarify. These are objective facts. Ask anyone in the civilise d world. Indian food... the best thing that can be said about it is that it mitigates against other Indian food. Naan is disgusting but is needed to distract from saag-paneer and raita is inedible but what else is one to do to douse the fires in the mouth?

As an academic, I made this observation but was faced with the headlines: “Indian food is terrible and we pretend it isn’t, says international affairs professor”, adding that “critics called his comments a tasteless generalisation and racist”.


What can I say in reply that will prove my point?
White Guy, PhD
America

Dear White Guy,
I don’t think you need to worry. It’s okay to offer a strong opinion on things you know little about. That’s what Twitter is for. But purely from the perspective of science, I should say that taste is not a function of aesthetics but of evolution. What is beneficial will appear tasty and thus become ingrained in culture over millennia. Chew on that.

(Statutory warning: This humour column is not for the weak-kneed or the thin-skinned.)

Like To Instagram Your Food? Here's What Marco Pierre White, Garima Arora And Other Celeb Chefs Think

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Documenting on Instagram what’s on your plate seems to be the order of the day. But what do these chefs think when patrons whip out their phones and photograph the food?

Documenting on Instagram what’s on your plate seems to be the order of the day. But what do these chefs think when patrons whip out their phones and photograph the food?

Michelin star chef Marco Pierre White

“Everyone goes to restaurants for different reasons — some go for the ambiance, some for the name on the door, some to click pictures of the food. I go to restaurants to be fed. As it is, chefs spend so much time making dishes look pretty, that by the time the food reaches the table, it’s tepid. Enjoy the food, not your phone.”

Michelin star chef Marco Pierre White “Everyone goes to restaurants for different reasons — some go for the ambiance, some for the name on the door, some to click pictures of the food. I go to rest..

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Michelin Star Chef Garima Arora

“It is a two-way street and you have to meet halfway. The guests have to respect your food and we have to understand that the guests have to enjoy the experience in their own way.”

Michelin Star Chef Garima Arora “It is a two-way street and you have to meet halfway. The guests have to respect your food and we have to understand that the guests have to enjoy the experience in ..

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Manu Chandra, Chef Partner, Olive Group

“I see no harm in people Instagramming their food before eating. It’s far less harmful than being glued to your phone through out the meal. Also it’s free marketing for restaurants.

"People who use their phone during dinner, well that is rude. No message will end the world if you don’t check it whilst eating. I don’t use social media much and don’t see how it’s had any adverse effect on my life. I’m just fine, thank you.”

Manu Chandra, Chef Partner, Olive Group “I see no harm in people Instagramming their food before eating. It’s far less harmful than being glued to your phone through out the meal. Also it’s free ma..

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Chef And Restaurateur Floyd Cardoz

“Everyone’s dining experience is their own. If someone wants to Instagram their food, I do not have a problem with it. I love taking pictures of my food, I love recording what I have eaten — it helps me remember any credible dish I have had. I think people should do it, as long as they don’t use the flash and disturb other guests. You’re paying for it, you can do what you want. Taking pictures of what we have eaten have become a big part of how we live. I want my guests to have a good time.”

Chef And Restaurateur Floyd Cardoz “Everyone’s dining experience is their own. If someone wants to Instagram their food, I do not have a problem with it. I love taking pictures of my food, I love re..

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Indian Celebrity Chef And Restaurateur Ritu Dalmia

“I am not much of a social media person, but I have to admit I like Instagram. You see some amazing food pictures and videos on it. I think I am no one to judge whether it is rude or reasonable, that is for the other people on the table to decide. As a chef and host of the restaurant, I have no problem with it. They want to capture the beauty of their plate, I consider it as a compliment.”

Indian Celebrity Chef And Restaurateur Ritu Dalmia “I am not much of a social media person, but I have to admit I like Instagram. You see some amazing food pictures and videos on it. I think I am n..

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Michelin Star Chef Srijith Gopinathan

“This is obviously the trend of this generation and I believe it’s one of the best ways to connect, showcase and communicate. This is an idea that one should embrace looking at the numerous advantages around it rather than some of the annoying factors. Like everything, social media has its pros and cons. However, I feel the pros outweigh the cons. Using your phone on the table is reasonable as long as it’s used only to take a picture. Beyond this, it is just rude.”.

Michelin Star Chef Srijith Gopinathan “This is obviously the trend of this generation and I believe it’s one of the best ways to connect, showcase and communicate. This is an idea that one should e..

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