Where Are My Fries?

What is it about food that makes us instantly happy? Why is binge eating so satisfying? We explore.

- Neena Haridas

Ever wondered why the television series Master Chef is such a worldwide rage? A bunch of ambitious homecooks work some poncy dish to please the educated palates of a few celebrated chefs. The intensity, stress, suspense, humiliation and finally the thrill of hearing, “this is cooked to perfection (a phrase I can’t stand to hear) and the applause that follows, you might as well think you were just crowned the King of England. Recently, chef Gordon Ramsay called our good ol’ kichhdi cooked by actor Priyanka Chopra “worse than dog food” on the Andrew Cohen show. He went on to diss pretty much everyone who had ever cooked including Martha Stewart. Every time one of these poor sods gets humiliated we feel personally affected. Of course, all this while sitting on our couch. We have the damnest idea what that “perfectly balanced” plate was. How does a “perfectly crispy”cricket (yes, the insect) taste anyway? But if Maat Preston likes it, well… who are we to judge him for his sartorial (I mean cuisine) choice? While we are at it, let me put it on record that I am personally offended by Gordon’s comment, and he must apologise to the entire nation.