All I want for Christmas is Willy Wonka’s Television!
by Revathi Kolagani
Growing up reading Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory, how I wished that I could possess that television where an image of food on the screen, magically transformed into the actual food and you could reach in and grab it and relish! Well I’ve grown up and know that it’s not possible, but, secretly wish that scientists in an underground bunker somewhere are coming up with it!
It seems like the moment you turn on the television there is always a show about cooking and food. Be it the “fast and fresh”, “make in your own kitchen” kind or experienced chefs battling it out. Fusion cuisines seem to be taking over in the Indian kitchen with people using not typically Indian ingredients in their day to day meals. No matter how much you eat at each meal or how many meals you eat per day, there is a foodie in ALL of us. A well presented meat dish may convince even a stubborn vegetarian to convert!
I find it best to watch these shows while eating your meals, that way when you salivate watching it, you are satisfying your craving with some fodder at least. The latest arrival in these shows being a Kids version of it! Just looking at them with their wide eyes, innocent smiles and urge to learn can get you hooked. Now, seeing them make these dishes which you probably didn’t know existed makes you wonder if all those mud pies from your childhood days were any comparison to the gourmet miracles these kids are making.
Any article about cooking shows on television cannot be written without the mention of Nigella Lawson. The women drool (while counting calories) looking at her lavish dishes and the men have their eyes glued to the screen for *ahem*, other reasons. Comfort food according to her always includes a generous quantity of butter or cheese or chocolate. A picture may speak a thousand words but, watching her show, it feels like images barely count for anything. Her description of taste and colour is absolutely amazing and makes you appreciate every ingredient you use.
Let’s not forget our wonderful Indian Chefs with Vicky Ratnani going “veg”, Tarla Dalal, Sanjeev Kapoor, Madhur Jaffrey,Anjum Anand and many more. Every one of them embraces cooking techniques from other cultures and surprises you with a westernised “twist” on a traditional dish. Take a tip from each show you watch, pick up a spatula and try out something new!
Happy cooking J
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