Rude Food: The Collected Food Writings of Vir Sanghvi

by Vir Sanghvi

If you like the smell of truffles, you also like sex. If, on the other hand, you think it reminds you of socks, then you're probably lousy in bed.' Star journalist and popular television anchor Vir Sanghvi wears many hats. By day he writes serious political columns, in the evenings he's at a studio interviewing a celebrity, and sometime in between he is both gourmet and gourmand. And when Sanghvi writes on food, he pulls no punches. Celebrating what is good and savagely attacking what is bad, he combines culinary history, travel and culture to rank among the best food writers of today. Inspired, erudite and wonderfully witty, Rude Food is a collection of Sanghvi's essays on food and drink. From breakfast rituals to sinful desserts, airlines khana to what our favourite film stars love to eat, from chefs at five-star hotels to food critics, Vir Sanghvi has his finger on the pulse of what we put into our stomachs and why. If you want to know how tandoori chicken arrived in India, the Three Golden Rules of sandwich making or the three kinds of bad service you should absolutely not put up with, who eats out the most in Bombay and where you are most likely to find Prime Minister Vajpayee tucking into his favourite cuisine, then this is the book you must have. Full of culinary secrets and gastronomic tips, Rude Food tells you the key to the perfect pizza, the easiest way to make risotto, what the nation's fast food of choice is, the truth about your cooking oil, and much much more. A feast of sparkling prose that entertains as it informs, this is a book to be read, consulted and savoured.

Genres: Food, India, Travel

Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Vir Sanghvi is an Indian print and television journalist, author, columnist and talk show host. He has been a member of many professional, academic and government bodies including the National Integration Council.

Reviews

[Girl from Mumbai · Rating 3 out of 5]

Leaving this here with no formal review, which is what I would usually do everytime I finish reading a book. However, if I had to give me 2 cents, 'Rude Food' makes for an interesting read especially because I can't afford to go to half the places mentioned in the book or have a palette as refined as the author to appreciate the fine art of sucking on raw Oysters or enjoy the taste of Foie Gras. For those who don't know, Foie Gras is the liver of a duck or goose fattened by force-feeding corn with a feeding tube, a process also known as gavage .

There is fine Wine , single malt Whisky, Vanilla laced Vodka and some witty anecdotes about rude waiters, terrible airline food and the madness around diet which every one fancies themselves on. It also doesn't help that the book is all about food and those who make or eat it, when the reader (yours truly) is confined within four walls of a tiny flat. In the times we are living in one would be lucky to eat Dal Chawal while reading about juicy, succulent, melt in your mouth Kakori Kabbabs, which sound like a distant dream.

So, my dear friends I shall let you form your own opinion about the book because I have more than a few but then I as mentioned earlier one does not possess the knowledge or the finesse that one needs to dine at most fancy places so I was happy to just read and savour them from afar.

For my Ulhasnagar born, Mumbai bred and a little confused Aussie tastebuds this plate of homemade Idli Sambhar is better value and more comforting than a meal at any fancy restaurant. Btw there are a few chapters on our staple Indian meals which did manage to warm the cockles of my self isolated pure desi heart.

[Nivedita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book


This is my first non-fiction book about food writings (It’s not a cookbook). I like to think of it as ‘tales about food’ and anything gastro related.

5 stars for Vir Sanghvi’s writing! I fell in love with his writing after I read a few articles published in Brunch magazine back in 2013. Superbly written!

Rude Food talks about his adventures with food and it’s history, drinks, hotels, chefs and snobby food aficionados.

Reading his articles in a collection has tickled my fancy to read about food adventures.

I’m definitely going to visit this book again and read random chapters.

My favorite food writings from this book -

1. The tale of sino-ludhiana cuisine
2. Hooked on Caviar
3. A sucker for oysters
4. About wine
5. Whiskey? No thanks
6. Hot on Idli-Dosa trial

And many more!!

[Lisa - The BookSirens Goddess · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delectable journey through the world of Indian cuisine, rich with history, anecdotes, and culinary insights. Sanghvi is a seasoned food critic and journalist who invites readers into a gastronomic adventure that spans regions, cultures, and palates.

I've previously read several of the author's articles before my visit to India (since I have an interest in food), and I have always enjoyed the clarity and honesty with which he writes. The book is a delightful mix of memoir, travelogue, and culinary critique, offering a unique perspective on India's diverse food landscape. I also love that the book covers a wide range of topics, from street vendors in India to Michelin-starred chefs.

[Eshank · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started this book after reading his short food and travel coloumns in Hindustan Times and must say that each chapter is comprised of interesting stories about food,their origins,evolution and Sanghvi's take on the incidents associted with each category, which presented in his sharp, witty, honest and sometimes blatant revelations make it a perfect good night read...!

[Lesley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of this was really interesting; but a collection of columns always runs a risk of having some that were v topical and now past their sell-by date, or ones that are really just filler (few columnists ring the bell every time).

[Satadru · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is as if a brown Alton Brown wrote a book about all sorts of food. Excellent, Excellent, Excellent.

Hmm, it is very hard to avoid food metaphors when reviewing a foodie book.

[Anuradha Goyal · Rating 2 out of 5]

https://www.anuradhagoyal.com/rude-fo...