AKSHAY BHARDWAJ

India is a young nation, a land full of citizens travelling the length and breadth of the globe and being exposed to the rich heritage, culture and trends everywhere. Indians have an acquired taste for adapting to different trends. The rapidly growing F&B industry is no different from this evolution. With each day we see a rise in demand for new food trends, dining concepts, and new flavours in the market, however, despite being one of the most populated countries in the world, we are not among the top 10 where people eat out. Being a chef and someone who has been a part of the evolution, I strongly believe that eating out for us is not a basic need, but an indulgence. The prevalent ‘home kitchen’ culture in our country is part of our lives. In a country as blessed as ours with ingredients and a culture where families eat together, the concept of eating out every day cannot be popular. In our culture, eating out is still considered an unhealthy practice and home-cooked food is often preferred. What is also amazing to see is how Indians establish a balance between both eating at home and eating out. Our quest to eat healthy and good food has led to the emergence of some great eateries and even if we are not in the top 10, the food industry in India is still booming.