For the love of food

India's celebrated award-winning food writer, Rashmi Uday Singh, took on a challenging mission when she decided to write a food guide for vegetarians travelling in Europe.  With over 15 years of  experience in tasting and tracking food trends, winning multiple awards, hosting TV shows, writing food columns and penning over 32 food books including India's first ever city restaurant guide, Rashmi admits to Masala! that writing a food guide for vegetarians in Europe was the most delightful milestone of her career.

You have churned out over 30 books on food. Which is closest to your heart and why?
Completing every book was a challenge in itself. However, I have to admit, the most challenging work was putting together restaurant guides featuring Mumbai and Parisian cuisine for the first time ever. The guide to Paris took a lot of effort as I had to only focus on vegetarian food. But when it was published, it was declared as the world's first complete vegetarian guide to Paris. Another book that comes to my mind is the award winning ‘Around The World In Eighty Plates.' Again I wrote it in memory of a 17-year-old friend of mine so it's very dear to my heart.

How did the idea to write ‘Ultimate Vegetarian Guide to Paris' come about?
I am very passionate about certain things. Paris is the most favourite city in the whole world. I also believe that vegetarianism is the future (gourmet vegetarian too). But most of all, it's the thrill of going into uncharted territories and the excitement of discovery that thrills me. However, I can say that I was immensely inspired by France's leading food critic, Francois Simon of Figaro. He kept telling me, "Hurry up and complete your book, since it is going to be the world's first guide." That's when I travelled to my beloved city, hired a chauffeured car, ate and photographed over 1,000 delicacies, shortlisted the finest vegetarian-friendly eateries, foodshops, enrolled in cooking classes and cajoled the greatest chefs in the world to part with some delicious rare recipes.

Can you share any amusing or memorable incident that you had when you were in Paris writing your book?
Well, I tasted many interesting delicacies that quite shocked me.  When I visited a popular ‘Pink Flamingo' chain of pizzerias I was quite delighted to eat a pizza named La Gandhi. It was purely vegetarian with Saag Paneer and Baba Ghanoush.  Again at a trendy new restaurant Thoumeiux I ate a fabulous ‘football pizza.' What I was struck by the most was the restaurants at the train station. Not only was the food brilliant but also each building glimmered with centuries of grandeur. Well besides these, my favourite joints were Angelina's for its decadently divine hot chocolate drunk in an old gilded tea room, France's oldest bakery ‘Stohrer' for its classic dessert Baba au Rhum and the signature Le puit de l'amour or Well of Love which is a  pillow-shaped, caramelized custard tart.

What do you like the most about French cuisine? What new lessons did you learn about this cuisine while researching for this book?
I love the way the French revere their food. I learnt many lessons from them. I entered many  kitchens including those of the great Michelin starred chefs; Pierre Gagnaire, Guy Savoy, Alain Ducasse and got some great recipes from them. The details can be found in my book.

Which cities in the world, do you think, have really good food to offer?
London, New York, Dubai, Singapore, Lyon and Paris.

How do food critics keep in shape when they have to review a number of restaurants in a day?
Well, I'd like to say that I have an exercise regimen. I swim every day. I play golf and I also do Pilates. 

What is your opinion on the Dubai food scene? Which are your favourite restaurants in this city?
The Dubai restaurant scene is amazing. I had just visited the Emirate last year. I stayed at The Armani and I practically ate out everywhere. Right from the restaurants at The Armani, Zuma, La Petite Maison to all the restaurants in The Dubai Mall, each place had something unique and exciting to offer.

Have you ever been tempted to become vegetarian?
Well, I love vegetarian food and eat it whenever I am not working. I love vegetables for their flavor, texture and variety. Still, there are times when I like trying something different as well.

What's your comfort food?
Dark chocolate!

What are you working on currently?
 I'm writing Dr RP Soonawala's biography. He's an amazing and inspirational legend.