This year’s edition of the Jaipur Literature Festival was attended by a range of celebrated authors from Paul Lynch and Georgi Gospodinov to Perumal Murugan, Shyam Selvadurai and Kai Bird. This ability to gather some of the finest minds from around the world under one roof remains the festival’s unique selling proposition
Twenty years ago, it might have been Dum Pukht, Bukhara or Peshawri that made it for ITC with queues outside. Today, clearly, it’s Avartana, writes Karen Anand
Karen Anand, a food writer and consultant, shared her thoughts on food, health, and trends in an interview. She emphasizes the importance of finding a balance between taste, health, and tradition in modern Indian food, which can be fast without being unhealthy.
Anand's career in food began unexpectedly after returning to India and not finding work in her international relations field. Her success in promoting European food, which was new at the time, led her into food consultation and product development.
She believes the internet and chefs are major drivers of food trends today, with grazing and cocktails being some popular examples. While acknowledging these trends, she expresses concern about the increasing popularity of sweets and unhealthy options, advocating for mindful eating and moderation. She defines "healthy" as a lifestyle choice involving a balanced diet and exercise, emphasizing the importance of traditional ghar ka khana and portion control.