The chicken definitely came before the egg in this article. It will not be exaggeration at all if I say that the advent of globalisation in India to a large extent is marked by the crazy popularity of Chinese food. The chilly chicken and its many Indian versions represent a phase that certainly precedes the 'ande ka funda' health fad. We are, as a race, gluttonous. Okay, providing for a few exceptions, there is no denying the basic fact. And honestly, in my categorisation, gluttony will not be one of the seven deadly sins. Pretension would. So, let us just try to find out (in limited scope) what the discerning Indian taste buds have taken a fancy to in the span of the last two decades or so.


Chinese, talking about food, has been there for a long time. Only, its popularity seems to have picked up in the last seventies or around. Until then the archetypal combination of Chowmein and Chilly chicken had been a niche preference and not too popular with the masses. Well known restaurants specialized on different items on the menu and Chinese food was an integral part of occasional eating out. When the pace really picked up, there was to be no stopping. What with instant noodles being introduced and take-away's and home delivery becoming a part of everyday life, chinese food is some households today is a part of regular fare.


Talking about instant noodles, it needs to be mentioned that the trend of instant and processed food also did start around the eighties. It was always there, I agree but it had not invaded daily habits as aggressively till then. Some people are always more resistant than others to adapt to a particular trend or convenience as the case may be, but today, with the boom in the retail segment there is no avoiding the ham, sausage and salami. Retail business is definitely 'Show buiness'.


Possibly the next permanent invasion was that of American fast food – the true beginning of pace in gustation. Mcdonalds did arrive pretty late on the scene and KFC had been held up for a long time but from when has India been dependent on Overseas authenticity. We had our own version of the burger in Vada-pao since time immemorial. In fact Mcdonalds is trying out tikkis and kebab variations to lure the Indian market and the huge potential it holds.


We come to the Pizza next. Italian cuisine has not been as popular in its stock offerings as it has been with Pizza. And Pasta to an extent. In fact the word 'pizza' is almost synonymous with 'home delivery'. Here too we have different Indian versions tried out from time to time. The unique thing about pizza is that after you have loaded youself with one, the after-taste of cheese makes you swear that you are not going to have another in a long time. Only to yearn for the next the very next day.


There were a few trends in the middle like mexican and fusion food but they were never a serious threat to tandoori and idli-dosa. I am not very sure wheteher sushi is ever going to win favour with the masses, but personally I would prefer to involve some temperature in what I eat.


The current trend, though arguably, is health food. However, it's going to be take some time before the health consciousness levels in India rise to western standards and people become conscious of what they are eating. Perhaps now you will understand why I chose the adjective 'gluttonous'. You see, however much Indians may want to be fit and healthy, it is a conscious effort on their part. A person who is tuned to moderation will not have to remind himself of what is good for health and what is not. But most of us, when we actually do eat right, have to suppress an instinct to eat very very wrong. This situation is not irreversible, but catalysts are required for the turn-around.


Till then, it is not our responsibility. Dial a pizza please. Extra cheese.