What food does an Englishman eat in India?
Straight English food, roast lamb or pork, potatoes, gravy made from the dish, brussels sprouts which are like bags of dirty water! And certain Indian foods.

You're familiar with most?
Yes, and unfortunately, a lot of bad Indian food as well. I've tasted all. I miss my straight English food here, bacon, fried eggs, sausages, black pudding, kippers for breakfast. And equally, when in London, I miss good Indian cooking.

Can you cook, English or Indian?
I can do roast chicken with a good gravy, the stuffing made of bread crumbs, fried onions, spices and herbs, eggs to make it stick together. I've tried making parathas and chapatis, but they came out in funny shapes!

What do you drink here?
I've got two loves. Tea and beer. I like the Darjeeling without lemon or milk. I have it straight. Or the dhaba tea, overboiled and with masala, strong and with milk and sugar. On the road, I always make a stop for this tea. In beer (some of the local stuff is ghastly!) I prefer the good old fashioned English bitter. But I've got to like some of local beers as well. I like my beer a little warm. Having it chilled kills the taste.

Any favourite restaurants in India?
Chaudhry's in Lucknow, Moti Mahal in Delhi, what butter chicken and tandoori chicken you get there. But ask me about bars! I like the Yacht Club in Bombay, the Bengal Club in Kolkata, the International Centre Bar in Delhi.

You smoke?
At one time, Trichy cigars and pipes with Dunhill tobacco. Not any more.

Which is your favourite Indian sweet?
The gulab jamun! It's naughty, sweet and sticky. But my favourite dessert is an English bread and butter pudding.

Which Indian journalists would you call to a dinner at home?
Saeed Naqvi, Vinod Mehta, Aveek Sarkar � he would appreciate the food, Madhu Jain, Satish Jacob and Tavleen Singh.